If you're missing teeth, you may be considering dentures. Dentures have come a long way, and there are many different types. If you're thinking dentures could be the best fit for you, check out these three questions to consider.

Are You in a Hurry to Get a Beautiful Smile?

Depending on your situation and your personal preference, you may want your dentures as soon as possible, or you may be fine with waiting. For example, if you've gone years without teeth, you might not mind waiting a few more weeks, but if you want your dentures fast, immediate dentures are available. Immediate dentures are made before your teeth are pulled (if necessary). Before the area even heals, the dentures can be worn and used as normal. With traditional dentures, the area must heal before the dentures can be created.

There is a disadvantage to getting immediate dentures, however. They simply might not fit right for long. The reason the dentist usually waits to craft your dentures is because the area changes in size as it heals. If you get immediate dentures, they may not fit right once the area is fully healed. This means you'll need to get a new pair or consider relines. Reline refers to a process of adding more plastic to the denture to fit your mouth better. They can be performed directly by your dentist in a visit, or the lab can craft them for you.

How Much Are You Willing to Spend?

Getting dentures isn't as cheap as getting a simple filling, and your insurance may only pay for some or none of the dentures, so you'll need to determine your budget. On the cheap end, a pair of dentures will cost between $600 and $1,000. Premium dentures, however, look better and last longer. They tend to cost around $4,000 to $8,000. Lastly, the most expensive option is implant-supported dentures, which can cost up to $30,000.

If you decide to get the immediate dentures, this also affects the price. While immediate dentures alone are about the same price as traditional dentures, they do have other costs to consider. If your mouth shrinks too much after healing, your immediate dentures may not fit well, making it difficult to eat and talk. This increases the cost because you'll need to pay for a new set or relines. Relines, are the cheaper option, but they still cost between $270 and $470. The price depends on whether the reline is soft or hard and whether it was crafted in the lab or by the dentist. Your best bet to save money is to get a mid-grade pair of traditional dentures, so they don't need to be replaced soon and are durable.  

Why Do You Want Dentures?

It may seem silly, but you should also ask yourself why you want dentures. This question is deeper than just wanting a nice smile. Even cheap dentures can drastically improve the look of your smile. If your only goal is to have a nice smile that you're not ashamed to show off, and you want to be able to eat and talk properly again, traditional and immediate dentures are a great choice. They will return confidence and let you eat most of the foods you love again.

Traditional dentures, however, do have limitations because they don't help protect your jawbone from deteriorating. With no teeth, your jawbone shrinks, and dentures don't fix this. Therefore, if your goals aren't just to get a better smile, and you want to protect the shape of your mouth and jaw, implant-supported dentures are your best option. They are still removable, but they snap into place, making them incredibly stable. Of course, these are the most costly option.

Don't hide your smile another moment because you have missing teeth. Dentures are a great way to get back your beautiful smile, and with so many types of dentures, you'll find exactly what you need. For more information regarding dentures and implants, check out sites like http://www.bristoldental.com and contact a dentist in your area.