Full and Partial Dentures in Erie, PA

Healthy mouth structure allows us the ability to smile, chew foods comfortably, and speak clearly. When extensive tooth loss begins to affect these abilities, our quality of life can suffer significantly. Dentures comprise a full or partial set of artificial teeth that help restore these critical functions. They are constructed from a durable hard resin material, and custom-fitted and fabricated to your mouth to achieve the most natural look and feel possible.

elderly couple smiling

Types of dentures

Depending on the extent of tooth loss and patient preference, there are several types of dentures you might be fitted with. 

Full vs. partial dentures

Full dentures replace an entire row of missing teeth along the top and/or bottom gumline and are held in place by suction or with the aid of an oral adhesive.

Partial dentures are used in situations when one or more teeth along a particular gumline are salvageable and are designed to fit around the remaining natural teeth. 

Permanent vs. immediate dentures

Permanent dentures are intended to be a long-term replacement for missing teeth, with a lifespan of five or more years. 

Immediate dentures are fabricated just prior to dental surgery, filling in for the extracted teeth until the mouth is healed enough for accurately fitting permanent dentures. You may need to be refitted for new sets of immediate dentures as swelling in the mouth subsides.

Tooth-supported vs. implant-supported overdentures

For many patients, overdentures present a more comfortable alternative to traditional dentures. Like traditional full or partial dentures, they’re fully removable, but a built-in attachment system negates the need for an oral adhesive. They’re classified by whether they fit over modified natural tooth structures (pulp and crowns removed, but roots preserved) or dental implants (with titanium posts anchored into the jawbone serving as the roots). 

Fitting for dentures

Getting fit for your new set of permanent dentures consists of four steps:

  1. We’ll take a series of impressions to better understand the mechanics of your jaw structure and bite.
  2. From the impressions, we will create a prototype of the denture that we will test for accurate color, shape, and fit. 
  3. Your permanent dentures will be fabricated in a lab.
  4. Minor adjustments and tweaks as necessary.

Restore your smile with Sleep Dentistry

Tooth loss is no fun for anyone, but it should by no means represent an end to enjoying some of life’s most fundamental pleasures — sharing a warm smile, a good story, or a delicious meal. Visit Sleep Dentistry in Erie, PA for dentures or any dental restoration need, and the peace of mind that your comfort, peace of mind, and dignity are our top priorities.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average cost of a full set of dentures in Pennsylvania?

The cost of dentures in Pennsylvania can vary widely, depending on the type of denture, the material they’re constructed from, and the amount of customization. The average cost for a full set of mid-range dentures is about $1,800 — this price point will usually get you something that looks natural and of solid quality. Keep in mind that tooth extractions and other dental procedures to prepare the mouth for the dentures may represent additional costs. 

Does Medicare cover dentures?

No, Medicare does not cover the cost of dentures — nor does it cover the cost of most dental appliances. However, many dental insurance plans will cover at least a portion of the cost. Sleep Dentistry in Erie, PA also offers financial assistance, including monthly payment plans, to help you realize the benefits of your new set of dentures without paying the full cost upfront.

How do you clean dentures?

To clean your dentures:

  1. Run the appliance under water to release any trapped food particles
  2. Using a denture brush or an extra soft-bristled toothbrush, clean with water, denture paste, or a toothpaste free of abrasives (these will wear away at the denture material faster). 
  3. Soak dentures in a denture cleaning solution overnight, or use a rapidly acting cleanser and store in water. 
Can you eat with dentures?

You can eat and enjoy most foods after adjusting to your first few weeks in dentures, although you’ll want to exercise caution with hard, crunchy, chewy, or sticky foods. Starting out, we recommend soft foods like mashed potatoes, oatmeal, applesauce, eggs, yogurt, etc. Test heated foods before consuming — dentures do not have the nerve endings and temperature feedback capacities of natural teeth, and we do not want you to burn your mouth or tongue!

Can you sleep with dentures?

You can sleep with dentures, but you shouldn’t sleep with dentures for several reasons:

  1. Holding them in place puts a lot of pressure on the gums and underlying bone structure, and may negatively affect the shape of the mouth and in turn the fit of the appliance.
  2. Dentures provide ideal overnight accommodations for bacteria growth, which can irritate and inflame the gums leading to gum disease. 
  3. Dentures left in the mouth overnight can obstruct normal salivary flow, drying out the mouth and increased risk of developing oral thrush, a type of yeast infection of the gums and other soft tissues.
What is the cost of full dentures with extractions?

The cost of full dentures with extractions varies widely, typically ranging from $2,000 to $8,000 or more.

Basic dentures cost $600 to $1,500, mid-range $1,500 to $3,000, and premium options over $3,000. Extractions add $75 to $650 per tooth. Insurance may cover some costs, especially for extractions. Check with your provider or schedule an appointment with Dr. Mahoney for a personalized estimate. Payment plans and financing options are also available!

