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 Paparian Dental Associates, 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 Paparian Dental Associates, 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 prosthetic appliances that replace missing teeth and surrounding oral tissues to restore appearance and function. They consist of artificial teeth set into a supportive base that is shaped to fit the gums and underlying bone. Modern materials and precision laboratory techniques make contemporary dentures more comfortable and lifelike than older designs.

When properly fitted, dentures help restore chewing ability, clarify speech, and re-establish facial support that can be lost with tooth loss. They also help prevent adjacent teeth from shifting into empty spaces and can improve nutrition by making a wider variety of foods easier to eat. Regular evaluation and occasional adjustments keep the prosthesis functioning reliably over time.

Candidates for dentures typically include people who have lost several or all teeth in an upper or lower arch or who have teeth that are not salvageable through other restorations. A thorough clinical exam, review of medical history, and diagnostic imaging help determine whether removable prosthetics are the most appropriate option. Factors such as the condition of remaining teeth, bone volume, gum health, and general health are all considered during evaluation.

For some patients, alternatives like bridges or dental implants may also be viable depending on jawbone support and personal goals. In many situations a hybrid approach combining dentures with implants can offer improved stability while preserving ease of care. The best solution balances long-term oral health, functional needs, and the patient's lifestyle preferences.

There are several denture types to address different clinical needs, including full (complete) dentures, removable partial dentures, immediate dentures, overdentures, and implant-supported dentures. Full dentures replace all teeth in an arch and rely on close adaptation to the mouth for retention, while partial dentures fill gaps and often attach to remaining teeth with clasps or precision attachments. Overdentures fit over retained roots or attachments and help preserve bone and tissue contours compared with traditional tissue-supported appliances.

Implant-supported dentures attach to small titanium posts placed in the jaw and offer superior retention and chewing ability; they can be designed to be removable or fixed depending on the chosen system. Immediate dentures are placed at the time of extraction so the patient is never without teeth, but they commonly require relines as tissues heal. Each option has trade-offs in terms of stability, maintenance, and long-term tissue changes, so individualized planning is essential.

Conventional dentures are fabricated after extractions and tissue healing are complete, which generally allows the laboratory to produce a prosthesis that fits the healed contours of the mouth. Because they are made from healed tissues, conventional dentures often require fewer early adjustments and can offer a more predictable long-term fit. The fabrication process typically includes impressions, bite records, wax try-ins, and final processing to match tooth position and shade to the patient.

Immediate dentures, by contrast, are inserted at the time teeth are removed so the patient does not experience a period without teeth. These immediate appliances provide immediate aesthetics and function but frequently need relines, adjustments, or remakes as the underlying tissues remodel during healing. Patients receiving immediate dentures should expect follow-up visits to refine fit and optimize comfort as the mouth changes.

Designing a successful denture begins with a thorough clinical evaluation, including medical and dental history, precise impressions, bite records, and often radiographic imaging to assess bone and tissue. These records guide decisions about tooth selection, occlusion, and whether preparatory procedures such as extractions, smoothing, or minor grafting are needed to support the prosthesis. Clear communication about functional goals and cosmetic expectations helps shape the final plan.

The laboratory phase is a collaborative process between the dentist and skilled dental technicians who select tooth shapes, arrange teeth for balanced function, and process the base using durable materials. Trial appointments allow the patient and clinician to evaluate appearance and bite before finalizing the denture, and careful insertion combined with scheduled follow-ups ensures that pressure points are relieved and function is optimized. The office of Paparian Dental Associates works with experienced technicians and modern materials to produce durable, lifelike restorations.

Daily denture care helps preserve the appliance and protect oral tissues. After meals, rinse dentures to remove food debris, then brush them gently with a soft brush and a nonabrasive denture cleaner to remove plaque and stains. Avoid using regular toothpaste or abrasive household cleaners, and never soak dentures in hot or boiling water which can warp the base.

At night remove dentures to allow the gums to rest and to reduce the risk of irritation or infection, storing them in plain water or a recommended denture soak. It is also important to clean and gently brush the gums, tongue, and any natural teeth to maintain tissue health. Regular dental checkups let your clinician examine the fit, assess oral health, and advise on relines, repairs, or alternative solutions if changes occur.

The useful lifespan of a denture varies by material, how well it is cared for, and changes in the wearer’s mouth, but many prostheses provide service for several years with proper maintenance. Over time the jawbone and soft tissues remodel, which can cause a previously well-fitting denture to loosen, create pressure points, or affect chewing efficiency. Routine follow-up appointments allow the dental team to monitor these changes and recommend relines or repairs when necessary.

Relines restore close contact between the denture base and the supporting tissues and are a common, straightforward way to extend the appliance’s comfortable function. Repairs are available for fractured bases or broken teeth and should be performed promptly to avoid tissue injury or further damage. If repeated adjustments are needed, alternative options such as implant-retained attachments may be discussed to improve stability and long-term performance.

Implant-supported dentures are anchored to dental implants placed in the jaw, which significantly improves retention, stability, and chewing efficiency compared with tissue-supported appliances. Because implants transmit functional forces to the bone, they can help preserve bone volume and facial support that might otherwise diminish after tooth loss. Implant attachments can be designed so the denture is removable for cleaning or fixed for a more permanent solution depending on clinical goals.

This hybrid approach often allows patients to eat a wider variety of foods with greater confidence and reduces sore spots related to slipping. Implant-supported options require careful planning, adequate bone support, and a coordinated surgical-restorative approach, but they offer a predictable way to enhance comfort and function for many patients. Your clinician can explain candidacy, the surgical timeline, and the maintenance needs for implant-supported prosthetics.

Adapting to new dentures is a gradual process that commonly involves temporary symptoms such as increased saliva, mild soreness at pressure points, and changes in speech. These responses are normal as the oral tissues learn to accept the new appliance, and most patients notice steady improvement with regular wear and brief clinical adjustments. Practical measures—such as reading aloud to practice speech, starting with soft foods, and chewing slowly while alternating sides—can accelerate adaptation and build confidence.

Follow-up visits are important during this phase so the dentist can identify and correct sore spots, refine occlusion, and advise on progressive dietary changes. If persistent problems occur, adjustments, relines, or repairs can be made to improve comfort and function. Long-term success depends on close communication with the dental team and adherence to recommended care routines.

Choosing the right denture solution starts with a comprehensive clinical assessment and an open discussion of your functional goals, daily habits, and cosmetic priorities. The number and condition of remaining teeth, the quality of supporting bone and soft tissue, and your overall health will guide recommendations between partials, full dentures, overdentures, or implant-supported designs. Your dentist will review the pros and cons of each approach and explain how they relate to maintenance, expected adjustments, and long-term oral health.

Shared decision-making helps ensure the chosen treatment aligns with your lifestyle and expectations, and good planning often includes trial steps such as provisional appliances or diagnostic wax-ups. If you would like personalized guidance and a customized treatment plan, Paparian Dental Associates can provide a thorough evaluation and discuss the options that best fit your situation.