Dentures

Dentures Dentistry

Replacing missing teeth with dentures does more than restore your smile — it helps maintain the natural shape of your face. Without teeth for support, your cheeks and jaw can begin to sag, leading to a sunken or older appearance.

With full or partial dentures, you can eat, speak, and smile with greater confidence. They restore your ability to chew more foods and bring balance back to your bite. Many patients find they can enjoy meals again that were once too difficult with missing teeth.

It’s important to remember that dentures are a prosthetic, not a perfect substitute for natural teeth. While they restore appearance and function, they may take some getting used to. Chewing and speaking can feel different at first. You may need to avoid certain tough or sticky foods and adjust how you eat — like cutting meats into smaller bites. Speech may be affected initially, but most patients adapt quickly with practice.

Your dentist will help guide you through the adjustment period and make sure your dentures fit comfortably and function well for your lifestyle.

Dentures

What Are Dentures?

Dentures are custom-made dental prosthetics designed to replace missing teeth. They consist of a gum-colored plastic base that fits over your jaw, with artificial teeth usually crafted from durable acrylic. Both the gum portion and the teeth are carefully color-matched to look natural and blend seamlessly with your mouth. If you’re missing all your teeth, full dentures replace the entire upper or lower arch. If you still have some natural teeth, partial dentures are designed to fill in the gaps while anchoring to the remaining teeth for added stability. Upper dentures typically cover both the ridge where your teeth once were and the roof of your mouth. They’re held in place mainly by suction. Lower dentures don’t have the same surface area for suction, so they may feel a bit less secure at first. With a little time and practice, most people adjust comfortably to wearing them.

Procedure Overview

Full and Partial Dentures

Full Dentures
Full dentures are designed to replace all the teeth in your upper or lower jaw. Upper dentures stay in place through suction along the palate, while lower dentures can take more time to adjust to since they have less surface area to grip. Once fitted, they restore your smile and help with chewing and speaking.

Partial Dentures
Partial dentures fill in gaps left by missing teeth. They clip onto your remaining natural teeth for stability. There are two main types:

Cast partials, made with a metal framework and metal clips, are thinner and more durable but may be visible when smiling.
Flexible partials, made entirely of plastic, offer a more discreet look with clips that blend in with your gums and teeth.

Getting Dentures
The process begins with a mold or scan of your mouth. A model is created to match your jaw’s unique shape and contours. Once your dentures are ready, the dentist checks the fit and makes adjustments if needed. You’ll only leave with your new smile once everything feels right.

Caring for Dentures
Proper care keeps your dentures in good condition and protects your oral health. Remove them at night to give your gums a break and let saliva do its natural healing work. Clean your dentures daily using a soft brush and denture-safe cleaner. When cleaning, always handle them over a towel or water-filled sink to avoid breakage if dropped. Store them overnight in a denture solution to keep them from drying out and becoming brittle.

Procedure Overview

Full and Partial Dentures

Procedure Overview

The procedure for getting dentures is fairly simple but may take multiple appointments. First, your dentist takes a mold or scan of your gums & any remaining teeth. From this mold we will make a model of your mouth so that we can create a denture that fits every small ridge or contour of your jawbone & gums. Your dentist will invite you back to try on your dentures & make sure they fit comfortably & securely. If the fit is good, you will be able to wear your new dentures home. If not, the dentist will make adjustments until it’s right.

Aftercare

Caring for your dentures is incredibly important — just as important as caring for natural teeth. Both full & partial dentures are removable & it is not recommended that they be worn at night. This gives your gums a chance to rest & allows your saliva to naturally lubricate your gums & the rest of your mouth. Dentures need to be cleaned overnight using special denture toothpaste & a soft-bristled toothbrush or denture brush. Be careful when cleaning not to drop your dentures on a hard surface; this is a frequent cause of denture breakage. We recommend laying out a towel or filling the sink basin with water while you clean your dentures. Dentures should be soaked overnight in a denture solution to keep them moist as drying out may cause brittleness.