Custom Fit Dentures in San Antonio
The loss of natural teeth can be caused by injury, tooth decay, or gum disease. Missing teeth can cause facial muscles to become weak and sag, impact speech patterns and make it difficult to enjoy many foods.
For adults in San Antonio, dentures are a natural-looking option to replace teeth. Dr. Jabbour of Blanco Crossing Dental in offers two types of dentures – full dentures and partial dentures. These treatment options can help you to restore your ability speak, chew food properly, and of course smile.
Types of Dentures We Offer in our Stone Oak Dental Office
Full Dentures (aka Complete Dentures)
For patients that have lost all of their natural teeth, full dentures are recommended to replace the functionality of those missing teeth. Dr. Jabbour will take impressions of your mouth for a precise fit, and help select the correct shape, size, and color of the teeth.
Prior to the custom-made dentures being fitted, your gums will need adequate healing time to recover from any tooth extractions. Once your gums have gone through the healing process, our San Antonio dentist will insert the dentures to confirm they fit comfortably and are tight. Dr. Jabbour will also show you how to properly insert and remove the false teeth, as well as how to properly clean and store the oral appliance.
Partial Dentures
For patients that have not lost all of their natural teeth, but have lost more teeth than can be replaced by a dental bridge, partial dentures are recommended. Partial dentures are attached to a metal frame that is connected to your existing teeth and are used to fill in where permanent teeth have been removed.
There are two types of partial dentures – removable and fixed:
- Removable partial dentures can be removed for cleaning or eating.
- Fixed partial dentures are similar to a dental bridge, in that they are cemented into place using the adjacent teeth for support.
Temporary Teeth Replacement Options
Flipper (Temporary Partial Denture)
A temporary partial denture – also called a flipper – is an option for temporary teeth replacement in some circumstances. This type of temporary denture is lightweight – but not very durable. They are however quite inexpensive and can serve as a temporary replacement while waiting for a more permanent tooth replacement option to become available. We do offer flippers for temporary use at our dental office.
Immediate Dentures
Immediate dentures allow patients to have biting and chewing function immediately after having their teeth extracted. Usually this occurs as part of a full mouth extraction. Hence the term “immediate denture” – you get a replacement set of temporary dentures the same day that your extraction occurs.
The dentures aren’t custom fit for your mouth. While not perfect, they’re a decent enough substitute until your mouth fully heals and your custom fit dentures arrive – which can take a few months. They won’t look, feel or function quite as well as your original teeth or your custom fit dentures. They are also prone to to slip or cause irritation as they aren’t a perfect fit.
Implant-Supported Dentures: The Best of Both Worlds
Implant supported dentures are a popular upgrade for patients who want more stability than traditional removable dentures can offer. Rather than resting on the gums, implant dentures are anchored to dental implants that are surgically placed in the jawbone.
This makes implant supported dentures far more secure than conventional options. They don’t slip, don’t require adhesive, and feel much closer to natural teeth. For patients in North San Antonio who have been frustrated by loose or uncomfortable traditional dentures, implant dentures are often a life-changing upgrade.
There are two main types of implant-supported dentures. The first is a removable implant overdenture, which snaps onto the implants and can be removed for cleaning. The second is a fixed implant-supported bridge, which is permanently attached and can only be removed by your dentist. Both options dramatically outperform traditional dentures in terms of stability and comfort.
One important benefit of implant dentures is their effect on bone health. Tooth extractions can not only lead to teeth shifting, but can also lead to an even more serious problem: bone loss in your jaw – more about that in a moment.
Since implants are anchored in the jawbone, they stimulate the bone the same way natural tooth roots do — helping to prevent the bone loss that commonly occurs after tooth loss.
How Tooth Loss Affects Your Gums and Jawbone
Tooth loss doesn’t just create a visible gap in your smile — it sets off a chain of biological changes in your mouth that can affect your long-term dental care needs.
When a natural tooth is lost, the gum tissue and jawbone beneath it no longer receive stimulation. Without that stimulation, the bone begins to resorb — meaning it gradually breaks down and shrinks. This process of bone loss can cause the face to take on a sunken appearance over time, and it is one of the primary reasons that denture wearers eventually need their appliances refit or replaced.
The gums also change shape as bone resorbs beneath them. This is why new dentures that fit perfectly at first may feel looser after a year or two. It is a natural consequence of the underlying bone changes — not a sign that something went wrong during your fitting.
Understanding this process helps set realistic expectations for long-term denture wearers. Regular checkups with Dr. Jabbour will help monitor how your gums and jawbone are changing over time, so that adjustments or new dentures can be made before discomfort becomes a problem.
