Full or Partial Dentures

Today, it’s easier than ever to replace missing teeth and achieve natural-looking, durable, and long-lasting results! Depending on a patient’s dental needs, lifestyle, expectations of care, and budget, choices can include conventional fixed bridgework, dental implants, or removable partial and complete dentures. At the office of Dentistry on the Square, we’ll discuss all your options in care and answer all your questions as you choose the solution that’s right for you.

With advances in dental materials and technology, today’s dentures are more comfortable and realistic-looking than ever before.

Whether you wear partial or complete dentures, it’s essential to see the dentist for routine care. Besides checking the fit and condition of your dentures and making any necessary adjustments, you’ll also receive a comprehensive exam to check on the health of any remaining teeth as well as the soft and hard tissues in and around the oral cavity.

A same-day denture offers an accelerated design and fabrication process that allows a patient to go from impression taking to denture insertion in a single day.

For patients who don’t want to wait after having teeth extracted, an immediate denture can be inserted the same day your teeth are removed. Sometime later you may need the denture relined to address any changes in its fit once the extraction sites have completely healed.

While no one wants to drop or break a partial or complete denture, accidents do happen. The good news is that in some cases, your partial or complete denture is reparable. It all depends on the extent of the damage. Don’t hesitate to contact our office if you’ve broken or damaged your denture. We’re happy to help.

The simple act of taking your partial denture in and out can cause certain types of metal clasps to loosen over time. When you come in for your checkup visit or contact our office for an adjustment, we’ll assess the fit of your partial and tighten the clasps for improved stability and comfort.

While rebuilding a complete smile is a worthwhile investment, our office is sensitive to the costs involved in dental care. We customize care and will discuss which treatment options address your needs, lifestyle, and budget. How much a new denture will cost depends on the type of the prosthesis, its design, and the materials used to fabricate the supportive base, teeth, and clasps or precision attachments. Dentures that include the placement of dental implants for added retention and stability typically involve additional costs.

If you have dental insurance, your coverage may include a new or replacement set of dentures.  Our staff is happy to review your coverage with you to ensure you are maximizing your insurance benefits while minimizing any out of pocket expenses.

At the office of Dentistry on the Square, we provide an extensive range of dental services, including the latest and most effective methods to help patients with missing teeth rebuild complete and beautiful smiles. As skilled and experienced professionals, we recognize that every patient is different, and every smile is unique. We’re passionate about what we do and take great pride in providing personalized treatment plans while treating our patients as valued partners in care.

Dentures are removable dental appliances that replace missing natural teeth and the surrounding tissues. They consist of artificial teeth set into a supportive base that rests on the gums and distributes chewing forces across the jaw. Dentures restore the appearance of a complete smile and help maintain facial contours that can change after tooth loss.

Because they are removable, dentures can be taken out for cleaning and to give the tissues a chance to rest. They can replace a few missing teeth as a partial denture or all teeth in an arch as a full denture. At Dentistry on the Square, we design dentures to balance comfort, function, and natural appearance for each patient.

Good candidates for dentures are patients who have lost several teeth or who require full-arch replacement because remaining teeth are not salvageable. Adequate oral tissue health and sufficient bone support are important considerations, and any existing dental disease should be treated before denture fabrication. Patients who desire a removable solution for tooth replacement or who need a less invasive option than fixed restorations often choose dentures.

Your overall medical history and daily needs are part of the evaluation, as some health conditions can affect healing and denture tolerance. A thorough exam and diagnostic imaging will determine whether a partial, full, immediate, or implant-assisted denture is most appropriate. The chosen option should match your functional goals and long-term oral health plan.

The main categories of removable dentures are full (complete) dentures and partial dentures, with several variations within each group. Full dentures replace all teeth in the upper or lower arch, while partial dentures fill gaps left by one or more missing teeth and can help prevent unwanted shifting of the remaining teeth. Partial frameworks may be made from cast metal, flexible resin, or hybrid materials depending on strength and esthetic needs.

Variations of full dentures include conventional dentures placed after healing, immediate dentures inserted at the time of tooth removal, and overdentures that receive added support from remaining roots or attachments. Implant-supported dentures attach to dental implants for increased stability and retention and are an option when patients seek improved function. The best type depends on oral health, anatomy, and patient preferences.

The denture process typically involves an initial consultation, diagnostic records, impressions, try-ins, and a final insertion, which can take several appointments over a few weeks. Conventional full dentures require healing time after extractions before final fabrication, while immediate dentures are made in advance and placed right after teeth are removed. Each step is important to ensure accurate fit, proper bite, and natural appearance.

