Dentures State College
The Cost-Effective Way to Restore Smiles
As we age, your dental concerns and needs change. Dr. Starostik understands this, and that’s why he offers a spectrum of care, from preventive therapies to help you keep as many of your natural teeth as possible to removable partial dentures from our State College dentist that can provide you with a new, natural-looking smile.
Why Choose Centre Smiles for Dentures?
- Greater Stability & Better Results with Dental Implants
- An Experienced & Compassionate Dentist & Team
- Advanced Technology for Precise Treatment Planning
Who's a Good Candidate for Dentures?
Not only are dentures in State College cost-effective and reliable, but they can also replace a large number of missing teeth. So, if you are struggling with moderate to severe tooth loss, you shouldn’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with our team at Centre Smiles Dental. If you want to learn a little more about the benefits of addressing tooth loss and the qualities that we look for in a good denture candidate, you can read on, too!
Effects of Missing Teeth
Trouble smiling confidently is one of the most common consequences of tooth loss, but it isn’t the only one. The gaps in your smile can also make it difficult to enunciate clearly and eat a varied, well-balanced diet. Plus, the surrounding teeth can shift out of alignment, leading to chronic jaw pain, premature wear, and several other issues. For all of those reasons, we recommend exploring the different restorative solutions that are available at our office, like dentures!
What Qualifies You for Dentures?
Because no surgery is required for dentures, most patients who are missing either several or all of their teeth along an arch are good candidates for dentures. So, if you are interested in this tried-and-true tooth-replacement solution, let us know! Once we have an in-depth understanding of your dental history, your smile goals, and your daily habits, we can determine if this is the best way to restore the appearance of your smile and the strength of your bite.
Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options
Although dentures are versatile, they aren’t always the best option. For instance, if you are missing only one or two teeth, but the rest are healthy, then we will likely recommend:
- A Dental Bridge – With this restorative solution, we can replace one tooth or up to four teeth consecutively. We do this by placing a custom dental crown on the two teeth surrounding the gap. Then, we connect them with the replacement tooth or teeth.
- A Dental Implant – Dental implants are unique for several reasons, including that they allow us to replace both the root and crown of your tooth. Plus, with proper care, like brushing twice a day and coming to our office twice a year, they can last for 30+ years!
Do you want to learn more about the restorative treatments that we offer, including which one we recommend for you? If so, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with our dentist in State College, Dr. Alec Starostik. The sooner you do, the sooner he can give you a complete and confident smile again.
Types of Dentures
At your initial consultation with Dr. Starostik, our team will conduct a thorough examination of your teeth and gums to help determine what type of dentures would best fit your individual needs.
Regular Dentures
Patients who are missing one or more teeth but don’t need a full arch replacement can often be treated with a removable partial denture that is designed to fit between remaining teeth to fill the spaces like the last piece of a puzzle. Dr. Starostik can also offer complete dentures that replace a full arch of either upper or lower teeth and provide a comfortable fit.
Overdentures
Rather than just sitting on top of the gums like traditional dentures, overdentures “click” onto a small number of dental implants. These are typically recommended for patients who want a more secure option compared to regular dentures who have experienced bone loss. This approach enables many patients to benefit from dental implants without having to undergo a bone graft first.
Hybrid Dentures
This prosthetic is a cross between a denture and bridge where the teeth are “screwed” onto implants. This makes them fixed, providing an extremely stable result that is akin to natural teeth. They can be used to replace an entire row and offer benefits like preventing bone loss, clearer speech, and better tasting ability because they take up less space in the mouth than traditional dentures.
Understanding the Cost of Dentures
Before making a final decision to replace your missing teeth, you probably want to know how much it’ll cost to get dentures in State College. Since no two smiles are the same, the total price can vary significantly from patient to patient. During your consultation with Dr. Starostik, he’ll conduct an oral examination and explain which factors will affect the final cost. If you’d like to learn more about what to expect, continue reading or give our office a call today!
