Complete & Partial Dentures

Complete and partial dentures restore your full smile, benefitting your health, appearance, and confidence.

Losing natural teeth at any age—whether from gum disease, tooth decay, or injury—affects how you speak and eat, as well as your face and profile. When you lose your teeth, facial muscles can droop, causing you to look pre-maturely aged. Restoration of your smile not only benefits your health, but can works wonders for your appearance and confidence.

A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and tissue. Made of a combination of acrylic, nylon polymers, plastic, porcelain, and metals, dentures are designed to closely resemble your original, natural teeth. There are several types of dentures, including complete and partial, and we will work with you to select the best style and fit to restore your smile.

Initially, patients may need all or some teeth extracted, depending on each case. Once the tissue has healed from the extractions, we take impressions and bite records to determine the proper dimensions and jaw position. At a try-in visit, the patient can assess the color, shape, and fit, of the denture. After the necessary adjustments are made, the final denture is delivered at the following visit. A complete denture is used to replace all teeth and comes in two types: immediate and conventional. An immediate denture is delivered the same day teeth are extracted to allow you to have teeth while your tissues are healing. Immediate dentures help to protect the healing tissue, but will become loose after the healing tissues shrink. A conventional denture is placed only after all tissue has healed. A partial denture fills the spaces from missing teeth, preventing other teeth from shifting. Typically, a partial denture consists of replacement teeth that are adhered to a gum-colored base. The base may be attached through a metal framework and clasps with connectors, or with precision attachments. Sometimes, crowns are needed on natural teeth to improve the fit. It’s perfectly normal for a new denture to feel awkward at first. You need time to adjust to your new “teeth.” You will be able to speak normally in just a short time; however, you may find a few words difficult to pronounce. Practice saying these words aloud.

Eating may be uncomfortable for a few days. Eating soft foods in the beginning helps with minor irritation and soreness, and chewing on both sides helps to evenly distribute pressure.

Increased saliva flow is common at first, as is the feeling that your denture is loose in your mouth. Your cheek muscles and tongue also need to adjust to keep the denture in place. To help with this, we may recommend a denture adhesive, which come in many forms from creams and liquids to powders and strips.

Inserting and removing your denture will also take time to feel natural. Never force your denture into place as this could break its attachments.

We give each patient personalized instruction regarding when and how long to wear the denture before removing. We may ask you to wear your denture all the time at first so that we can determine if any adjustment is needed as soon as possible. Once adjusted, we will most likely recommend you remove your denture at bedtime. This gives your gums time to rest promoting better long-term health.

Even with full dentures, practicing good oral hygiene is important. To stimulate circulation and remove plaque, continue to brush your gums, tongue, and roof of mouth every morning before placing your dentures, after meals, and before bedtime.

Good oral hygiene applies to your dentures as well. If you use a partial denture, remove it before brushing your natural teeth. Rinse and clean your denture daily with a special cleanser and soft-bristled toothbrush. In addition to removing food particles and plaque, gentle brushing will help remove any stains from your “teeth.” It’s good practice to clean your denture over a sink of cool water or folded towel in case you drop it by accident.

Always use cool water when cleaning your denture, as hot water can cause it to warp and lose its shape, which affects its fit. Once you remove your denture, store it in the same, safe place, soaking in cool water.

Regular dental checkups are important so that we can examine your mouth tissue. Over time, the mouth experiences normal changes that include minor receding of the gums and bones. Your denture may need slight adjustment to fit properly. A proper fit is important as it prevents irritation, sores, and infection.

Never use a dental cleanser or adhesive that we did not recommend and NEVER adjust your denture yourself. It’s easy to damage a denture beyond repair, requiring a new one. Should anything happen, or you feel the fit is no longer correct, call our office immediately and we will repair your denture quickly and conveniently.