Dentures in Charlotte, NC
Tooth loss can dramatically impact your confidence, oral health, and quality of life, affecting everything from your ability to enjoy favorite foods to how comfortable you feel in social situations. When missing teeth leave gaps in your smile, modern dentures in Charlotte, NC, offer a reliable, time-tested solution that can restore both function and appearance. Whether you’re missing a few teeth or need a complete restoration, custom dentures can help you regain the confidence to smile, speak, and eat with ease once again!
At Imagine Dentistry in Charlotte, North Carolina, we understand each patient’s needs are unique, which is why we create personalized restorative dental solutions that are tailored to your specific situation. Dr. Ann Blaine Coambs has over 20 years of experience and has received a Charlotte Magazine Top Dentists Award every year since 2016. Our team works closely with you to determine the best type of dentures for your lifestyle, ensuring optimal comfort and natural-looking results that restore your beautiful smile.
Complete Dentures for Full Smile Restoration
Complete dentures represent a comprehensive solution for patients who have lost most or all of their natural teeth in either the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both. These full dentures are custom-crafted to replace an entire arch of teeth, providing both functional restoration and esthetic enhancement that can truly transform your daily life. The process begins with detailed impressions of your mouth, allowing our on-site lab to create dentures that fit your unique oral anatomy perfectly.
Conventional full dentures are placed after your soft tissues have fully healed following any necessary tooth extraction procedures. This healing process allows your mouth to recover completely, but the wait ensures your final dentures achieve the best possible fit and comfort for years to come. Once your new dentures are ready, you’ll experience restored chewing ability, improved speech clarity, and renewed confidence in your appearance that can make a world of difference in your social interactions.
Modern dentures are designed to look remarkably natural, closely mimicking the appearance of your original natural teeth and gums in ways that weren’t possible years ago. The materials used today are more durable and realistic than ever before, providing you with a youthful appearance that can take years off your smile. Your dentures will be carefully color-matched and shaped to complement your facial features, ensuring results that look and feel as natural as possible.
Partial Dentures for Targeted Tooth Replacement
When you still have several healthy teeth remaining, removable partial dentures offer an excellent solution for replacing missing teeth while preserving your existing natural teeth that are still strong and healthy. Partial dentures consist of replacement teeth that are attached to a supportive framework that fits securely around your remaining teeth. This approach allows you to maintain good oral health by keeping your natural teeth while filling the gaps that are left by missing teeth.
The design of partial dentures varies depending on your specific needs and the location of your missing teeth throughout your mouth. Some partial dentures use a metallic framework for maximum durability and stability, while others employ more flexible materials for enhanced comfort that many patients prefer. Regardless of the design that works best for you, partial dentures are carefully adapted to work harmoniously with your remaining natural teeth, providing seamless function and appearance.
Partial dentures not only restore your smile’s appearance but also prevent your remaining teeth from shifting into the empty spaces that are left by missing teeth. This helps maintain proper bite alignment and reduces the risk of additional oral health complications that can develop over time. With proper care and regular teeth cleaning appointments, partial dentures can provide many years of reliable service while preserving your overall dental health.
Implant-Supported Dentures for Enhanced Stability
For patients seeking the ultimate in denture stability and function, implant supported dentures represent the gold standard in tooth replacement technology that is available today. Unlike conventional dentures that rely solely on gum retention or natural suction, implant-supported dentures are securely anchored to dental implants that are surgically placed in your jawbone. This innovative approach provides exceptional stability, allowing you to eat, speak, and smile with complete confidence!
The process of receiving implant-supported dentures involves collaboration between our practice and a qualified oral surgeon who places the dental implants that will support your new teeth. Once the implants have integrated with your bone tissue, we can attach your custom dentures to these stable anchors through implant restoration, creating a restoration that feels remarkably similar to natural teeth. Many patients find that implant-supported dentures eliminate the worry of slipping or clicking that can sometimes occur with traditional dentures.
Implant-supported dentures also help preserve your jawbone structure by providing the stimulation that is necessary to prevent bone loss over time. This not only maintains your facial structure but also ensures your dentures continue to fit properly for years to come. While this option requires a greater initial investment, most patients agree that the enhanced comfort, stability, and confidence make implant-supported dentures well worth considering for their long-term oral health.
Immediate Dentures for Seamless Transition
When you need to have remaining teeth extracted, immediate dentures can eliminate the need to go without teeth during the healing process that follows extractions. These temporary dentures are fabricated before your tooth extraction appointment and placed immediately after your teeth are removed. This approach ensures you never have to face the world without teeth, maintaining your appearance and basic function throughout your recovery period.
While immediate dentures provide the benefit of continuous tooth coverage, they require several follow-up appointments for adjustments as your gums heal and change shape during the recovery process. During the healing process, your dentist will make necessary modifications to ensure proper fit and comfort that allows you to function normally. Once your tissues have fully healed, you may choose to have your immediate dentures relined or replaced with conventional full dentures for optimal long-term results.
The journey with immediate dentures requires patience and understanding, as the initial fit may not be as comfortable as final dentures that are placed after complete healing. However, most patients appreciate being able to maintain their appearance and continue eating soft foods while their mouths heal properly. Our team provides detailed instructions for caring for your immediate dentures and managing any discomfort during the adjustment period.
