Denture options

Conventional Dentures

Most people know them a “just plain dentures.” But not all dentures are equal.  Denture prices range from about $300 to about $3000 per arch.  A $300 denture should be quite different from a more expensive one. 

For the cheaper dentures there is probably one impression, the teeth are set up in blocks and they will probably be plastic teeth.  This is a faster, cost effective method.  There is no customization and the result is a white ‘picket fence’ look. We sometimes call it the ‘Chiclet’ look.

Methods vary until you reach the most expensive denture.  The doctor will probably require more appointments for impression accuracy and measurements.  The teeth will most likely be polybonded acrylic which means they won’t stain.  They might be porcelain teeth which look very nice but sometimes have problems with breakage. The teeth are placed one at a time.  The result will be a more naturally looking denture that has teeth of different shapes and sizes, naturally varied color and texture with a lot of individualization.  People who have worn a well made denture often tell us “My best friend doesn’t know I wear dentures.”      

No matter how well made, it is still a denture.  A few people can wear ‘plain’ dentures well.  Many cannot.  The reasons are varied, but the most common reasons are poor fit, or lack of good bone support.  A person who doesn’t have good bone (and many denture wearers don’t) will have problems with dentures.

One of the biggest negatives of dentures is that they need to be replaced.  Even the best denture should be replaced every 4-7 years.  Frequent replacement slows the loss of bone (called resorbtion.)

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Overdentures

These are sometimes called ball retained dentures or mini-implant dentures.  The construction process is about the same as a “plain denture”, because it is still a denture.  Most dentists who provide this procedure will probably construct a more expensive denture, but it is still a denture.  The difference is that it is attached to two ‘mini-implants.  The implants are small (less than half the size of regular implants) and a ball is attached to the top of the implant.  A ‘socket’ is embedded into the denture so it can snap into place.  This keeps the denture much more stable than just ‘a plain denture.’

As can be imagined, this simple device improves the function over ‘plain’ dentures.  However, there are still limitations.  The biggest limitation is that it is still a denture.  The roof of the mouth is covered, taste is still impaired, and they still come out.  In fact, they must be removed for cleaning and hygiene.

Cost varies as with any service, but you can probably expect to pay $8,000 to $10,000 per arch for this service.

Even this denture should be replaced every 4-7 years because it is still a denture.

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Advanced Permanent Implants

Advanced permanent implants are the latest in dental technology.  Imagine all your teeth replaced with a permanent solution: teeth attached to sturdy, well placed titanium implants, the same material used to replace hips and knees.  Your teeth  don’t come out and you have nothing in the roof of your mouth.

Dental implants have been around for several years, but the surgery was invasive, the healing time four to eight months and you didn’t get your teeth for about a year. 

Not any more!!

Northgate Dental is the only dental facility in the Central United States where you can have all your new teeth placed on four angled implants and walk out the same day ready to eat.  The surgery is so non-invasive that many people go out for dinner and dancing that evening.

Here is how it works.  We appoint you for a Comprehensive Exam.  This is a thorough exam that lasts one to two hours.  Sometimes we have you return for a no charge consultation visit.  When you decide this is what you want, then we accompany you to a lab for a CT scan of your jaw.  Then you go home. ** We design your prosthetics in the computer using the CT scan.  We then email that to our lab and they construct your new prosthetic teeth.  The lab also constructs a guide that shows us where to insert  the implants precisely where we designed their placement in the computer.  Then we have you return for a three to four hour appointment and put everything to place.  You walk out with new teeth, almost like the ones you were born with.  Many people don’t need pain medication, even over the counter Tylenol.

Up until a couple of years ago this procedure would have cost $60,000 to $80,000 per arch.  Because of the computer design, fewer appointments, better efficiency and the way the implants are angled, the cost of this procedure has been reduced to about $20,000. 

Here are more benefits:

• Angled implants appear to be more stable over time
• By angling the implants, sinus surgery is rarely needed.  Sinus surgery is often necessary with vertically placed implants
• We can secure the permanent bridge to as few as four implants instead of the more expensive practice of six or more vertically placed ones.
• Conventionally placed implants require invasive surgery that takes months to heal.  The guide allows us to place the implants without an incision.
• They don’t come out
• Food tastes better
• Throw away the denture adhesives and creams
• The bone recognizes the implant as a ‘real’ root, which results in better bone health and less (often no) bone loss.
• It is a permanent solution

Call us today for more information on this amazing new technology.

**Additional appointments may be necessary if the person has a current denture that is poorly fitting.

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