Dentures are removable prosthetic devices designed to replace missing teeth and surrounding soft tissues. Custom-made to fit an individual’s mouth, they restore function for speaking and eating, support facial structure, and improve appearance. For many people, understanding the treatment journey simplifies the process. Knowing which dental professional to consult is the first step toward getting a comfortable, well-fitting appliance.
Finding the Right Dental Professional
The professional you see for dentures depends largely on the complexity of your case, though both general dentists and specialists can provide care. General dentists are often the first point of contact, providing a wide range of services focused on overall oral health maintenance. They are qualified to provide basic denture services, especially for routine cases of full or partial tooth replacement.
For more complex needs, a prosthodontist is the specialist focused on the restoration and replacement of teeth and other oral structures. This specialist completes three years of additional training after dental school, gaining advanced expertise in procedures like complex full-mouth reconstruction or implant-supported dentures. If you have unusual jaw anatomy, a history of poor-fitting dentures, or are seeking implant-supported options, a prosthodontist is uniquely trained to manage these challenging cases. When choosing a provider, consider their specific experience with the type of denture you need.
Understanding Denture Options
There are three primary categories of dentures, each suited for different levels of tooth loss. Complete dentures, also known as full dentures, are used when all teeth in a single arch are missing. This appliance consists of a gum-colored acrylic base supporting a full set of artificial teeth, relying on suction or adhesive for retention. A variation, the immediate denture, is placed immediately after tooth extractions and serves as a temporary appliance while the mouth heals.
Partial dentures are appropriate when one or more natural teeth remain in the arch. These devices typically use clasps to attach to existing healthy teeth for stability, filling the gaps left by missing teeth. Partial dentures prevent the remaining natural teeth from shifting position and help distribute chewing forces more evenly. Both complete and partial dentures are removable for daily cleaning and soaking.
The third option, implant-supported dentures, offers greater stability by anchoring the appliance to titanium posts surgically placed into the jawbone. These are often called overdentures or “snap-in” dentures because they click securely onto the implants. This design provides superior function for eating and speaking compared to traditional dentures, as they do not rely on the gums for support. A highly secure type, the implant-supported fixed denture, is permanently screwed into the implants and can only be removed by a dental professional.
The Process of Getting New Dentures
Obtaining new dentures generally requires a series of appointments over several weeks or even months, depending on the need for extractions and the type of denture selected. The process begins with an initial consultation and examination, including X-rays, to evaluate the health of the jawbone and surrounding tissues. Next, the dental team takes precise impressions, or molds, of the upper and lower arches, which can be done using traditional impression materials or newer digital scanning technology. These molds are used by a dental laboratory to create a working model of your mouth.
A subsequent appointment involves the wax bite registration, where a wax rim establishes the correct relationship between the upper and lower jaws. The laboratory sets the prosthetic teeth into a wax base for the wax try-in appointment. During the try-in, the dentist evaluates the appearance, color, size, and position of the teeth. This is the final opportunity to make aesthetic changes before the permanent acrylic base is fabricated. Once approved, the appliance is finalized, leading to the delivery appointment where the finished denture is placed and minor adjustments are made.
Long-Term Care and Adjustments
Once delivered, proper daily maintenance is necessary to keep the denture and the mouth healthy. Dentures should be cleaned daily using a non-abrasive cleanser and a soft brush, followed by soaking to reduce the buildup of bacteria and fungi. It is important to also clean the gums and tongue while the appliance is removed. When not in use, dentures must be stored in water or a denture solution to prevent the material from drying out and warping.
Regular follow-up appointments are necessary because the jawbone naturally changes over time, a process known as residual ridge resorption, which can cause the denture to become loose. In the first year after tooth loss, the jawbone can lose a significant portion of its volume. When the fit loosens, a procedure called relining may be required. Relining involves resurfacing the tissue-side of the denture base to match the altered contours of the gums, ensuring the continued comfort and stability of the appliance.