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 Briter Dental, 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 Briter Dental, 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 around them. They consist of artificial teeth set into a gum-colored base that rests on the oral tissues and distributes chewing forces across the jaw. Properly designed dentures restore basic functions such as speaking, chewing and smiling while supporting facial contours.

Modern dentures are crafted from durable materials that aim to look natural and fit comfortably against the gums. A successful outcome depends on accurate impressions, careful bite registration and precise tooth selection to match shape and shade. Regular checkups help ensure the denture continues to function well as oral tissues change over time.

Full dentures replace all of the teeth in the upper jaw, lower jaw or both, while partial dentures fill in gaps when some natural teeth remain. Full dentures rely on tissue coverage and suction, sometimes with the aid of adhesives or implants, whereas partial dentures are designed to clasp or attach to the remaining teeth for retention. The choice between full and partial depends on the number and condition of existing teeth as well as the health of the underlying bone and gums.

Partial dentures also help stabilize adjacent natural teeth and prevent unwanted drifting or tilting into empty spaces. Treatment planning evaluates the strength and position of remaining teeth to decide whether they can support a partial prosthesis or if alternative solutions are preferable. A customized design ensures the prosthesis meets both functional and aesthetic needs.

Immediate dentures are made in advance and placed on the same day teeth are extracted so the patient does not go without teeth during healing. They provide immediate esthetics and function but often require adjustments or relining as tissues remodel. Overdentures sit over retained tooth roots or attachments and can help preserve bone and improve stability compared with conventional tissue-supported dentures.

Implant-supported dentures attach to dental implants that are surgically placed in the jaw and provide increased retention and chewing efficiency. These prostheses range from bar-retained to locator-style attachments depending on the number and position of implants. Your clinician will review medical and oral health factors to determine which option offers the best long-term stability and comfort.

Candidacy for dentures is determined by a clinical evaluation that includes a review of your dental and medical history, an examination of remaining teeth and tissues, and imaging as needed. Patients with extensive tooth loss, nonrestorable teeth, or advanced periodontal disease are commonly considered for full or partial dentures. Good overall health, realistic expectations and a willingness to maintain oral hygiene are important factors for success.

During your consultation the office of Briter Dental will discuss all suitable options, including whether tooth preservation, extractions or implant placement are recommended before prosthesis fabrication. Treatment is individualized to address functional needs, facial support and aesthetic goals. In some cases, staged treatment or combination therapies provide the most predictable outcome.

Fabrication typically begins with detailed impressions and records to capture the shape of the gums, bite relationships and jaw movements. These records guide the laboratory in creating diagnostic models, trial setups and final prostheses that restore function and appearance. Try-in appointments allow adjustments to tooth position, bite and esthetics before the final dentures are processed.

The final delivery includes careful fit checks, occlusal adjustments and patient instruction on insertion, removal and care. Some cases require multiple visits to refine fit and comfort, particularly when healing follows extractions. Clear communication between the patient, clinician and dental laboratory is essential to achieve a predictable, comfortable result.

New dentures often require an adaptation period during which patients may notice increased saliva production, changes in speech and mild soreness in areas of tissue contact. These reactions are normal and typically subside as the mouth adjusts; practicing speaking and eating soft foods can accelerate adaptation. Minor adjustments are common in the early weeks and should be addressed promptly to avoid persistent irritation.

Your clinician will schedule follow-up visits to evaluate fit and function and to make necessary reliefs or occlusal corrections. If sore spots develop, brief recordings of when and how they occur help identify the precise location for adjustment. With proper care and timely adjustments, most patients achieve comfortable function within a few weeks.

Daily care includes rinsing dentures after meals, brushing them with a soft denture brush and nonabrasive cleanser, and soaking them overnight in water or a recommended denture solution. Avoid using regular toothpaste or hard brushes that can scratch the denture surface, and never soak dentures in very hot water. Always handle them over a soft surface or a sink filled with water to reduce the risk of breakage if dropped.

In addition to cleaning the prosthesis, brush remaining natural teeth, gums, tongue and palate to maintain oral health and reduce bacterial buildup. Remove dentures at night to allow the tissues to rest and to help prevent irritation and infection. Regular clinical examinations will ensure the underlying tissues remain healthy and that the prosthesis continues to fit properly.

Dentures can loosen over time because the gums and bone that support them naturally remodel and resorb, changing the shape of the mouth. Weight loss, medical conditions and long-term tissue changes can also affect denture stability. When retention diminishes, patients may experience difficulty chewing, sore spots and diminished confidence when speaking or smiling.

Solutions for loose dentures range from relining the existing prosthesis to improve the fit, to fabricating a new denture if tissue changes are significant. For greater long-term stability, implants can be used to anchor the denture and reduce movement. Your clinician will assess tissue condition and discuss the most appropriate option to restore comfort and function.

Routine follow-up visits are important after delivery and periodically thereafter to monitor fit, oral health and tissue changes. An initial follow-up is commonly scheduled shortly after delivery to check for sore spots and functional issues, with additional visits as adjustments are made. After that, annual or semiannual checkups help detect changes early and maintain the health of any remaining teeth and supporting tissues.

A reline may be recommended when the denture no longer fits snugly because of tissue shrinkage, when chewing becomes less efficient, or when discomfort arises despite adjustments. Relines refill the internal surface of the denture to reestablish proper contact with the gums and can extend the useful life of a prosthesis. At the office of Briter Dental we emphasize ongoing maintenance to preserve comfort and oral health.

The lifespan of a denture varies with material, care, oral changes and how well the prosthesis is maintained, but many dentures provide several years of satisfactory service. Over time wear of the teeth, discoloration, and progressive tissue changes can compromise function and appearance. Regular evaluations allow clinicians to track these changes and recommend replacement when necessary to restore proper form and function.

Signs that replacement may be needed include persistent looseness despite relining, significant wear of the artificial teeth, difficulty chewing or speaking, and recurring sore spots. Timely replacement helps prevent secondary problems and ensures that the prosthesis continues to support facial contours and oral health. Discussing expectations and long-term planning with your dental team helps determine the best timing for renewal.