Ask the Dentures Dentist

I have 1 front tooth missing. Ihave no dentures in my mouth. What is the cost of putting in one denture for that missing tooth? Can it be done immediately?

Dr. Slota: Costs can vary based on the type of treatment. There are temporary one tooth dentures that can cost a few hundred dollars to fixed bridges and implants that can cost several thousand dollars. Check with your dentist to see what works for you.

All of my teeth are crowned and my enamel is breaking down. I recently had to have two pulled due to the problem. I have a horrible gag problem. I have a flipper right now but it still gags me. Is there a denture that does not have to go into the roof of your mouth?

Dr. Slota: Cheryl, you can get implant retained dentures and they will not cover the roof of your mouth.  They will be expensive so prepare yourself financially.

I loosened my left lower front tooth by bridge accident, causing an abcess.  This was succesfully treated with an antibiotic but shortly developed major caries in the other three lower teeth, followed by the traumaless loss of the original tooth at the gum line. I feel there is serious trouble in my lower front jaw. What can you advise? Iam 81.

Dr Slota: George, you need to see your dentist.  Even at 81 you could live many more years with good dental care.  Socializing with friend and meals become even more important for seniors like yourself.  Good teeth are needed for both. If your teeth are decayed you need to have that treated.  Bridges and implants are the best treatment for missing teeth.  A removable treatment partial can replace  one  or more teeth.  It will not be as functional as the first two choices.

I've had a top denture since May.  If I eat anything, food is all over the teeth and I must wash them.  It is normal for food to be stuck all over the denture (3D3F) I think.  I may want a denture implant instead because I hate not having teeth.

Dr. Slota: It is not normal for regular food to "stick" to your dentures. Make sure you rinse your mouth after eating; it will help eliminate the food on  the denture. If it is continues sticking, you may need to have them polished to  a higher finish to eliminate the sticking. Implants will not eliminate food on the denture but will make them more secure for chewing your food.

Is it possible to have a partial on your lower when you have only one wisdom tooth and 9 other teeth in a horseshoe shape in the front of the lower jaw?

Dr. Pasch: A dental treatment plan must be done in person.  The dentist must physically see the patient in order to properly answer your question regarding the possibility of wearing partial dentures.     Please go to see a dentist that is proficient in removable prosthetics.                                     

PS:  If you visit New York City and would like a free consultation for partial dentures please call us at the Denture Center at 212-689-0024 and schedule your consultation with either Dr Yam or Dr Pasch, and they will be happy to give you a recommended treatment plan.

I had an infected tooth removed along with some of the bone.  The periodontist gave me a plastic mouth guard (similar to the mouth guards that football players and other athletes wear.)  In the mouth guard is a plastic tooth to fill in the space where my incisor was removed.  This was to keep my teeth from moving while I waited for the bone and tissue regeneration to be completed before having a permanent denture put in. In the paper work to the insurance company they called this mouth guard a partial denture.  Now the insurance company says that I already have a denture and that my policy won't allow for another denture until five years have passed.  Is this mouth guard with the plastic tooth truly "a denture" that could be considered a permanent solution?  I can't chew with it in.  In fact, the plastic is so thin that I don't think it will hold up for even a year let alone 5 years.

Dr. Pasch: Without seeing this so called, "night guard" I have no idea what it truly is.  You can't diagnose over the phone or the Internet and I can't give you an accurate answer without seeing the devise.  A denture is a denture, there is no such thing as a temporary denture.  All dentures are made similarly, whether they are worn temporarily or long term, therefore the cost for a denture will not vary based on how long you intent to wear it.     Most dental insurance companies will only pay 50% - 80% of the cost for new dentures once every 5 years if it is a good policy, once every 10 years if it is a terrible policy.  They do not care if you require a new one in one year because of bone loss and gum shrinkage.  Perhaps the periodontists staff thought they were doing you a favor putting in the code for a denture in order to receive payment for the appliance so that they would not have had to bill you.  Call the periodontists office and ask the insurance coordinator, the receptionist or the dentist how much the appliance actually costs if you had paid privately rather than the insurance company.  However, I'm not sure that that office can correct this for you retroactively, it would appear like insurance fraud if they did.  They probably thought they were helping you at the time to decrease your out of pocket expense.    

