Dentures

What You Need to Know about Full and Partial Dentures in Wichita, KS

Do you need full or partial dentures in Wichita, KS? Call 316-684-4921 today to schedule a consultation with the experts at Blyholder Family Dentistry.

Dentures provide an affordable, effective way for people to rebuild their smiles. Unfortunately, people often associate them with old age, but the truth is that people of any age might need full or partial dentures.

Most dentists offer two types. Full dentures replace the entire upper or lower row of teeth, while partial dentures replace only some teeth. When partials replace nonadjacent teeth, a metal framework often connects the appliance.

To learn more about dental prosthetics and other restorative dentistry, keep reading or reach out to our friendly staff.

Are Dental Prosthetics Right for Me?

Patients who consider dentures are often candidates for other restorative dental procedures such as bridges and implants.

Denture Versus Implant

Dental implants and implant-supported appliances carry a high cost and require dental surgery. However, many patients prefer dentures because they are affordable and noninvasive.

Denture Versus Dental Bridge

Dental bridges are solutions for patients who have lost between one and four adjacent teeth. These devices require neighboring teeth that are strong enough to support the bridge. If your natural teeth are loose or weakened from gum disease, jaw damage, infection, or any other cause, traditional dentures will be a better choice for you.

What to Expect When You’re Getting a Dental Prosthetic in Wichita, KS

Before you get full or partials, your dentist will take a look at your medical history and x-rays of your teeth. During the consultation, you will discuss why you are interested in getting dentures, your expectations, and whether they are the right kind of dental prosthetic for you.

Many candidates for dental prosthetics also need one or more tooth extractions. For this reason, recovery time is usually an essential part of the process. Your gums and jaw will change shape as the swelling goes down. Your dentist will give you temporary appliances to use while you heal so that you can start getting used to them right away.

Your dentist will create a more permanent custom prosthetic once your jaw has settled into its new shape. Then, in a follow-up appointment, your dentist will replace the temporary dentures with the permanent ones.

Throughout the process, you might find that your gums are sore in places where the denture does not fit as well as it could. If that happens, your dentist can smooth out, cutaway, or grind down parts of the denture so that they do not cause you as much discomfort.

You might experience bone loss due to tooth extractions. In some cases, your dentist might order bone grafts to counteract bone loss and provide more support for the dentures, particularly for the upper teeth.

Recovering from the Procedure

In the weeks and months after you get your dental prosthetic, eating and talking may differ from what you used. They might feel strange in your mouth and might even make you gag. Also, their texture might be unfamiliar at first when you are eating. You will gradually get used to your dentures but talk to your dentist if something bothers you.

How to Care for Your Dentures

  • Clean them daily
  • Avoid harsh cleaners
  • If you don’t wear your the dental prosthetic overnight, soak them in a solution to prevent drying
  • Use mouthwash
  • Rinse them thoroughly after cleaning

Cost of Dentures

Partial dentures cost between a few hundred dollars on the low end to over $2,000, depending on the materials and the type of tooth they are replacing.

Full sets can cost as low as a few hundred dollars for a single arch and about a thousand dollars for a set of upper and lowers. Consider the cost of cleaning supplies and adhesive, the cost of having impressions made, and the cost of the dentures themselves.

Why Choose Blyholder Family Dentistry for Your Dentures?

The decision to get dentures is a personal one. Blyholder Family Dentistry is a team of compassionate and professional dentists, dental hygienists, and staff. We can guide you through the process of tooth extraction and creating full or partial dentures in Wichita, KS.

We will help you care for and use your dental prosthetics safely and effectively to improve your quality of life. You can reach us at 316-684-4921. So call today to take the first step and build a smile that you can be proud of.