Dental treatment and procedures can be quite costly. Dental prosthetics can be as costly, if not more so. In the United States, partial dentures can start at $300 and ramp up to $5,000, and full dentures run from $600 at their lowest but can balloon up to $10,000. Even considering the availability of dental health insurance coverage, the prospect of getting dentures can be a daunting one. financially speaking.
You can now get dentures in Costa Rica at a fraction of what they would cost you in your home country with the same exact degree of quality. Our dentists are all graduated from some of the most reputable dental schools in the U.S. and count with both the experience and cutting-edge tools and equipment to provide you with the best dental care in the world at a price you couldn’t even dream of finding in Canada, the U.S., or Europe.
What are Dentures and Partials?
Dentures and partials are custom-made replacements for missing teeth. Partials refer to dentures that only replace a specific number of teeth, while dentures are commonly used to refer to full dentures, which replace a full plate or set of teeth. They can be easily taken out and put back in the mouth, require a certain degree of upkeep such as cleaning them when removed from the mouth, and thanks to state-of-the-art technology and techniques have now become more comfortable and realistic than ever before.
The dentist will take impressions of your mouth and jaw to make models of them. Based on these impressions, a dental lab works on creating precise models with modern materials such as flesh-toned acrylics for the base (gum) of the dentures, while ensuring that these will sit comfortably in your mouth without impairing any of its natural functions. Upper dentures normally cover the palate like a blanket, while lower jaw dentures are shaped like an arch or horseshoe so as not to impede the tongue.
Types of Dentures and Partials
Dentures are relatively straight forward as far as dental prosthetics are concerned. There are generally only three main kinds, which we will briefly detail here.
Conventional Full Dentures: Conventional full dentures are placed in the patient’s mouth only after the remaining teeth are removed and the mouth and its tissues have been allowed to fully heal. Healing can take several months during which the patient remains without any form of temporary prosthetic to allow timely healing.
Immediate Full Dentures: Immediate Full Dentures are inserted immediately after the removal of any remaining teeth. The dentist will take careful measurements and make detailed models of the patient’s jaw prior to removal of the teeth. The advantage of getting Immediate Full Dentures is that the patient will not be without their teeth for any significant amount of time. The immediacy of these full dentures does require relining and consistent review follow-ups as the bone that supports the teeth inevitably reshapes during the healing process, which can cause the dentures to become loose.
Partial Dentures: Partial Dentures are different not just because they only replace some teeth and not a full set, but because they rest on a metal framework that attaches to the patient’s natural teeth. In certain cases, crowns are placed on some of the natural teeth to serve as anchors for the partial dentures. Given their functionality, Partial Dentures can be thought of as a manner of removable dental bridge.
Benefits of Getting Dentures in Costa Rica
Dentures not only help restore your smile and give you back dental functionality, such as eating and speaking naturally, but also eliminate the sagging of the skin around the mouth that would give a person a look of being much older than they really are. They also prevent muscular sagging, effectively preserving some of the muscle tone of your face.
How Much Does Dentures Cost in Costa Rica?
Dental prosthetics costs will vary depending on the needs of the patients. In Costa Rica, you can save up to 70% of the price you would pay back home.
Dental prosthetics of any order can be costly, especially when talking about getting the best functionality and cosmetically pleasing dentures and partials. The level of craftsmanship and understanding of biomechanics required to provide a faithful replacement for your natural teeth can come with a very hefty financial burden.
Getting Dentures and Partials in Costa Rica is an option unlike any other you can find in your home country. We count with several highly experienced and credited dentists and specialists who are ready to provide you with the very best dentures and treatment at what amounts to a fraction of the price the same quality of service would cost you at home.
Graduated from some of the most respected dental schools in the U.S., our recommended dentists have ample experience in the field and have the latest in dental technology available on the market at your disposal.
Things to Consider When Thinking of Getting Dentures and Partials
Dentures and partials are special when it comes to the care they require after you get them. Much like natural teeth, they require good hygiene habits and regular upkeep. Your mouth should also be kept in good, clean shape, as well. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you are considering getting dentures or partials:
- Keep your dentures in a cleanser soaking solution or in plain water when not using them. Do not use hot water or liquids as these will cause the dentures to warp and no longer fit your mouth properly.
- Brush your dentures regularly. Daily brushing will remove food and dental plaque, which will prevent your new teeth from becoming stained.
- Keep your mouth in good shape. Brush your gums, tongue, and palate every morning and evening with a soft-bristled tooth brush. This removes any bacterial plaque while stimulating healthy circulation in your tissues.
- Just as you would with natural teeth, it is a good rule of thumb to visit your dentist regularly to ensure that your dentures are in the best shape. If your dentures or partials become loose, chip, crack, or break, see your dentist immediately to correct the situation. Though it may be tempting, do not try to adjust or fix your dentures yourself. Doing so may damage them beyond repair and end up costing far more than any repair would.
- When handling your dentures, hold them over a folded towel or basin filled with water. Dentures are durable but are not made to resist the impact of being dropped.
Once you have gotten your dentures, it may take a little time to get fully used to them. From just a couple of weeks, to a few of months, how long it takes you to become accustomed to your new dentures will vary on how much you make use of them. Eating and speaking with dentures can be a little awkward at first, so conscious practice and attention to these tasks is key to getting used to them in a timely manner. The muscles and tissues in your mouth will also require time to lose that odd feeling you may at first experience with dentures, such as a perceived looseness or bulkiness.
With proper care, your dentures can last a very long time, and will be able to adjust to you as you age with the help of your dentist.
Contact us today to learn more about Dentures in Costa Rica today.