TL;DR
Dentures replace missing teeth with a removable set made to fit your mouth. A complete denture replaces a full arch, a partial clips to your remaining teeth, and an implant-supported denture snaps onto implants for a steadier hold. Making one takes several visits: impressions, bite records, a try-in, then the fitting and adjustments. Our smile gallery shows a full upper and lower case built on implants. The practice has run a $500-off denture offer with a free denture exam for new patients, and seniors and military families have standing discounts.
What kinds of dentures are there?
There are four main kinds, and the right one depends on how many teeth you have left and how you want the denture to hold:
Partial dentures also do a quieter job: they stop the remaining teeth from drifting into the spaces. A partial and a fixed bridge both fill gaps, and we’ll weigh them for you when only a tooth or two is missing.
- Complete dentures, which replace all the teeth in the upper or lower arch and rest on the gums
- Partial dentures, which fill gaps and hold on to the natural teeth with small clasps
- Immediate dentures, made ahead of time and placed on the day teeth are removed
- Implant-supported dentures, which attach to implants in the jaw for a firmer hold
How are dentures made and fitted?
A denture is built over several appointments, because fit and appearance are both adjusted along the way. We start with impressions of your gums and any remaining teeth, then record how your jaws meet and how much space the teeth need to fill. You choose the shade and shape of the teeth with us.
Next comes a try-in, with the teeth set in wax, so you can see your smile, test how you speak and let us check the bite before the denture is finished. At the fitting we look for pressure points and smooth them. Expect a few follow-up visits in the first weeks; small adjustments are a normal part of getting a denture right.
What is it like to get used to new dentures?
New dentures take a few weeks of practice. Your cheeks, tongue and lips have to learn to hold them in place, and at first they may feel bulky. Extra saliva is common for the first days. Some words, especially ones with an s, may sound different until your tongue adjusts, and reading aloud helps.
Start with soft foods cut into small pieces and chew on both sides at once to keep the denture steady. Sore spots are expected early on; don’t wait them out, since a quick adjustment fixes most of them. Lower dentures usually take longer to settle than upper ones, because there’s less gum to rest on and the tongue moves them more.
When do implant-supported dentures make sense?
Implant-supported dentures make sense when a regular denture won’t stay put, which is especially common with lower dentures. A few implants in the jaw give the denture firm attachments to snap onto, so it doesn’t rock while you chew or need adhesive to stay in.
Our smile gallery has a case like this: a patient’s upper and lower arches were rebuilt with an implant-supported denture on top and implants with crowns below. It’s a bigger undertaking than a conventional denture, and results vary, but for the right patient the difference in confidence while eating can be large. Our page on implant dentistry explains the process.
How do you care for dentures and partials?
Clean your denture every day with a soft brush and a denture cleaner, since regular toothpaste is abrasive enough to scratch it. Take it out at night so the gums can rest, and keep it in water or a soaking solution so it doesn’t dry out and warp. Never use hot water, which can bend the base.
Your gums and jawbone change shape slowly over the years, so a denture that once fit well can loosen. A reline refits the base to your gums. Keep coming in for checkups even with no natural teeth left, because we still screen your mouth for oral cancer and check how the denture is wearing.
What do dentures cost, and are there offers?
Cost depends on the type of denture, the materials and your insurance, and we check your benefits at no charge before you commit. The practice has run an offer of $500 off a full set of dentures, or $250 off a single denture, with a free denture exam for new patients. Partials were included in another offer it has run, $300 off major treatment for new patients. Ask the front desk which offers are current.
Seniors receive a discount just by mentioning it at the appointment, and immediate family of active and retired military receive a discount on every procedure. CareCredit and DocPay can spread the cost.