Dentures FAQs

Getting dentures can be a major life change for a lot of people. The transition to dentures can seem full of new information, and it is easy to get overloaded and bogged down in all the details about the process and upkeep.

Today, we have compiled some of the most frequently asked questions to help you understand more about dentures and what they will mean for your life. If you have further questions, schedule an appointment with our dentist to get feedback specific to your situation.

What is the Cost of Dentures?

Unfortunately, the cost of dentures can vary widely. Denture construction, design, specifics of your mouth, procedures used by the dentist, geographic location, and dentist’s office overhead are all factors that play into your overall cost. Fortunately, your dentist should be able to give you a good idea about the cost of dentures through their office ahead of time, so you know what to expect. It is also important to check with your insurance to see if you have some type of coverage that will pay some or all of the cost of dentures.

What Types of Dentures are There?

There are two basic types of dentures: complete and partial. Complete dentures are designed to replace the entire arch of teeth. Complete dentures are used when the patient no longer has natural teeth in place. In order to be fitted for dentures, our dentist may need to extract the last teeth because they are no longer healthy and cannot be saved or restored.

The other denture type is partial dentures. Partial dentures are used when there are still natural teeth in along the arch. These dentures are designed to fill in the gaps between the natural teeth to give you a complete smile.

Can I Whiten My Dentures?

Sometimes, when patients have replaced their top arch of teeth at a different time than their lower arch, they find that the color of the dentures doesn’t match. Unfortunately, dentures cannot be whitened. The color of the denture is due to the dye that was put into the original plastic. If the appearance of the teeth is an issue, talk to our dentist about replacing them to make sure that your tooth color is consistent.

Of course, staining can also prematurely age the appearance of your dentures, so in order to keep them bright, you can brush them with a denture toothbrush or soft toothbrush to clear away any material from the denture’s surface before it can stain.

Can I Brush My Dentures?

Yes, brushing your dentures can help to keep them clear of debris our buildup that naturally occurs in your mouth and on your natural teeth. However, you should not use a normal toothpaste on your dentures, but instead, use dishwashing liquid and water. Ensure that you thoroughly rinse your dentures and place them into the cleaning solution overnight.

Can Dentures be Repaired?

Some damage to your dentures may be repairable by our dentist. However, this depends largely on what type of damage, the location, and severity. If you notice that there is an issue with your dentures, schedule an appointment right away. If your dentist catches the problem early, you may be able to avoid replacing your dentures.

Can I Sleep in My Dentures?

Dentures are safe to sleep in, but it is preferred that you take them out. Removing your dentures at night allows your mouth to rest and relax after wearing your dentures all day. Additionally, you should use the nighttime to soak your dentures in their cleaning solution.

If you are considering dentures, schedule an appointment with Today's Family Dental at (813) 370-1700 or (813) 212-8700.