Dentures: FSA Eligibility

Eligible expenses for Limited FSAs can vary. To find out exactly what your Limited FSA covers, contact your FSA administrator.

What are dentures?

Over the course of an individual's life, tooth loss can occur thanks to a variety of sources, and if this condition is allowed to continue unabated, this can lead to sagging in facial muscles, which can contribute to the signs of aging, as well as making it more difficult to eat and speak. In these cases, the most popular option to replace missing teeth is with dentures, which are removable appliances that are constructed for the unique shape of a person's palette to fill out the appearance of an individual's face and profile (American Dental Association).

No two sets of dentures will ever be alike as they are made for the unique shape of a wearer's mouth, but they do fall into a set of classifications meant to correct specific health problems. In the majority of cases before dentures are made, the remaining teeth in the individual's mouth must be removed. Dentures for both full and partial sets are available, and these denture classifications include via WebMD:

• Complete Dentures: These denture types fall into two other subcategories, conventional and immediate dentures. Conventional dentures refer to those that are made after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has begun to heal, about 8 to 12 weeks after tooth removal. Conventional dentures are typically full, removable designs, but their main shortcoming is forcing patients to go without teeth for months on end. However, immediate dentures are placed in the mouth as soon as the teeth are removed, which ensures that individuals do not have to be without teeth during the healing period.
• Overdentures: In some cases, when existing teeth can be saved, overdentures are an option that fits over a small number of the remaining natural teeth. These teeth can provide additional support for the new denture, as well as helping to preserve the existing jawbone. This is also known as a "partial" denture, and it has the unique advantage of preventing other teeth from changing position.

Individuals who are interested in dentures should speak with their dentists about preliminary steps such as consultations with prosthodontists, taking jaw impressions/measurements and models to find the appropriate dental appliance to restore the look and function of a patient's smile.