Where To Find Us 

📍 Address: 3915 Caughey Rd, Erie, PA 16506
 
📞 Phone:  (814) 833-3505
 

Recent Posts

Why You Should Choose Sleep Dentistry with Dr. Kevin Mahoney

Posted on February 25th, 2022 at 1:25 PM
Why You Should Choose Sleep Dentistry with Dr. Kevin Mahoney

At Sleep Dentistry, we cater our services to you. Our goal is to provide you with quality dental care, while also keeping your comfort as our top priority. Whether you love the dentist, or whether you’re someone who gets tense just thinking about your next appointment, we center our care around giving you peace of mind. 

Dr. Kevin Mahoney has over 34 overs of dental care experience. He loves being able to provide quality care to the patients in Erie, however, he knows that patient comfort is a core element of a positive patient experience. At Sleep Dentistry, our team has experience with all different types of patients. Our sedation dentistry services and focus on relaxation dentistry practices set us apart from others. 

We help ease dental anxiety for all patients

Pediatric dental care

Dental checkups happen much more frequently for children in their growing stages as they reach their dental milestones. On average, children are required to visit the dentist once every six months. That can be quite the challenge if your little one gets anxious around the dentist. At Sleep Dentistry, we realize that dental health is important, however, we also strive to provide services during your visit that will make it easy and comfortable. 

At Sleep Dentistry, we offer therapy dogs for anxiety relating to the dentist’s office. Our therapy dogs, or should we say “dogtors”, are trained in providing affection and support to patients who experience dental anxiety. Dogtor Gizmo and his brother Gadget are the in-office therapy dogs at Sleep Dentistry and they make sure our patients feel peaceful during their visits. There have been plenty of times that our Dogtors have made visiting the dentist a relaxing, and even enjoyable, experience.

Special needs patients

At Sleep Dentistry, we’re used to adapting our dental treatments to accommodate the needs of our patients. We do this for everyone who walks through the door at Sleep Dentistry, including special needs dental patients. We’ve worked with patients who have autism, ADHD, Alzheimer’s, Down syndrome, and more. We provide thorough communication during visits, physical accessibility, as well as comfort and safety measures during treatment care. 

For special needs individuals with low-income status, it may be difficult to pay for dental care. We offer financial assistance for dental services to all of our patients and work with you to determine a suitable plan for you.

Cosmetic dentistry

Sometimes patients may want to improve and enhance their smile, but dental anxiety can get in the way of achieving the smile they desire. Sleep Dentistry is here for all who have difficulty going to the dentist. Dr. Kevin Mahoney is a board-certified dental anesthesiologist, and his focuses are in family and cosmetic dentistry. Before the beginning of any cosmetic dental treatment, Dr. Mahoney can administer a safe sedative or general anesthesia, which allows for more dental work to be completed in a smaller time frame.

Nothing should be holding you back to achieve the smile of your dreams. That’s why we offer many services that help our patients feel comfortable during their visits. We offer a smile makeover treatment, a lifetime whitening program, and tooth restoration services within our cosmetic dentistry solutions.

Orthodontic dentistry

Orthodontic treatments can lead you to a healthier smile, but these treatments often take many visits that can be stress-inducing for patients with dental anxiety. Our Dogtors are always happy to see our orthodontics patients and provide them with the utmost comfort during their time in our office. Getting braces installed may provide minor discomfort to your teeth and mouth. Sleep Dentistry provides topical anesthesia, sedation, and anesthesiology so that your visit is quick, easy, and painless. 

Dental therapy dogs for dental anxiety in Erie, PA

Our dental therapy dogs can provide comfort and ease stress

The Dogtors are in the office! Our dental therapy dogs, Gizmo and Gadget, have been comforting patients in the Erie area for a few years now. These Dogtors help us provide quality relaxation dentistry to our clients. Therapy dogs have been proven to help patients who have dental anxiety. They can decrease blood pressure, lower anxiety, and aid in positive interactions within typically stressful environments.

Many of our patients love the added sense of familiarity, comfort, and companionship that’s provided by our therapy dogs. Whether you want both Dogtors in the room with you, for the whole treatment, or just for a little while, we are willing to provide dental care that adapts to your needs. Stop in and meet the Dogtors during your next appointment!

Relax in our in-office spa room

Sleep Dentistry is happy to offer a relaxing spa room as an additional benefit to our patients. It may sound odd that a dental office offers an in-office spa room, however, our commitment to our patient’s comfort has led us to provide a variety of services that benefit their experience. Our spa room allows clients to spend time relaxing right before their appointment. We offer massage chairs and paraffin wax, which can be used safely on hands. Schedule a session in the spa room for your next dentist appointment!

Your best choice for dental services in Erie, PA

Sleep Dentistry with Dr. Kevin Mahoney provides top-notch dental services in Erie, PA, all with you in mind. Our focus on patient care and comfort creates an ideal environment for anyone with dental anxiety and/or phobias. Sleep Dentistry is one of its kind, being the only dentistry in Erie, PA that offers sedation services. The next time you’re struggling with making your yearly check-up, consider Sleep Dentistry with Dr. Kevin Mahoney. We promise to provide an experience tailored to you.

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