Dentures – Worcester, MA

Restoring Your Smile to a Functional State

Millions of Americans are missing at least some of their teeth—so if you’ve lost one or more of your pearly whites, no matter the reason, you are far from alone! Fortunately, dentures are one of the many possible methods of restoring your smile to a functional state and revitalizing your ability to eat, speak, laugh, and so on. At Community Dentists of Worcester, we’ve helped to outfit countless patients with dentures, and we’d be more than happy to assist you with rebuilding your smile. Continue reading below to learn a little more about what dentures in Worcester are capable of, or feel free to contact us today to schedule a consultation.

Why Choose Community Dentists of Worcester for Dentures?

  • Friendly and Experienced Dental Team
  • Restorations Crafted from High-Quality Materials
  • Dental Insurance and Medicaid Accepted

Who’s a Good Candidate for Dentures?

a closeup of dentures in Worcester

Whether you’re missing just a few teeth or even an entire arch, you might be an ideal candidate for dentures—but to determine if this incredible solution will work for you, you’ll need to come visit us for a consultation first. Dr. Zajac won’t just discuss whether or not dentures can assist your smile; he’ll also be able to talk about which type will work best for your situation. Even if you’re not immediately eligible for them, he’ll work with you to get your mouth ready—everyone deserves the chance to smile brightly once more!

Effects of Missing Teeth

a person with a missing back tooth

Perhaps the biggest issue associated with missing teeth is the likelihood of additional teeth falling out. If you have gaps in your grin, the remaining natural teeth adjacent to these spaces can begin to lean toward them, eventually falling out. This can start an unfavorable chain reaction, leading to additional tooth loss without professional intervention.

Not to mention, tooth loss can also negatively affect your jawbone; it can begin to deteriorate prematurely due to the lack of stimulation that was initially being provided by your teeth. This will cause the bone tissue to weaken, further increasing the risk of tooth loss. You might also experience facial sagging, difficulty eating, and speech impediments that lead to reduced self-esteem.

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

a closeup of a model of dentures

The majority of patients who suffer from extensive tooth loss are candidates for dentures, but there are a few things that might need to be taken care of before the prosthetics can be delivered. When you visit us for a consultation, we’ll inspect your mouth and check for a few things: we’ll look at your gum health, assess your jawbone’s density, and determine if any remaining teeth might prevent the dentures from functioning properly. Using this information, we can determine which denture (partial, full, or implant-retained) is best for your needs. Regardless of the type you receive, you’ll need to commit to caring for them, so they remain clean, beautiful, and functional.

Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options

a patient speaking with a dental assistant

There are several ways to replace missing teeth these days thanks to numerous advancements in dental technology; while dentures remain tried-and-true, other options have also emerged as both viable and comfortable. Plus, these options also offer their own unique benefits. Here’s more about a couple of the other tooth replacement solutions we offer:

  • Dental bridges – Bridges are excellent for patients missing one or a few teeth. They require healthy adjacent teeth surrounding the gap for support, but once anchored, they can last for several years with proper care. They’re durable, look natural, and are very easy to maintain!
  • Dental implants – These restorations consist of titanium posts that are directly embedded into the jawbone. They require a patient to have adequate bone density and oral health, but offer incredible support and numerous unique oral health benefits, as well as being able to last for decades without needing specialized maintenance.

Learn More About Dental Bridges

Learn More About Dental Implants

Types of Dentures

a patient talking with their dentist

Thanks to advancements in dental technology, dentures are now more sophisticated and customizable than ever before! There are several types of dentures, all designed with a patient’s specific needs in mind. Once you’ve attended your consultation and Dr. Zajac has inspected your mouth, he’ll be able to suggest one of the following options:

Partial Dentures

different types of dentures

As their name implies, partial dentures are used to replace some missing teeth, rather than all of them. This is done through the use of a clasp that’s attached to your remaining natural teeth; a gum-colored base and custom prosthetic teeth are then used to complete your existing smile.

Full Dentures

a graphic render of partial dentures

Full dentures are optimal for patients who are missing an entire arch of teeth. These also employ discreet, gum-colored bases and lifelike replacement teeth; however, they can’t be attached to adjacent teeth since there aren’t any present! Instead, they rely on a combination of denture adhesives, suction, and muscle control to remain stable.

Implant Dentures

full dentures sitting on a table in Worcester

Implant dentures combine the benefits of traditional dentures with the ingenuity of dental implants. Rather than relying on clasps, adhesives, or other means of stability, implant dentures are secured with titanium posts that are surgically embedded directly into the jawbone. Needless to say, this option provides maximum stability and totally eliminates any unwanted movement, in addition to numerous other unique benefits.

The Benefits of Dentures

a graphic render of implant dentures

Dentures have been assisting patients with compromised smiles for many decades, and they are accompanied by several notable benefits:

  • Cost-effective
  • Can effectively restore your bite and oral functionality
  • Fully customized for each patient
  • Completely natural-looking
  • Easy to clean and maintain
  • Can last for 10 years with proper care

Understanding the Cost of Dentures

Dentures are a great investment because they positively impact both the look and function of your smile. With that said, it’s completely natural to want to have a general idea of the price before committing to this tooth-replacement solution. Don’t worry – we will help you navigate the financial side of your treatment at your consultation. In the meantime, you can learn more on the topic right here!

Factors That Affect the Cost of Dentures

In order to create your treatment plan and determine the associated costs, we need to first determine:

  • If you need gum disease treatment, tooth extractions, or any other preparatory work.
  • How extensive your tooth loss is.
  • Which materials will be used to craft your dentures, like porcelain or acrylic.

Regarding the last point, it’s important that we mention that investing in a higher quality material may be the best choice for your smile and wallet, even if the upfront price is more costly. After all, they will last significantly longer while also improving your overall quality of life.

Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?

Since implant dentures require oral surgery, the short answer is “yes.” Before that persuades you to opt for traditional dentures, it’s important to know that dental implants can last for several decades with proper care. As a result, there’s a good chance they are the better choice for your wallet in the long-term. Furthermore, dental implants are the only tooth-replacement solution that can stimulate your jawbone, and they provide an unparalleled level of stability.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?

It’s very common for dental insurance plans to cover medically necessary treatments. So, there’s a good chance that your provider will cover upwards of 50% of the total cost! As always, it’s worth reading through the fine print on your plan or reaching out to your provider to double-check beforehand.

Our team at Community Dentists of Worcester is also here to help! We are proud to work with many popular dental insurance companies, including Guardian, Humana, Mass Health, and several others.

Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable

One of the easiest ways to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses is by checking what our latest special offers are. However, that isn’t the only way to make your treatment more affordable with us! Our team happily accepts payment plans with CareCredit, which is a third-party financier that’s helped millions of patients over the years. Not only is there a wide range of plans to choose from, but several have little-to-no-interest attached. If you have any questions about this financial solution or need help signing up, please don’t hesitate to give us a call.