Dentures in Woburn, MA

In Massachusetts, one in 10 older adults is missing all their teeth due to gum disease or decay. Many more are missing at least some permanent teeth. This significant tooth loss can impact daily activities like eating, speaking, and smiling, ultimately leading to a lower quality of life. Fortunately, dentures provide an effective solution for those struggling with tooth loss, offering functional and aesthetic benefits.

At Four Corners Dental Care, we genuinely care about our patients’ well-being. To meet each patient’s unique needs, we offer a variety of denture options, including full, partial, and implant-supported dentures. Whether you are missing a few teeth or all of them, our tooth replacement solutions can help you regain the confidence to live life to the fullest.

Understanding Dentures

Dentures are a tried-and-true solution for replacing missing teeth. These customized prosthetics are a valuable tool for a wide variety of individuals with unique needs. The base of a denture, which mimics the gums, is typically made from acrylic resin due to its strength, durability, and biocompatibility. This material can be tinted to match the color of your natural gums, offering aesthetic flexibility. During the denture fabrication process, the acrylic resin is easily molded to ensure a perfect fit. This material is also lightweight and cost-effective, making it a popular choice for creating both the base and the false teeth on dentures.

However, many dentures use composite resin (a hybrid of acrylic resin with reinforcing materials) or porcelain for the false teeth. Porcelain is renowned for its incredibly natural appearance and durability, making it an excellent choice for achieving a beautiful and functional smile.

Types of Dentures

Dentures in Woburn, MA | Four Corners Dental CareVarious types of dentures are available to accommodate different needs and preferences. These include full, partial, and implant dentures. Each option is customized to meet your exact needs.

Full (or Complete) Dentures

These removable prosthetics replace an entire arch of missing teeth. You may need full dentures on your top arch, bottom arch, or both to restore your ability to eat, speak, and smile confidently.

Partial Dentures

We use partial dentures for patients who have lost some (but not all) of their teeth. They are similar in construction to full dentures but don’t include a full arch of false teeth. Instead, they fill in the spaces only where teeth are missing. The partials are fabricated with plastic or metal clasps that attach to healthy remaining teeth to stay in place. Like full dentures, you can remove them for cleaning and sleeping.

Implant Dentures

Implant dentures have become the gold standard in tooth replacement. Dental implants create a solid foundation for the false teeth, ensuring they never budge. A dental implant is a small metal screw that we place in your jawbone. We place several implants in strategic positions throughout the jaw to create a scaffold for dentures. The implants integrate with the bone over time, becoming permanent fixtures in your mouth. The prosthetic itself can be removable or permanently cemented, depending on your preferences.

The Benefits of Dental Implants

Many of our patients prefer implant dentures because of the many immediate and long-term benefits they provide, such as:

  • Enhanced stability, security, and convenience: Dental implants provide a stable and secure foundation for dental appliances, preventing them from moving while you eat and speak. Unlike removable prosthetics, implant-supported dentures do not require adhesives and are easier to maintain, offering a hassle-free option for tooth replacement.
  • Improved comfort: Because implants anchor the dentures firmly in place, they eliminate the discomfort often associated with removable prosthetics, such as sore spots and irritation.
  • Superior chewing ability: With the added stability of implants, you can chew a wider variety of foods more effectively, allowing for a more balanced and enjoyable diet.
  • Natural look and feel: Implant dentures look, feel, and function more like natural teeth, giving you the confidence to smile, speak, and eat naturally.
  • Better bone health: Implants mimic your natural tooth roots, preserving your jaw and facial structure by stimulating the bone when you bite and chew. This process prevents bone deterioration that follows tooth loss.
  • Greater longevity: Traditional dental implants are highly durable and can last many years with proper care, making them a long-term solution for missing teeth.

The Denture Process

The first step in the denture process is a free consultation, which allows us to evaluate your oral health and discuss your needs, preferences, and budget. We’ll then begin the preparation process, which includes taking X-rays and designing your tailored treatment plan.

If you have teeth that require extraction, we will remove them first and then allow the gums to heal. Everyone is different, but healing generally takes several weeks to a few months.

Once your gums recover, we will take impressions of your mouth to create a mold. Using this mold, we will create a wax model of your dentures. You’ll try the wax model, and together, we’ll make sure the dentures fit and look the way you intended. Based on your feedback, we can make adjustments.

After the wax try-in, the dental lab creates your final prosthetic based on the approved model. When ready, you’ll return to the office, and we’ll fit your custom dentures. We’ll also instruct you on caring for your false teeth to keep them in excellent condition and extend their life.

Getting Implant Dentures

Dentures in Woburn, MA | Four Corners Dental CareIf you opt for implant dentures, we need to surgically place the implants into your jaw. After placement, the gums and jaw need several months to heal. During this phase, the implant fuses with the jawbone, creating a solid foundation for the prosthetic. Once the implants have integrated with the bone, we will attach the small connecting abutments and take the necessary impressions and molds. Dental lab technicians then craft your custom denture to connect to the implant posts. While a few more steps are involved with dental implant solutions, the result is a highly stable and beautiful restoration that allows you to eat, speak, and smile confidently.

Find Your Perfect Denture Solution at Four Corners Dental Care

At Four Corners Dental Care in Woburn, MA, we are dedicated to helping you find the perfect denture solution for your unique needs. Whether you need full, partial, or implant-supported dentures, our experienced team is here to provide you with the highest quality care. We understand how a healthy, confident smile can impact your life, and we are committed to helping you make informed decisions.

Arrange a free consultation with us today, and let us help you achieve a beautiful, functional smile!

Frequently Asked Questions

Several factors impact the cost of dentures. These include:

  • The type of denture
  • Materials used
  • The complexity of the case (and whether additional procedures are required)
  • Lab fees
  • Insurance coverage

The great variability in denture cost is one reason we offer free consultations. At your consultation, we’ll discuss your dental needs and goals and review your insurance coverage to determine the best option for your situation. We’ll also provide information about the flexible financing plans we offer by partnering with CareCredit, a healthcare financing company. For those looking for alternative options, we also have an in-office savings plan that provides discounts on procedures like dentures.

Jawbone deterioration is a natural consequence of tooth loss. Unfortunately, it can lead to changes in your facial structure. To prevent a sunken appearance, we highly recommend implant-supported dentures. This option provides superior support and stimulates the jawbone, helping to reduce bone loss.

Choosing high-quality dentures that fit snugly will also help preserve your facial appearance. Additionally, regular visits for adjustments ensure your dentures maintain their fit and continue to support your facial structure. Maintaining good oral hygiene and a balanced diet further support your oral health.

A bone graft might be necessary for dental implants if you have insufficient space in the jawbone to support the implants. This is sometimes the case when an individual has had teeth missing for quite some time. Because of the missing teeth, the jawbone gradually resorbs, losing volume and density.

If a bone graft is necessary, it can significantly enhance the success rate and longevity of your dental implants. The procedure involves transplanting bone tissue to the jaw to create a solid foundation for the implants. When designing your treatment plan, we will evaluate your oral health and take X-rays to determine if a bone graft is needed.