Maintain good dental health by following a schedule of frequent daily tooth brushings, flossings and periodic dental appointments. Less than adequate maintenance of your oral health can lead to the replacement of several or all of your teeth. Replacement teeth are referred to as dentures and can be removable, cemented in place or clasped to other dental implants. Understanding the different types of dentures and how they work can help you choose the best option.
Significance
Replacement teeth can help you in a variety of ways. A complete set of teeth can improve your ability to chew food, thereby improving digestion. Missing teeth may disrupt your ability to properly speak. As a sound enters the mouth, the teeth, tongue and lips as well as the hard and soft palate alter the sound. When you are missing teeth, words may become slurred or incomprehensible.
Types
A partial denture is used in cases where only a few teeth need to be replaced. Partials can be permanent or a removable type that is held in place by clips. A crown and bridge are another type of partial denture; a bridging tooth is used in place of a missing tooth, and attached to it is a crown or crowns that are held in place with temporary cement. A complete set of dentures can be made to replace either the top or lower set of teeth, or both.
Factors in Price
The price of your replacement teeth will be based on several factors such as the complexity of the denture and any additional procedures that you may need. Office location, the type of dental insurance you have and the fees of the prosthodontist may also affect cost. Other options for dentures, such as highly cross-linked polymer instead of the normal plastic denture teeth, as well as certain metals used in removable dentures, can also raise the price. The warranty you choose with your new set of dentures may further increase price.
Typical Cost
You can expect mid-range dentures to cost from $500 to $1,000 per plate or from $1,000 to $2,000 for a set of two. They usually come with a one- or two-year warranty. Partial dentures can average around $700 to $1,800, and can run as high as $2,000 to $4,000 or more. Depending on your dental insurance policy, anywhere from 15 to 50 percent of the costs of full or partial dentures may be paid for if they are considered medically necessary rather than cosmetic.
Considerations
For greater stability, you want your dentures to maintain contact with the edges of your mouth. Dentures with larger flanges and moldings help to provide more area to stick to the adhesive and will keep your dentures in your mouth longer. Dental implants are an alternative to dentures, but can be more expensive. Ask your dentist to explain all options for replacing missing teeth.