My suggestion to you in the future due to the awful nature of dental insurance.  It does not work like health insurance at all.  I never recommend that someone purchase dental insurance.  It is a nice employee benefit however.  In order to maximize your benefits, be compliant with preventative care, such as cleanings and check-ups and never submit for a denture repair before sending for approval for a much needed new denture, they will invariably deny the new denture if they have paid for a recent repair or a reline on an old one.  You are always better off, relining and repairing an old one out of pocket and submitting for a new one once you're entitled.  Dental insurance helps but it by no means pays for a majority of major dental work since the yearly maximums are so low.     

I'm sorry if I'm not giving you the answer you wanted and I wish you the best of luck.  If you're ever in NYC, please stop by and introduce yourself.  We will be relocating our office in July to 224 West 35th Street between 7th and 8th Aves. in Manhattan on the 16th floor. 

"What is the cost of dentures?"

Dr. Pasch: Full Upper or Lower denture                     $799.00          
$729 for Senior Citizens Custom Created, Expertly Crafted and Polished.

Partial Acrylic Upper or Lower denture   $789.00  
$719 for Senior Citizens Basic Removable Appliance for patients who are missing some teeth, Meticulously Fitted for Your Specific Needs.

Partial Frame Upper or Lower denture   $849.00  
$779 for Senior Citizens Scrupulously Detailed for Secure Fit and Increased Durability.

Partial Flexi Upper or Lower denture   $943.00  
$873 for Senior Citizens Fracture Resistant, Flexible Acrylic, without Using Metal Clips for Improved Aesthetics.

A Full Upper and Full Lower Set            $1,538.00      
$1,398.00  for Senior Citizens      Plus $100.00 for soft lining on a Full Lower Denture

A Full Denture/ Partial Denture Acrylic Set               $1,528.00      
$1,388.00 for Senior Citizens Plus $100.00 for soft lining on a Full Lower Denture

A Full Denture/ Partial Denture Frame Set $1,588.00
$1,448.00 for Senior Citizens Plus $100.00 for a soft lining on a Full Lower Denture

A Full Denture/ Partial Denture Flexi Set $1,682.00
$1,542.00 for Senior Citizens Plus $100.00 for a soft lining on a Full Lower Denture

A Partial Upper Denture/ Partial Lower Denture Acrylic Set $1,518.00
$1,378.00 for Senior Citizens
A Partial Upper Denture/ Partial Lower Denture Frame Set $1,638.00
$1,498.00 for Senior Citizens

A Partial Upper Denture/ Partial Lower Denture Flexi Set $1,826.00
$1,686.00 for Senior Citizens

"What is the difference between dentures and implants?"

Dr. Pasch: Dental implants are substitutes for the natural roots of human teeth. Made of a special titanium alloy, it serves a a new base for crowns, bridges and dentures in patients who need them. With implants, you can again enjoy the look and feel of having your own teeth. This is accomplished because dental implants are integrated into your natural bone structure. You can bite, chew and smile as naturally as you did before the loss of teeth. Call the Denture Center and make an appointment for a free consultation. If you choose, we will conduct an examination, which will determine whether you are a candidate for implants. Generally, anyone who is healthy enough to have routine extractions can be considered for dental implants. The main limitation is the amount of available bone which can usually be determined by a clinical and radiographic examination.

One implant with a crown can replace a single missing tooth, eliminating the need to reduce adjacent natural teeth in size.

Implants can be used as support for a fixed bridge by either connecting to natural teeth or to other implants.

And as previously stated, mini implants and regular implants can be used to stabilize, retain, and support a denture.

"Are Dentures Comfortable?"