Caring for Your New Dentures
Proper care of your dentures is essential for maintaining their appearance, function, and longevity in ways that will serve you well for years to come. Just like natural teeth, dentures require daily cleaning to remove food particles and prevent the buildup of harmful bacteria that can affect both your dentures and your overall oral health. Remove your dentures each evening and brush them gently with a soft-bristled brush and mild denture cleaner to prevent staining and maintain oral hygiene.
After brushing, soak your dentures overnight in a denture cleaning solution or plain water to keep them moist and maintain their shape properly. Never use hot water, which can warp the denture material, and avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners that could damage the surface of your dentures. Handle your dentures carefully over a folded towel or basin of water to prevent breakage if they slip from your hands during cleaning.
Regular dental checkups remain important even after receiving dentures, as we need to monitor your oral health and ensure your dentures continue to fit properly as your mouth changes over time. Changes in your mouth over time may require adjustments or relines to maintain optimal comfort and function that keep you happy with your results. If you experience persistent sore spots, difficulty eating, or notice changes in fit, contact our office promptly for an evaluation.
Experience Quality Denture Care at Imagine Dentistry
At Imagine Dentistry, we’re committed to helping you achieve the confident, functional smile that you deserve through personalized denture solutions that are designed specifically for your needs. Dr. Ann Blaine Coambs combines extensive experience with advanced training, and her colleague Dr. Shelli Boucher has over 15 years of experience, including extensive continuing education at The Dawson Academy, to understand complex bite-related dental issues that can impact your comfort and oral health. Our state-of-the-art facility in Charlotte’s Arboretum area is equipped with the latest dental technology to ensure precise, comfortable treatment that exceeds your expectations.
We understand adjusting to new dentures can feel overwhelming, which is why our compassionate team provides ongoing support throughout your treatment journey that helps you feel confident every step of the way. From your initial consultation through final delivery and beyond, we’re here to answer questions, make adjustments, and ensure your complete satisfaction with your results. To learn more about our dentures options and schedule your consultation, call our office at (704) 540-7600 or request an appointment through our convenient online form.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dentures
Our patients typically ask us the following common questions:
The cost of dentures in Charlotte NC, varies depending on the type and complexity of your case, as well as the specific materials and techniques that are used for your treatment. Complete or partial dentures typically range from $1,000 to $3,000 per arch, while implant-supported dentures may cost $3,000 to $6,000 per arch due to the additional surgical procedures that are required.
Factors affecting denture cost include the materials that are used, the number of adjustments needed, and whether additional procedures like tooth extraction are necessary. At Imagine Dentistry, we work with most insurance plans and offer financing options through CareCredit to help make quality dentures more accessible.
With proper care and maintenance, dentures typically last between 5 to 10 years before needing replacement, though this can vary based on several important factors. However, the lifespan of your dentures depends on several factors, including the quality of materials that are used, how well you care for them, and natural changes in your mouth over time. Partial dentures may need replacement sooner than full dentures due to the additional stress that is placed on the framework. Regular checkups at our Charlotte dental office allow us to monitor your dentures’ condition and recommend adjustments or replacements when needed to maintain optimal fit and function.
Yes, you can eat normally with dentures, though it may take some adjustment time initially as you learn to use your new teeth effectively! Start with soft foods and gradually introduce firmer textures as you become comfortable wearing dentures and gain confidence in your abilities. Cut food into smaller pieces and chew slowly using both sides of your mouth to maintain balance and prevent your dentures from shifting. Avoid extremely hard, sticky, or chewy foods that could damage your dentures or cause them to shift uncomfortably. With practice and properly fitting dentures, most patients can enjoy their favorite foods without significant restrictions.
Well-fitting dentures should stay in place through natural suction and proper fit against your gums, especially upper dentures, which typically have better retention due to the larger surface area. However, some patients may benefit from denture adhesive for additional security, particularly with lower dentures, which can be more challenging to stabilize due to tongue movement. Implant-supported dentures eliminate the need for adhesives entirely by anchoring directly to dental implants that are placed in your jawbone. If your dentures frequently slip or feel loose, this may indicate that they need adjustment or replacement rather than relying heavily on adhesives.
Adjusting to new dentures typically takes several weeks as your mouth adapts to the new appliance and you learn to use your new teeth effectively. Initially, you may experience increased saliva production, minor soreness, and difficulty with certain sounds or foods that you previously enjoyed. Practice speaking by reading aloud, and start with soft foods to build confidence in your new abilities.
Remove your dentures at night to give your gums time to rest and recover from wearing them during the day. Most adjustment issues resolve naturally, but don’t hesitate to contact our office if you experience persistent pain or significant difficulty with basic functions that interfere with your daily life. We can make necessary adjustments to improve comfort and fit during your healing process.
Imagine Dentistry at the Arboretum
Dental Insurance
We accept most dental insurances, and we will always work to get the most out of your benefits. If it would help to break up the cost of your care into smaller monthly payments, we are prepared to discuss payment plan options with you. We offer an excellent Membership Plan with our office, as well as financing with Care Credit. If you are looking for a dentist in Charlotte, NC, our team will be delighted to assist you in scheduling an appointment today.
