Partial Dentures – DuPont, WA

Filling in the Gaps of Your Smile

Woman with partial denture smiling

Living with a single missing tooth is bad enough. When you are faced with multiple missing teeth along an arch, you are likely to experience lower self-esteem and significant problems eating and speaking. When the gaps of your smile are consecutive, you can turn to a fixed bridge for help. But what can you do if these missing teeth are spread out? At DuPont Family Dentistry, we have the answer – partial dentures in DuPont, WA. Similar to a puzzle piece, these custom-made restorations are designed to fill in the gaps and provide an improved aesthetic and healthier smile. Contact us today to learn if you qualify for partial dentures.

Why Choose DuPont Family Dentistry for Partial Dentures?

  • Lifelike, Long-Lasting Materials
  • Most Insurance Plans Accepted
  • Early and Late Appointment Times

Who is a Good Candidate for Partial Dentures?

a patient speaking with their dentist

Partial dentures in DuPont are a popular choice among patients looking to replace multiple missing teeth throughout their arch. Having gaps within your smile can not only alter your confidence, but also impact your quality of life by making day-to-day tasks like eating and speaking much more difficult. With partials, our team at DuPont Family Dentistry can help rebuild your smile’s full function and appearance, allowing you to grin with pride once again.

Effects of Missing Teeth

a man with multiple missing teeth

Teeth can go missing for a variety of reasons, including due to dental decay or injuries, oral health problems, or even as a result of undergoing certain medical treatments. In any case, once these permanent teeth are no longer in your mouth, you’re bound to suffer the effects of having holes in your grin. Not only can missing teeth lead to a higher risk of developing secondary dental health concerns, like gum disease, but it can also lead to jawbone deterioration, difficulty eating and speaking, lower confidence, and cause your cheeks to appear hollow or saggy.

Are You a Good Candidate for Partials?

a gloved hand holding a partial denture

Partial dentures are designed to replace several missing teeth throughout an arch and are a great solution for patients who find themselves with this type of tooth loss. At your initial consultation with our experienced team, we will speak with you about all of your options, including traditional partials and dental implants, allowing you to make an informed decision that’s best for you.

Alternative Tooth Replacement Options

a computer illustration depicting a dental implant

If you don’t feel that partial dentures can fit all of your needs, then you may want to consider these alternative tooth replacement solutions:

  • Dental Bridges: Dental bridges are designed to replace consecutive missing teeth and have the ability to restore anywhere between one and four teeth in a row.
  • Dental Implants: Dental implants can be combined with dental bridges and crowns to replace multiple missing teeth throughout the smile. They have the ability to restore both the root and visible structure of teeth as well as prevent jawbone deterioration over time, as they are surgically placed below the gums and into the jawbone to provide a solid foundation for the restoration.

If you believe that one of these other services may work best for you, our team would be happy to discuss the pros and cons with you at your consultation! Just be sure to let us know what option you feel would best meet your goals.

What are Partial Dentures?

Model smile with partial denture

Partial dentures are custom-made restorations that are fabricated using an acrylic base and porcelain teeth and remain in place with the help of metal clasps or clips that attach to nearby healthy teeth. Partials as they are more commonly known work much like a puzzle piece because they can easily fill in the gaps left behind by missing teeth that are not necessarily next to each other. Partial dentures are a non-invasive solution that is proven effective at restoring aesthetics and oral health.

Benefits of Partial Dentures

Man with partial denture talking to dentist
  • There is no surgery required, making them a non-invasive option for individuals who prefer to avoid anesthesia
  • They are an affordable option if you are looking for a restorative solution that will most likely be covered by dental insurance
  • You don’t have to worry about damaging your healthy teeth
  • They keep your real teeth in place and prevent them from shifting out of alignment

Understanding the Cost of Partial Dentures

Cost of partial dentures in DuPont

When preparing for partial dentures, one of the most important and commonly asked questions is regarding the cost. Although a full, complete smile is the goal for anyone suffering from tooth loss, a leading deterrent can be the expense. Fortunately, at DuPont Family Dentistry, our team is here to help patients achieve a new and improved smile without having to empty their wallets. Learn more about the cost of partial dentures and how much you can expect to pay.

Factors that Affect the Cost of Partial Dentures

Woman with partial dentures in DuPont

When scheduling a consultation with a member of our team, we will perform a thorough examination of your oral cavity to determine if you are a qualified candidate for partial dentures. If so, we will consider various factors that will make up your overall cost estimate. These may include:

  • The number of teeth that need to be replaced
  • The materials used to create your partial denture
  • The location of your dentist’s office
  • Whether you plan to use dental insurance to cover a portion of the cost

Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?