Dr. Pasch: At the Denture Center you are entitled to as many adjustments as you may need for the lifetime of your dentures, to ensure that maximum comfort is achieved and maintained, without additional expense. New dentures may feel awkward or uncomfortable for the first few days or weeks. They may feel loose, while the muscles of your cheeks and tongue learn to hold them in place. These problems most often diminish as your mouth becomes accustomed to new dentures. Eating with dentures takes a little practice. Start with soft foods, cut into small pieces. Chewing slowly and using both sides of your mouth at the same time will prevent the dentures from moving out of place. Other types of foods can gradually be introduced until you resume your normal diet. Speaking with your new dentures will also require practice. Reading out loud and repeating difficult words in front of a mirror will help. Speaking slowly will help eliminate muffled speech. If dentures sometimes slip out of place when you laugh, cough or smile, you can reposition them by biting down and swallowing.

After you get new dentures, your dentist may advise you to wear them most of the time, including while you sleep. After the adjustment period, you may be instructed to remove them at bedtime. Generally, it is not advisable to wear them around the clock because tissues that are constantly covered with denture material can become irritated.

Occasional laboratory relines, which can be done at the Denture Center while-u-wait, may be necessary at certain intervals, to restore proper fit due to bone loss and gum shrinkage. Once the reline is done, comfort is usually restored.

Also, if you have loose fitting full dentures, the Denture Center provides mini dental implants which attach to quality dentures that provide immediate retention and stabilization. It is quick, easy, and affordable. Mini implants help prevent shifting and tilting without messy adhesives. In addition, they can eliminate rubbing and soreness, and can even improve speech and digestion. We also have other implant alternatives for those patients that require implants to either replace missing teeth or to hold their dentures in place.

Dentures need to be replaced not only due to normal wear but also because the mouth changes naturally with age, and this requires denture replacement. Jaws may align differently as bones and gum ridges recede and shrink, as previously stated. It is important to replace worn or poorly fitting dentures before they cause problems. The American Dental Association recommends that dentures be replaced at least every 4-6 years, and we concur.

Even if you wear full dentures, you still must take good care of your mouth. Brush your gums, tongue and palate every morning with a soft-bristled brush before you insert your dentures. This stimulates circulation in your tissues and helps remove plaque. Selecting a balanced diet for proper nutrition is also important for maintaining a healthy mouth.

"What are dentures?  And How long does it take to get dentures?"

Dr. Pasch: If you have lost all of your natural teeth, whether from periodontal disease, tooth decay or injury, complete dentures can replace your missing teeth- and your smile. Replacing missing teeth will benefit no only your appearance but also your health. You’ll be able to eat and speak-two things that most people often take for granted until their natural teeth are prematurely lost.

A complete denture replaces natural teeth and provides support for cheeks and lips. Without support from the denture, facial muscles sag, making a person appear older.

There are various types of complete dentures. An immediate complete denture is inserted as soon as the remaining teeth are removed.

At the Denture Center, our 30 years of experience is in the art of creating high-quality, well-fitting dentures. With our state-of-the-art denture laboratory on-premises, you can have new dentures the same day as well as same day repairs and relines, a process that usually takes an outside lab 3 to 6 weeks. At the Denture Center, we probably make more dentures, over 250,000 sets so far, than any other dental office in the tri-state area. We eliminate the long and uncomfortable process of denture fittings by offering our patients high quality, custom, same day dentures.

There are various types of complete dentures. A conventional full denture is made of flesh-colored acrylic plastic. The base of the upper denture covers the palate (roof of the mouth), while that of the lower is shaped like a horseshoe to allow room for the tongue. The gum and bone tissues of the dental ridge support the denture. The base, which conforms closely to the ridge, is held in place with a thin film of saliva. Cheek muscles and tongue also help hold the lower denture in place. When the base of the upper denture rests over the gums and palate, a seal is created, which holds the denture in place.

If you have a few sound individual teeth, the tooth roots may be used to provide support for an overdenture, once root canal therapy is performed on the teeth. Then the dentist reduces the teeth to just above the gumline. The dentist will fabricate a denture that is inserted over the roots and the gums.

There are also, various types of partial dentures, your dentist will recommend the type he feels will best meet your needs upon your examination. At the Denture Center, we also offer acrylic flexi dentures, framework dentures, flexi/framework dentures, and premium dentures with porcelain teeth for example.