Dentures vs Dental Implants
Both traditional dentures and dental implants are viable teeth replacement options. With either, you’ll get your smile back, be able to speak properly, and restore chewing function.
Cost: Implant vs Denture
Dental implants are much more expensive than dentures. A single tooth implant varies in cost – but can be $2,000 or more to replace your missing tooth. Full mouth dental implants to replace all teeth can get very expensive quickly.
With dentures, the cost is much lower. Depending on the type of dentures (partial vs. full) the cost is significantly less than the cost for dental implants.
Function: Implant vs Denture
Dental Implants: Permanently Attached
A dental implant will closely resemble your natural tooth. They look more natural and are anchored to your jawbone. This helps to prevent bone loss due to missing teeth. They are solid and stay in place. Hygiene requirements aren’t as strict as the process that you have to go through with dentures.
In order to be a good candidate for dental implants, your jawbone must be in good enough shape to anchor the post that is used for dental implants. If available bone is insufficient, a bone graft may be required to strengthen your jawbone which adds to the overall cost.
Dentures: Removable
Dentures aren’t permanently attached to your jaw. This means that they can slip. Loose dentures are a common complaint among denture wearers. Tooth loss can result in degradation of the jawbone, which means that your bite may change over time. This means that you will periodically have to be fitted for new dentures.
Dental Insurance Coverage for Dentures in San Antonio
Dental insurance coverage for dentures varies by plan, but many dental plans do cover a portion of the cost of new dentures. Most traditional dental insurance plans include coverage for restorative procedures like dentures under their major services category, typically covering 50% of the cost after your deductible is met.
At Blanco Crossing Dental, we work with a wide range of dental insurance plans to help patients in Stone Oak and North San Antonio maximize their benefits. If you are uncertain whether your plan covers dentures, our team can help you verify your coverage before your appointment.
For patients who don’t have dental insurance, we also offer financing options to make affordable dentures accessible. Replacing missing teeth is an important investment in your overall health and quality of life, and we are committed to helping patients find a path to care regardless of their coverage situation.
If you have questions about dental plan options or want to understand what out-of-pocket costs to expect, don’t hesitate to call our office. Being upfront about costs is part of how we provide quality dental care to our North San Antonio community.
How to Care for Your New Dentures
Getting new dentures is just the beginning — proper daily care is essential to extending their lifespan and keeping your mouth healthy.
Removable dentures should be cleaned every day using a soft-bristle brush and a denture cleaning solution. Avoid regular toothpaste, as it can be abrasive enough to scratch the surface of the appliance. Scratches create tiny crevices where bacteria can accumulate.
This Video from the American Dental Association Discusses the Importance of Properly Caring for Your Dentures as Well as the Importance of Healthy Heating Even After Tooth Loss
When you are not wearing your dentures, store them in water or a denture soaking solution to prevent them from drying out and warping. Dry dentures can lose their shape, which affects how they fit when reinserted.
Even with dentures, your gums need daily attention. Brush your gums, tongue, and the roof of your mouth with a soft brush each morning before inserting your dentures. This stimulates circulation and removes plaque that can otherwise build up beneath the appliance.
Denture adhesive can help improve the stability of your dentures if you are experiencing minor slippage. However, if your dentures are slipping frequently, that is a signal that the fit has changed and it may be time for a reline or a new set. Relying on denture adhesive as a long-term substitute for a proper fit is not recommended.
Plan for periodic checkups even after you receive your dentures. Dr. Jabbour will examine your gums, monitor for any bone changes, and evaluate whether your existing dentures are still providing a good fit.
Avoiding Tooth Loss
While dentures and implants are effective at replacing functionality after a tooth extraction, the best possible solution is to avoid losing a tooth in the first place. Sometimes an extraction can be avoided with proper oral health and consistent dental care.
Even if a tooth does become infected, it can often be saved with a procedure like a root canal. A root canal allows you to keep your tooth — thereby eliminating the need for a replacement tooth. Root canal therapy can also prevent the infection from spreading into gum tissue and negatively impacting your nearby remaining teeth.
Prevention starts with twice-daily brushing, daily flossing, and twice-yearly professional cleanings. These habits are your first line of defense against the tooth decay and gum disease that are the most common causes of tooth loss in adults.
Dentures at Our Stone Oak Dentistry
Blanco Crossing Dental – Dr. Jabbour DDS
For more information about dentures or any of our dental services, reach out and schedule an appointment!