Patients with implant-supported options will require additional time for implant placement and healing before attachments are connected to the denture. Adjustment visits are common after delivery to refine fit and relieve any sore spots as tissues adapt. Your provider will outline an individualized timeline based on whether extractions, grafting, or implants are part of the plan.

Daily cleaning is essential to remove food particles, plaque, and stains and to keep the appliance hygienic and comfortable. Rinse dentures after eating, brush them gently with a denture brush and nonabrasive cleaner, and soak them overnight in water or a recommended denture solution to maintain shape and sanitation. Avoid using regular toothpaste or abrasive household cleaners that can scratch denture surfaces.

It is also important to care for the gums, tongue, and any remaining natural teeth by brushing and rinsing daily to reduce infection risk and maintain tissue health. Handle dentures over a soft surface or bowl of water to prevent damage if dropped. Regular dental checkups allow your provider to evaluate fit, oral tissues, and the need for adjustments or relines.

Some temporary changes in speech and eating are common as you adapt to a new denture, but most patients regain normal function within days to a few weeks. Increased saliva production, minor lisping, or difficulty pronouncing certain sounds may occur at first, and practicing speaking out loud or reading passages can speed adaptation. Chewing may feel different initially, so start with soft foods and cut items into small pieces while you build confidence.

Chewing with a denture often improves as the muscles of the mouth grow accustomed to the new shape and bite. Avoid biting hard or sticky foods until you feel secure with the prosthesis, and try to chew on both sides to distribute pressure evenly. If persistent problems with speech or eating occur, follow-up visits allow the clinician to adjust fit or occlusion for better comfort and function.

An overdenture gains support from remaining tooth roots or specially designed attachments while an implant-supported denture connects to small titanium implants placed in the jaw. Overdentures use retained roots or locate attachments on roots to improve stability and preserve bone, whereas implant-supported designs use implants as precise anchor points for improved retention and chewing efficiency. Both options offer enhanced comfort and function compared with traditional suction-retained full dentures for many patients.

Implant-supported dentures may be fixed or removable depending on the design, and the number and placement of implants are planned to optimize support and load distribution. Surgical and restorative coordination is required for implant options, and patients are evaluated for implant suitability before treatment. At Dentistry on the Square, we review these alternatives and explain how each option may affect long-term outcomes and daily life.

Regular dental checkups are important to monitor the fit and condition of dentures and to assess the health of the oral tissues and any remaining teeth. As the jawbone and gum tissue remodel over time, the fit of a denture can change and may require relining to restore proper contact and comfort. Many patients benefit from at least annual exams, though the frequency may increase if issues arise or if implants are part of the prosthesis.

Relines are procedures that add material to the underside of the denture to adapt to tissue changes and improve retention. Prompt attention to slipping, sore spots, or changes in chewing comfort helps prevent oral tissue irritation and more extensive problems. Your dental team will recommend a recall schedule and explain signs that warrant an earlier appointment.

The first few days to weeks with a new denture commonly involve mild soreness, increased saliva, and a learning curve for speech and chewing. Small adjustments at follow-up visits are normal as the clinician identifies pressure points and optimizes the fit to relieve irritation. Wearing the denture as recommended and practicing speaking and eating will accelerate adaptation and reduce discomfort.

If persistent pain, difficulty swallowing, or significant instability occurs, contact your dental provider so the denture can be assessed and adjusted. Some patients require several minor appointments to achieve optimal comfort, and relines or rebasing may be necessary over time as tissues change. Consistent care and communication with your dental team support a successful transition to daily denture use.

The treatment selection process begins with a comprehensive review of your medical and dental history, a clinical examination, and diagnostic imaging to evaluate bone, soft tissues, and remaining teeth. The clinician will discuss functional goals, esthetic expectations, and any anatomical or health factors that influence the choice between partial, full, immediate, overdenture, or implant-assisted approaches. This thorough assessment helps ensure the selected solution meets both short-term comfort and long-term oral health objectives.

Patient input about daily needs, dexterity, and personal preferences is incorporated into the treatment plan, along with evidence-based recommendations from the dental team. Trial fittings, tooth selection, and try-in appointments allow for refinements to esthetics and bite before final delivery. Clear communication and shared decision-making result in a personalized plan tailored to achieve predictable and comfortable outcomes.