Designing Beautiful SmilesDentures – Plano, TX
Bid Farewell to Gaps in Your Smile
Do you suffer from extensive tooth loss? You’re not alone. According to the American College of Prosthodontists (ACP), roughly 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth and 40 million are missing all their teeth. If you contribute to either statistic, you understand just how much tooth loss can affect your quality of life. Fortunately, you don’t have to live that way forever. At Parkway Vista Dental, our restorative dentist offers dentures to help rebuild your smile and recharge your confidence. If you’re ready to bid farewell to gaps in your smile, continue reading or schedule a consultation with our team today!
Who Is a Good Candidate for Dentures?
Whether you’re missing several teeth or an entire arch, you may be eligible to get dentures. This method of tooth replacement is excellent for patients who want to enjoy a complete, functioning smile once again. During your consultation, your dentist in Plano will conduct an oral examination to determine if this solution is right for you. It’s incredibly important that you have healthy gums to support your new prosthetics. That said, if you have problems like tooth decay or gum disease, you’ll need to work the appropriate care into your treatment before you can start the denture process.
Types of Dentures
During a consultation, our dentist will assess your goals and needs to narrow down the right type of denture for you. Based on their findings, they will recommend one of the following options:
Partial Dentures
If you’re only missing a few teeth, partial dentures may be the ideal option for you. They fit between the teeth, seamlessly closing gaps throughout your smile. The gum-colored base and custom-shaded teeth are held in place using small metal clasps that loop around the neighboring teeth.
Full Dentures
For patients missing an entire row of teeth, full dentures are an excellent solution to consider. They also have a discreet, gum-colored base and natural-looking teeth like partials. However, full dentures sit on top of the gums and are held in place using natural suction or a small amount of denture adhesive.
Implant Dentures
Do you want unmatched stability and durability? You might want to consider getting implant-retained dentures. A full or partial denture is attached to several dental implants that are surgically inserted into the jawbone. Because the titanium posts are placed in the bone, they stimulate it to prevent deterioration and your new teeth benefit from great stability. Additionally, you can expect to enjoy your new smile for several decades with proper care and maintenance!
The Benefits of Dentures
Patients who choose to get dentures in Plano can expect numerous benefits including:
- Renewed ability to eat a nutritious diet
- Natural-looking results
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Affordable and trusted method of tooth replacement
- Improved self-confidence
- Lifespan that extends well over a decade with proper care and maintenance
Denture FAQs
Replacing your missing teeth is not a decision to made lightly. Before choosing to get dentures, you should do plenty of research about what to expect. As an experienced denture dentist in Plano, Dr. Kamali will gladly simplify this process for you by answering any questions you may have. That way, you can be sure whether dentures are right for you. Until your visit with her, feel free to browse the answers to some frequently asked questions about dentures below.
What Is the Average Age for Dentures?
Despite the stereotype that dentures are only for the elderly, adults of all ages can actually be candidates for dentures. That said, the risk of tooth loss generally increases with age. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, about one-third of adults in the U. S. aged 20 to 39 are missing at least one tooth, compared to two-thirds of adults between the ages of 40 and 64.
Will Dentures Change the Shape of My Face?
One reason that age-related stereotypes about dentures might persist is due to the facial changes that take place after teeth are lost. Without support from your natural teeth, your jawbone begins to weaken and shrink. Eventually, this causes the muscles in your face to droop, which may lead to a sunken appearance that ages you.
Luckily, dentures can provide support for collapsed facial muscles and make you look younger. Implant dentures are even more effective at maintaining your youthful glow, as dental implants prevent the jawbone from changing shape entirely and can even reverse jawbone loss that has already begun.
Can You Still Eat Steak with Dentures?
Steak and other tough meats can be difficult to chew when you have dentures, but it’s still doable if you take certain precautions. For example, opt for tenderloin and other beef cuts that don’t have as many muscle fibers or connective tissues; these elements often contribute to the difficulty of chewing steak with dentures. Before you begin eating, ensure the meat is thoroughly tenderized, and cut it up into tiny, bite-sized chunks that are easier to chew. Additionally, make sure your dentures fit correctly. If you’re still adjusting to them, a small amount of adhesive can hold them in place while you eat.
Are Dentures Tax Deductible?
Dentures can be considered a medical expense. Therefore, they’re typically tax deductible. It’s worth mentioning, though, that you’ll need to itemize the expense rather than taking a standard deduction. You can only do so if the expense is greater than 7.5% of your gross adjusted income. Also, you cannot deduct the costs that were reimbursed or covered by dental insurance. If you’re getting an implant denture, there’s a chance that you could deduct the cost of the dental implants as well as that of the denture. For any further questions related to taxes and dentures, it’s best to reach out to a local tax attorney or certified public accountant.