Factors that Affect the Cost of Dentures
Many factors influence the final cost of dentures in State College, such as the preparatory work you’ll need, the number of teeth you’re missing, and the type of materials your prosthetic will be made of.
If you’re on a budget, you may be tempted to opt for a more affordable denture. However, just because it’s cheaper doesn’t necessarily mean it’s worth having. Sure, you’ll save money on the upfront cost, but low-priced dentures tend to break easily and require replacement much sooner than anticipated. That’s why it’s always best to purchase higher-quality prosthetics!
Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?
Yes, but there’s a very good reason for that. Implant dentures are more costly because they require oral surgery and the placement of multiple dental implants. Many patients find this option to be a worthwhile investment because it comes with multiple benefits. For example, since the implants hold the prosthetics firmly in place, you don’t have to worry about your teeth moving while you go about your day-to-day life! Additionally, they provide unmatched biting strength and longevity because they help stimulate the jawbone. You can also expect to enjoy your brand-new smile for decades as long as you take proper care of it.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?
The good news is that most dental insurance plans cover around 50% of the total cost of dentures, mainly because they’re considered a major procedure. Of course, the exact amount of coverage you receive will vary from plan to plan. That’s why you should contact your insurance provider and confirm the details of your policy before committing to anything. Our team is more than happy to help with this step if needed.
Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable
Don’t have dental insurance? No problem! At Centre Smiles, we offer additional financing options to help make your bills much easier to manage, such as:
- CareCredit Financing – With this option, you can fit virtually any procedure into your budget. It allows you to split up the total cost of your treatment into smaller monthly installments.
- In-House Dental Savings Plan – For one low annual fee, you can get all your preventive care for free in our office! Best of all, you’ll receive sizable discounts on other services we offer, including dentures.
Are you ready to say goodbye to the gaps in your smile? Contact our office and schedule a consultation today! We’ll create a treatment plan to help you achieve your dream look while keeping your total expenses as low as possible.
Dentures FAQs
Should I have all my teeth pulled to get dentures?
Repairing a damaged tooth whenever possible is always preferable to replacing it. Tooth extractions of any kind will only ever be recommended if deemed absolutely necessary, like when a tooth is too damaged to save thanks to extensive decay, severe infection or trauma that has broken off most of the enamel. If all of the teeth in an arch are decayed or infected with gum disease, replacing them with dentures may be a viable option. However, your dentist will always explore all of your options before recommending extractions for dentures.
Can I sleep with my dentures?
Dentists generally recommend taking your dentures out at night when you go to bed. When you first get your dentures, you will typically be told to keep them in your mouth for 24 hours, including when you sleep. After that, you should be taking them out each evening. This is because wearing dentures restricts the circulation in your gums, leading to soft tissue irritation and potentially speeding up ridge resorption. Taking dentures out gives the gums a chance to recover and get the nutrients they need during the night. The dark, moist space underneath the dentures is also an ideal place for bacteria to thrive. For this reason, sleeping with dentures has been found to be associated with a higher risk of pneumonia. Ultimately it is a good idea to take your dentures out while you catch some Z’s.
Will it hurt to get dentures?
If you need to have teeth extracted before getting dentures, you are likely to experience some discomfort after oral surgery. Take your prescribed pain medication only as directed. The discomfort should improve 3 to 5 days after the procedure. After you get new dentures, some minor irritation may occur while your mouth adjusts. If pain persists, give us a call so we can help!
Will dentures change the shape of my face?
When you lose teeth, your facial muscles begin to sag, giving your face a sunken appearance. Getting dentures will mean providing support to facial muscles that have collapsed. Ill-fitting dentures may not be giving your face proper support, so it’s important to design each restoration so it fits perfectly. If you realize that your dentures aren’t fitting as well as they could be, you should schedule to have it refitted or replaced as soon as you can.