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 Addison Dental Studio, 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 Addison Dental Studio, 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 prostheses that replace missing teeth and the supporting structures beneath them. They consist of artificial teeth set in a base that rests on the gums and is shaped to restore facial contours and oral function. Properly designed dentures help with chewing, speaking, and maintaining a natural appearance while distributing forces across the oral tissues.

Removable dentures can replace a few teeth as partials or an entire arch as complete prostheses, and they are taken out for cleaning and inspection. Modern materials and fabrication techniques improve fit, reduce weight, and enhance lifelike tooth form. With routine adjustments and good oral hygiene, a well-made denture can provide dependable service and comfort.

Good candidates for dentures include people who are missing multiple teeth or an entire arch and whose oral health or bone structure makes fixed alternatives less suitable. Factors such as gum health, the condition of remaining teeth, systemic health considerations, and patient dexterity all influence candidacy. A clinical evaluation and discussion of functional and esthetic goals help determine whether a removable prosthesis is appropriate.

The decision also depends on personal preferences and the desire for removable versus fixed solutions, as well as the availability of implant support if greater retention is desired. Patients who can commit to routine care and follow-up visits tend to have better long-term results. During a consultation the office of Addison Dental Studio will review options and tailor a plan that fits each patient's lifestyle and oral condition.

There are several denture designs to match different needs, including partial dentures to replace a few missing teeth and complete dentures that restore an entire upper or lower arch. Within those categories you can find conventional complete dentures, immediate dentures placed at the time of extractions, overdentures that rest on retained roots, and implant‑supported dentures that attach to dental implants for added stability. Each type offers distinct advantages in terms of retention, bone preservation, and ease of maintenance.

Material and design choices — such as flexible partials, cast metal frameworks, or acrylic bases with porcelain or composite teeth — affect weight, durability, and esthetics. The condition of remaining teeth and the supporting bone, along with a patient's bite and esthetic goals, guide the selection of the most suitable design. Your dentist will explain the tradeoffs of each option and recommend a solution that balances comfort, function, and long‑term oral health.

The denture process begins with a thorough clinical exam, oral health assessment, and impressions to record the exact shape of the jaws and soft tissues. Bite records and tooth‑positioning try‑ins allow precise control of occlusion and esthetics while laboratory technicians fabricate the prosthesis to those specifications. Multiple appointments are often needed to refine fit and appearance before the final denture is delivered.

Immediate dentures can be inserted at the time of extractions so patients never leave without teeth, though they typically require relines as tissues heal. Conventional dentures are made after healing to capture a more stable tissue form and often provide improved long‑term retention. Regardless of the pathway chosen, follow‑up care and occasional adjustments are essential to maintain comfort and function.

You can expect an initial consultation and treatment planning visit followed by any necessary preparatory procedures, such as extractions or periodontal care to create a healthy foundation. Impressions, bite records, and try‑in appointments help ensure accurate tooth positioning and a pleasing appearance. The clinical team will discuss timing, whether immediate or conventional dentures are recommended, and what to expect during healing.

After delivery, a short adjustment period is normal as your mouth adapts to the new prosthesis, and minor sore spots are addressed at follow‑up visits. You will receive guidance on cleaning, wearing schedules, and strategies for eating and speaking while adapting to the appliance. Routine checkups allow your dentist to monitor tissue changes and recommend relines or repairs as needed to preserve fit and comfort.

Implant‑supported dentures attach to small titanium implants placed in the jaw, providing greater retention and stability than conventional tissue‑borne prostheses. This connection reduces movement during eating and speaking and often improves chewing efficiency and patient confidence. By transmitting functional forces to the bone, implants can also help slow the bone resorption that commonly follows tooth loss.

Receiving implant‑supported dentures typically requires surgical placement of implants and a healing period before the final prosthesis is attached, though some designs allow for immediate loading in selected cases. Not every patient is a candidate for implants, so bone volume, general health, and treatment goals must be evaluated. Discussing implant options with your dentist can clarify whether this hybrid solution offers the best balance of function and predictability for your situation.

Daily cleaning is essential to keep dentures hygienic and to protect the underlying oral tissues; rinse dentures after meals and brush them daily with a soft denture brush and nonabrasive cleanser. Overnight soaking in a denture solution or plain water helps the appliance retain moisture and prevents warping while giving gums a chance to rest. Avoid abrasive cleaners or household toothpaste that can scratch denture surfaces and trap bacteria in microabrasions.

It is also important to maintain the health of any remaining teeth and gum tissues by continuing regular oral hygiene at home and scheduling professional exams. Bring your denture to dental visits so the clinician can evaluate fit, look for wear or damage, and perform professional cleaning or adjustments. Proper care and routine maintenance extend the service life of the prosthesis and support overall oral health.

The lifespan of a denture varies with materials, wear patterns, and changes in the supporting tissues, but many well‑made dentures provide several years of reliable service. Over time artificial teeth can abrade, and the fit of the denture base can loosen as the jawbone and gums remodel. Regular clinical reviews help detect changes early and prevent problems related to poor fit or excessive wear.

Relining or rebasing the denture can restore intimate contact with the tissues when fit becomes loose, and repairs address fractures or tooth damage. Complete replacement is typically considered when the prosthesis has excessive wear, structural failure, or when esthetic needs or oral changes make a new design more appropriate. Your dentist will recommend the right maintenance schedule and timing for relines or replacement based on functional needs and tissue health.

It is common to experience temporary changes in speech after receiving new dentures, especially when vowel and sibilant sounds are involved or when the appliance alters tongue space. Increased saliva production and a brief learning curve for tongue placement can make articulation feel unfamiliar at first. Practicing speaking by reading aloud, enunciating slowly, and repeating challenging words helps accelerate adaptation.

If speech difficulties persist, adjustments to tooth position, length, or the contour of the denture flange can often improve clarity and comfort. Regular follow‑up visits allow the clinician to refine the prosthesis to better match your oral dynamics. With consistent wear, practice, and targeted adjustments, most patients regain clear, natural speech within a few weeks.

Common issues include sore spots from pressure, looseness as tissues change, difficulty chewing certain foods, and breaks or tooth loosening in the appliance. Many of these problems can be managed through professional adjustments, relines, repairs, or targeted redesigns that redistribute forces and improve retention. Prompt evaluation prevents minor irritations from becoming ongoing problems and helps maintain oral tissue health.

If recurring fit or comfort issues persist despite adjustments, alternative strategies such as overdentures or implant‑supported prostheses may provide greater stability and function. The clinical team at Addison Dental Studio can assess tissue conditions, recommend conservative fixes, or explain when more advanced solutions are appropriate. Early communication and regular maintenance are the best ways to keep your denture comfortable and functional.