Dental implant in DuPont

Yes, implant dentures are indeed more expensive; however, if you compare how much you will spend on a traditional partial versus one that is supported by dental implants, you can quickly see why the latter are worth the investment. Held into place by two titanium posts that mimic the natural roots of teeth, they fuse with the jawbone to build a durable foundation for the implant partial. And because they can remain in place for 30+ years, you do not need to worry about adjustments and replacements along the way.

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Partial Dentures?

Dental Insurance paperwork in DuPon

Fortunately, most dental insurance companies offer coverage for partial dentures, which means you can expect your out-of-pocket expenses to be less. In most cases, dental insurance companies will pay around 50% of the total cost since it is often deemed a major restorative service. Our team will work with you and your insurance company to help you get the most out of your benefits.

Other Options for Making Partial Dentures Affordable

Mouth mold and money in DuPont

If you need assistance paying the remaining balance after filing with insurance, you can apply for flexible financing through CareCredit. This third-party company makes it easy to avoid the high expense of initial costs and instead, allows you to pay out your treatment over several months. And with no surprise fees and low-to-no-interest payment plans, it is a great way to stay within budget.

Dental Implant-Retained
Partial Dentures

Man with implant retained partial denture smiling

If you are looking for a more secure and stable restorative solution for your multiple missing teeth, you can also opt for implant-retained partial dentures. Instead of being held in place by metal clasps or clips, we will use titanium posts that mimic the natural tooth structure. Surgically put into place along your jawbone, our team will determine how many implants you need to effectively support your custom-made partial denture.

Not only will you notice an improvement in your aesthetics, but you will also discover that your risk for bone loss is significantly decreased. Why? Because the implants continue to stimulate the jawbone, creating a stronger foundation for your implants and partial denture. This will allow you to enjoy a stronger bite force, greater functionality when speaking and eating, and embrace a longer-lasting restoration that is known to last decades with proper care.

Dentures FAQs

Woman with dentures in DuPont

Do you have questions about your dentures in DuPont? Our team is here to provide you with the answers you need. Going through the process of rebuilding your smile can lead to much uncertainty and anxiety, but instead of focusing on the unknowns, our DuPont Family Dentistry team wants to make sure you feel confident in your choice to pursue dentures as your preferred tooth replacement option. Below is a list of common questions asked by our patients. If you don’t see yours listed, contact our office to schedule an appointment.

How long will you have to wait to get dentures after your teeth are pulled?

The average wait time is usually 6-8 weeks; however, this is dependent on the type of denture you will receive. While some patients may receive them sooner or much later than 8 weeks, your smile will need to be thoroughly evaluated by our team of professionals before we can determine if you’re a candidate for dentures and how long it will take after tooth extraction.

Your mouth must heal after tooth removal, but there are different options you might qualify for, such as immediate (same-day) dentures. If this is possible, you will have your new teeth placed on the same day as your removal procedure. This allows you to eat and speak after treatment. However, it’s also likely that you’ll need to have your denture relined over time, as our team will be unable to check the fit before it is put into place.

If you’re receiving implant dentures, it is essential that you wait 4-6 months to allow your implant posts to fuse with your jawbone before receiving your customized denture.

Can I sleep with my dentures?

You are strongly advised not to sleep with your dentures in. The reasons are many, including:

  • The soft oral tissues of the mouth must have time to recover. By keeping your dentures out at night, they can retrieve valuable nutrients needed.
  • Bacteria can form underneath the denture and cause pneumonia
  • Your gums require circulation. When refusing to take out your dentures at night, they can cause additional irritation and ride resorption.

When taking them out at night, let them soak in a denture cleaner.

Will it hurt to get dentures?

If the reason for your dentures is that you’ll need to have several teeth extracted, you can expect to experience some soreness and discomfort following your procedure. Although this pain will begin to go away after a few days, you’ll need to follow any instructions provided to you by your denture dentist in Ware.

Once you receive your customized dentures, however, you can begin to enjoy your new teeth immediately. There will be some minor soreness initially, and you’ll likely enter into an adjustment phase that requires you to rethink how you eat and speak. All of this is temporary, though, as long as you adopt positive and helpful habits (i.e., speak slowly and eat softer foods at first).

What can’t you eat with dentures?

Dentures allow you to resume eating some of your favorite foods, but if you want to avoid any potential damage or accidental removal, it’s best if you avoid the following food options:

  • Anything sticky (i.e., peanut butter, gummy candy, gum)
  • Anything hard (i.e., corn on the cob, raw carrots or celery, nuts)
  • Dense and tough meats
  • Small foods like sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, shelled nuts