Dentures – Kerrville, TX
Take Back Your Smile from Tooth Loss
Dentures and partials can replace some or all of your teeth, giving you back the freedom to smile, talk, eat or drink without discomfort, self-consciousness, or difficulty. We strive for the most comfortable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing results possible. Whether you need full dentures in Kerrville, TX to replace an arch of teeth or a personalized partial denture for multiple teeth throughout the mouth, Dr. Butler will make sure you’re satisfied with your tooth replacement.
Why Choose Carroll R. Butler, DDS Family Dentistry for Dentures and Partial Dentures?
- Full, Partial and All-on-4 Dentures Available
- Highly Customized to Look and Feel Natural
- CT Scanner and Digital Impression Technology
Who’s a Good Candidate for Dentures?
If you’ve lost all or some of your natural teeth, whether from periodontal disease, tooth decay or injury, complete dentures or partials can replace your missing teeth and refurbish your smile. You may find them to be an appealing solution if you have lost multiple teeth making it difficult to speak, chew, or smile. Wondering what else it takes to be a good candidate for this life-changing solution? Click on the button below to learn more!
Effects of Missing Teeth
There are a few common reasons why people might have missing teeth. According to the American College of Prosthodontists, some of the main causes include tooth decay, gum disease, and accidents or injuries. Failing to replace these gaps in your smile can lead to various problems.
For instance, facial sagging can occur, making you look older than you are. Speaking and eating might also become challenging, negatively affecting your daily life. Additionally, tooth loss can significantly lower your self-esteem and confidence. That’s why it's crucial to address missing teeth! Not only will it help you avoid these negative consequences, but you can enjoy a better overall quality of life.
What Qualifies You for Dentures?
The only way to know for sure whether or not you’re a viable candidate for dentures is by attending a consultation with Dr. Butler. Generally speaking, dentures are a great choice for people who have experienced significant tooth loss and have issues like sensitive teeth, decay, or damaged gums.
Keep in mind that to be eligible for dentures in Kerrville, you must have enough healthy gum tissue and a strong jawbone. It’s also incredibly important to be committed to maintaining good dental hygiene and caring for your prosthetics. Dentures are also a more affordable tooth replacement option compared to other methods, which makes them an ideal solution for patients on a budget.
Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options
Did you find out that you’re not a good candidate for dentures? That’s okay! You can explore our other tooth-replacement options:
- Dental Bridges: If you’re only missing one or a few teeth, you may want to consider bridges. It’s a great choice for patients with healthy teeth surrounding the gaps in their smile.
- Dental Implants: Because of their unique placement, patients must have a solid bone structure if they want dental implants. Although this option costs more than traditional dentures, it’s a worthwhile investment as it provides permanent results!
Types of Dentures
There are many ways to design a full or partial denture, making them extremely versatile. At Carroll R. Butler, DDS Family Dentistry, we offer three types of dentures, and each can be completely personalized to you, so they look as great as they feel. To learn more about partial, full, and implant dentures in Kerrville, read on!
Partial Dentures
As you may have guessed from the name, partial dentures only replace a few missing teeth. They can be removable or fixed, and they can be attached to dental implants or adjacent teeth with crowns as bridgework.
Full Dentures
In a process that typically takes several months, conventional full dentures are made and placed in the patient’s mouth once all remaining teeth have been extracted and gum tissue has healed. However, we also offer another solution: immediate complete dentures. With this option, molds of your mouth are taken at a preliminary visit. When you arrive to have any remaining teeth extracted, the prepared dentures can be immediately fitted, and the gums allowed to heal beneath them. This option prevents you from being without teeth during the healing process.
Implant Dentures
Today, dental implants are being used more and more often to attach to dentures for a better fit and extra stability. Plus, there are additional benefits, like preservation of your jawbone and the potential to last for several decades with proper care!
The Benefits of Dentures
After losing most or all of your teeth, you’re likely to notice a decrease in your overall quality of life. Luckily, dentures give you a way to once again enjoy a complete smile. Once you start wearing dentures, you will be able to fully appreciate all of the advantages that they have to offer. If you’re not sure whether dentures really are the right choice for you, it may be worth taking the time to learn about some of the benefits associated with them.
Psychological Benefits
One of the more immediately obvious advantages of dentures is that you can once again show off your smile without worrying about your appearance. It’s not uncommon for individuals who are missing an extensive number of teeth to feel anxious in social situations or have an increased risk of developing depression. Dentures let you reclaim a complete, natural-looking grin that won’t have a negative impact on your confidence while you’re trying to speak with your friends or enjoy a meal in public.
