Dentures – Lincoln, NE
Improve Your Day-to-Day Life by Recreating Your Teeth
If you’ve lost most or all of your teeth, don’t worry; you’re not alone. About 40 million adults in the U.S. are missing all of their teeth, according to the American College of Prosthodontists. The impact of missing teeth can complicate simple tasks like speaking or eating. Not to mention, it can hinder your self-confidence. Here at South Ridge Dental, Dr. Ryan Shaffer and Dr. Steven Shaffer can vastly improve your day-to-day life by recreating your teeth with customized dentures. Contact our dental office today to find out if dentures in Lincoln, NE are right for you!
Why Choose South Ridge Dental for Dentures?
- Friendly, Down-to-Earth Dental Office Atmosphere
- Dentists with 30+ Years of Collective Experience
- State-of-the-Art Implant Dentures Available
Who Is a Good Candidate for Dentures?
Whether you’re missing just a handful of teeth or all of them, chances are you’re eligible for dentures. To determine if you’re a good fit for this smile solution, our dentists will examine your mouth during an initial consultation. If we detect any untreated oral health issues, like gum infections or decay in remaining teeth, we’ll address those before moving forward with the dentures process.
Types of Dentures
Thanks to the latest innovations in dental technology, today’s dentures appear more lifelike and fit more comfortably than ever before. Depending on your specific circumstances, your dentist in Lincoln will recommend one of the three types of dentures to complete your smile:
Partial Dentures
Also known simply as partials, partial dentures fill the gaps in your grin when you still have some teeth left. This prosthetic, consisting of a gum-colored base and custom-made artificial teeth, clasps behind your remaining teeth. Once your partial is in place, onlookers shouldn’t be able to tell which teeth are real and which are not!
Full Dentures
A full denture brings back an entire arch of lost teeth at the same time. Like partials, full dentures have a pink base and realistic teeth, but this prosthetic stays in place with natural suction against the gums, adhesive, or a combination of the two.
Implant Dentures
For a longer-lasting solution that won’t slip, we may suggest an implant denture. We can secure a full or partial denture onto a small number of dental implants that are surgically placed in the jawbone. Implant dentures restore more chewing power and feel more natural than traditional dentures.
The Benefits of Dentures
Over the years, dentures have helped countless patients replace their missing teeth in Lincoln. Here are some of the benefits you can expect to enjoy when you choose this solution:
- Enhanced chewing power
- An affordable tooth replacement
- Prosthetics 100% customized for each patient
- Can last for up to 10 years with the right aftercare
- Easy cleaning
- Smile with confidence again
Understanding the Cost of Dentures
Dentures in Lincoln are one of the most cost-effective ways to address the loss of multiple teeth. Their price depends on a number of factors, so we will not be able to provide you with an accurate cost estimate until you visit us for your consultation. Our team will help you understand the financial aspects of your care and assist you as you explore payment options.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Dentures
Some of the biggest factors that influence the cost of dentures in Lincoln are:
- Preparatory procedures. Before getting dentures, some patients need to have their remaining natural teeth extracted or undergo gum disease therapy.
- The materials used. Dentures can be made out of various materials. For example, acrylic teeth may have a different price than porcelain ones. We strive to always use top-quality materials.
- The type of denture. Implant dentures tend to cost more than partial dentures or traditional full dentures.
Some dental offices may advertise “cheap” prices for dentures. Be wary of such offers — they might provide unsatisfactory results.
Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?
Implant dentures tend to cost significantly more because they require a complex treatment process, which may involve one or more surgeries. However, as an experienced denture dentist in Lincoln, we believe that implant dentures are worth the price! They offer a range of health and functional benefits that you cannot get from traditional tooth replacement. For example, they preserve the jawbone and will not slip around in the mouth. Plus, they can last for many years. In the long run, they may actually cost less than traditional dentures that need to be replaced every 5 – 8 years or so.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?
Most dental insurance plans do cover dentures. This treatment is usually classed as a “major procedure,” which means that 40 – 50% of its price is likely to be covered, up to the amount of your insurance plan’s annual maximum. Our dental office is in-network with several major insurance companies. We will be happy to verify your coverage and file claims on your behalf. Our goal is to help you use your policy to your greatest financial advantage.
Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable
In addition to helping you navigate your insurance, we offer a few provisions that may make dentures more affordable:
- We are partnered with CareCredit, a third-party lender that offers flexible payment plans. Many of their financing options come with little to no interest, and most patients’ credit scores are adequate to qualify for CareCredit.
- In-house membership plan. If you do not have insurance, ask about our membership plan. For a reasonable annual fee, you can enjoy all necessary preventive care and a significant discount on a wide range of other services.
Are you ready to learn more about dentures and their cost? Schedule a consultation with our friendly team today!
Dentures Frequently Asked Questions
Even if you’re positive that you want to rebuild your smile with dentures in Lincoln, chances are you have some questions that need answering beforehand. Below, you’ll find the answers to a few of the most common questions that our team gets asked about dentures. Of course, we’re also happy to provide you with any additional information you need when you visit us for a dentures consultation!
Can I Sleep in My Dentures?
When we first give you your denture, we’ll typically ask that you keep the prosthetic in your mouth for a full 24 hours. After that, though, it’s best to take your denture out before bed. After the pressure of supporting your denture all day, your gums and jaw need some time to recover. Removing your teeth at night presents the perfect opportunity.
Another reason to take your dentures out at night is to minimize bacterial growth. Bacteria thrive in dark, damp environments, making the space in between your denture and your gums very attractive to them. If you don’t remove and clean your dentures on a nightly basis, you’ll have a higher risk of bad breath, odorous dentures, and infections like gum disease and pneumonia. For that reason, let your dentures soak overnight in a cool or room-temperature container of denture cleaning solution.
Can I Use Regular Toothpaste to Clean My Dentures?
Just because dentures can’t develop cavities doesn’t mean you shouldn’t brush and rinse them every day. However, avoid using regular toothpaste to clean your dentures. Toothpaste is actually abrasive to dentures; it can leave tiny cracks in your prosthetic that can cause severe damage over time.
Instead, your denture dentist in Lincoln suggests cleaning your dentures with a soft-bristled toothbrush and mild liquid hand soap. Afterward, rinse off your prosthetic and brush your gums and tongue before inserting the denture back into your mouth. This will cut down on the buildup of plaque while also clearing away any lingering adhesive residue on your gums.
What Can’t You Eat with Dentures?
Dentures allow you to eat a much more varied diet than you can with missing teeth, but you should still exercise caution around certain foods. For example, sticky items like gummy candies and peanut butter could pull dentures out of place. Shelled nuts, popcorn, sunflower seeds, and other foods consisting of tiny pieces can not only be challenging to chew with dentures, but they can get trapped underneath your prosthetic and attract bacteria. Lastly, avoid placing excessive stress on your dentures by staying away from tough foods like steak, apples, and carrot sticks.
Should I Have All of My Teeth Pulled to Get Dentures?
As realistic and comfortable as modern tooth replacements are, nothing beats your home-grown pearly whites. That’s why our dentists will only recommend extracting a tooth when there are no viable options for repairing it. If you still have some healthy teeth remaining, we will typically suggest that you keep those teeth and opt for a partial denture instead of a full denture. Of course, we can go over your options during your consultation to select the best solution for your unique smile.