Dentures

Full dentures replace every tooth in an upper or lower arch, or both. They sit on your gums, and the upper one is held in mostly by suction against the roof of your mouth. They let you chew and speak again and help support your lips and cheeks so your face doesn’t look sunken.

When dentures make sense

We only suggest a full denture when most or all of the teeth in an arch are gone or can’t be saved. If a few strong teeth remain, a partial is often the better plan, since keeping natural teeth helps hold the jawbone in place.

Imagine someone who has dealt for years with loose, painful upper teeth and gum disease that has gone too far to treat. Every meal hurts. Removing the last few teeth and moving to an upper denture is a hard decision, but it can mean eating without pain again.

The first weeks, and the years after

We take impressions and bite records, then you try in a wax version so you can see the shape and color of the teeth before the final set is made. When they’re ready, we adjust any pressure spots.

Plan on a few weeks of practice. Start with soft foods cut small, and read aloud at home to get used to speaking. Lower dentures usually take longer to feel steady than upper ones.

Your gums and bone keep changing after teeth are lost. That’s why dentures need a reline now and then to keep them snug. If yours still feel loose, we can talk about whether a few implants to anchor the denture are worth considering.