Clearer Enunciation
Many of the sounds you make when speaking require your lips and tongue to interact with your teeth. So if you’re missing a significant number of teeth, you will likely have a harder time pronouncing certain words, and other people may find it difficult to understand you. Luckily, dentures help solve this problem by fulfilling the role that your natural teeth usually play in speech. Once you have had the chance to adjust to your new dentures, you will find that they allow you to once again speak clearly, making it easier for you to have enjoyable interactions with others.
Improves Nutrition
Are there any foods that you have had to give up since losing your teeth? It can be disheartening to realize just how much tooth loss can limit your diet. But once you start wearing dentures to re-complete your smile, you will once again have the ability to enjoy a wide variety of foods. Not only will this make your meals more enjoyable, but it also aids you in getting the nutrition you need for a healthy lifestyle.
Preserves Oral Health
As you can probably imagine, missing teeth are less than ideal for your oral health. Any remaining teeth are likely to eventually drift out of place, resulting in further oral health problems. On top of that, without the right number of teeth in your jaw, the pressures of chewing won’t be properly distributed; consequently, the teeth you still have will wear down faster. Partial dentures will help ensure that your natural teeth stay where they’re supposed to be and protect them from excessive pressure.
Expands Opportunities
At job interviews, first dates, social gatherings, and other important events, you’ll want your smile to look its absolute best so that you can leave a strong first impression for all the right reasons. As such, filling the empty space in your smile with personalized, beautiful dentures can go a long way toward putting you on the path to success in various aspects of life.
How Long Will My Dentures Last?
Your new dentures are handcrafted to look as natural as possible. The individual colors in the gums will last if you properly care for them, so follow Dr. Butler’s instructions. You still have to take proper care of your oral health, even if you wear a complete denture. This includes brushing your gums, tongue, and palate with a soft-bristled toothbrush when you wake up in the morning. This works to stimulate circulation in your tissues and help remove plaque before you insert your dentures.
With proper care, dentures can last anywhere from 5 to 15 years or longer. However, if there is ongoing bone loss, they will have to be periodically adjusted and relined to maintain a comfortable fit. Call Dr. Butler if your dentures are uncomfortable, painful, or cause sore spots in your mouth.
Considering dentures? Contact us and schedule a consultation today!
Dentures FAQs
Will It Hurt to Get Dentures?
The amount of discomfort you’ll feel depends entirely on the treatments and procedures you need to make your dentures a reality. For example, if you need tooth extractions, there may be some discomfort involced with that procedure. However, at Carroll R. Butler, DDS Family Dentistry, Dr. Butler will be sure that your mouth is numb during the process so you feel minimal sensation. By using pain medication as directed afterward, this discomfort should dissipate within three to five days. Afterward, there may be some slight irritation as your mouth gets used to your prosthetics. If this continues longer than a few weeks, contact us so Dr. Butler can determine the cause of your discomfort and help you fix it.
Can I Sleep with My Dentures?
While it may be tempting to sleep with your dentures in, doing so can cause many dental issues over time. Initially, Dr. Butler may ask you to wear your prosthetics continuously for the first 24 hours, including during sleep. However, after this short period, we recommend that you take out your dentures at night. Wearing them while sleeping can restrict circulation in your gums, irritating your gums and speeding up the breakdown of the ridge they sit on. Additionally, the dark and moist environment under dentures creates the perfect place for bacteria to grow. These bacteria can trigger multiple oral health issues; if inhaled, they have been known to cause pneumonia.
What is the Average Age for Dentures?
It’s no secret that tooth loss becomes more likely with age. While dentures aren’t for every patient, approximately 66 percent of adults between 40 and 64 are missing at least one tooth. The more teeth you’re missing, the faster the process of tooth loss becomes as your jawbone deteriorates from a lack of stimulation. So, as you age with tooth loss, the need for dentures becomes more likely. According to the American Dental Association, nearly 57 percent of patients aged 65 to 74 wear some form of denture. However, tooth loss can happen at any age for many reasons, so dentures can be an option for patients of all ages.
Why Do My Dentures Smell?
The most common reason for denture odors is poor oral hygiene. If food and bacteria become trapped under your prosthetic, they can begin to release sulfuric compounds as they are broken down. Over time, if these particles are left on your dentures, it can discolor them and cause a lingering unpleasant smell. To avoid this, make sure you’re brushing your dentures with mild soap twice per day. At the same time, use regular toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean your gums, tongue, cheeks, and any remaining teeth you have. Lastly, soak your dentures overnight in a cool glass of denture cleaner. Following this routine will keep your prosthetics fresh, clean, and smelling great.
