Things to consider before getting dentures

When you’re forced to look at living the rest of your years with dentures, it can be overwhelming. Not to mention emotional, stressful and downright scary. There are a lot of unknowns and questions circling your brain. 

‍
I wonder how much they cost?

What’s involved in taking care of them?

How many kinds of dentures exist?

What if I never get used to them?

Is corn-on-the-cob a thing of the past?

First of all, there are any number of reasons someone might need dentures. When younger, some simply didn’t have the money to see a dentist on a regular basis and now they have weakened teeth. Sports related injuries account for a percentage of dentures; basketball has the highest number of dental injuries. Access to a dentist didn’t exist for some people when they were younger, and now they have challenges in their mouth. Accidents, injuries and collisions are also responsible for damaged and weakened teeth. 

Dentures are usually the final option for someone with few or no viable teeth.  If that’s the case you dentist will remove the badly damaged and weakened teeth. Then depending on the state of your mouth, working in conjunction with your dentist and by determining which healthy teeth are still viable, you may be a candidate for upper or lower dentures, sometimes a combination of both.

First things first. Picking a denturist.

There are many things that can be generalized for almost all dentures, but overall, you need to find a denturist that’s right for you. This is the first step. When looking for someone to be part of this journey with you, you need to see what’s out there and what options you have. Be selective and concentrate of these 4 main aspects.

Experience.

Look for someone who makes dentures a part of their day-to-day practice, if not the. Pick someone who is educated, stays up-to-date with technology and industry standards and understands current procedures inside and out. Find someone who is an authority and you can create a relationship built on trust and confidence.
‍

‍
Location.

When you’re investing in dentures you’ll be required to visit several times. This isn’t a one-appointment process. There is initial stages and creation of the denture, then regular follow-up (at least in the beginning) and you’ll potentially need occasional adjustments down the road. So you’ll want to pick a clinic that’s easy to access with good parking.

Approach.

You’re going to have a relationship with your denturist. As stated above, dentures are a process with multiple appointments. Yes you want experience but equally important, you want to connect with your denturist. You want someone who will listen to your concerns, take the time to thoroughly explain your questions and make you feel like you actually matter. Someone you can trust. That can make all the difference.

Price.

This is always a big one. Obviously you’re going to want to know what dentures cost. Unfortunately there isn’t a one-size-fits-all price, just as there isn’t a one-size-fits-all denture. That said what’s important to find is someone who will strive to match your needs with your budget. Look for someone who understands how insurance and billing processes work and can help you navigate the confusing world of insurance and eligibility.

Fear of the unknown? Dentures don’t have to be scary.

If dentures are part of your future, it’s only natural to worry. What if they look fake, they hurt, they stop you from eating certain foods, they mess up your talking or worse, slip out of your mouth when you’re eating or talking. All valid concerns and all things that have been known to happen. But with the right fit, great quality and most of all the care of a skilled and thoughtful denturist, those will soon become the least of your worries. Advances in modern dentistry have dentures looking natural, feeling comfortable and functioning almost as well as natural teeth.  

Take the time to make an appointment and talk through your concerns. You owe it to yourself to find out the information to go into this empowered. 

Eastview Denture Clinic and Michael Seles offers a free, one-hour consultation designed to help you determine some of your options, while having all your questions and concerns answered. Mike is thoughtful, approachable and truly wants to walk your thought this experience.