Why are Dentures A Great Option for Seniors?

The older you become, the more health risks you face. The majority of seniors end up losing some or all their teeth as they age. According to the CDC, roughly 25 percent of seniors over the age of 75 have no teeth remaining. This is in addition to the millions of seniors who are missing one or more teeth. There are two primary replacement options if you have lost any of your teeth. The first is getting dental implants, while the second is getting dentures.

Most seniors prefer dentures over implants. When you are younger, implants are often the better decision, but for seniors, implants take much longer to install and are more expensive than dentures. Additionally, dentures perform better than implants, and are much easier to maintain. There are multiple types of dentures to choose from. Some dentures are designed for specific conditions, while others use different methods to secure the dentures.

Benefits of Getting Dentures

There are many benefits to getting dentures. Cosmetically speaking, dentures look much better than getting implants. With how much dentures have advanced leading into 2020, it is easy to get dentures that blend in with your natural teeth. Dentures are also designed with comfort in mind. Each set of dentures is custom fitted for your mouth, so you do not have to worry about the dentures uncomfortably rubbing against your gums or feeling out of place in your mouth.

For many seniors, the biggest advantage of getting dentures is how easy they are to take care of. Caring for your dentures requires less effort than caring for your natural teeth. With dentures, you do not have to worry about brushing or flossing. At night, you can remove your dentures and place them in a cleaning solution while you sleep. Once you wake up in the morning, all you do is place your now cleaned dentures back into your mouth.

Another reason dentures are so appealing for seniors is the price. Over time, dentures have significantly dropped in price. The exact cost varies depending on the type of dentures you need. Even if you need a full set of dentures, the cost is typically under $1,000. There are more expensive variants available, if you want more advanced dentures.

Types of Dentures

The most extreme type of dentures is known as complete dentures. With these dentures, you replace all of your teeth. Normal dentures are attached using dental bridges, but because complete dentures replace all of your teeth, they are mounted on top of your gums. In most cases, dentists wait two to three months after all your teeth have been removed before administering complete dentures.

Partial dentures are used when you still have some of your natural teeth. With partial dentures, a small base is installed in your mouth, which is where the dentures attach to. You can easily attach and detach the dentures as needed. These dentures are normally made out of an acrylic material.

Immediate dentures are placed in your mouth right after your teeth are removed. This option is normally only available if you are getting partial dentures. Whether you are eligible for immediate dentures depends on your oral health.

Snap-in dentures are popular because of their effectiveness. These dentures are held in place with special implants, but they can also be anchored to your teeth. What sets them apart from other types of dentures is the locator attachments, built into the sides of your dentures. These attachments snap onto the implants or anchors. These are the easiest types of dentures to apply and remove, and are compatible with either complete or partial dentures. Depending on the condition of your mouth, you may not be eligible for snap-in dentures.

Over dentures are another specialized type of denture held in place with implants. These dentures are used on either the upper or lower jaw, based on your needs. In comparison, upper dentures are only usable along your upper jaw, but utilize a similar implant system to hold your dentures.

Custom vs. Economy Dentures

In addition to all the different types of dentures, you can also opt for custom or economic dentures. Economic dentures are less expensive than custom dentures, but have a generic look and may not fit as well as custom dentures. If you are getting a basic set of dentures, the economic options are around $300 to $500, while the custom dentures cost between $600 and $1,000.

If you want more realistic looking teeth, there are additional models available, typically referred to as mid-range dentures. The cost varies greatly depending on how many teeth you are replacing. You can expect to pay between $500 and $1,000 for a partial set, but a complete set may cost as much as $3,000.

If you want snap-in dentures, or any other specialized denture, the cost varies from $700 to $1,800. For the highest quality, most realistic looking dentures, you can expect to pay between $2,000 and $4,000. You may be able to use your insurance to cover the cost of dentures.