About Dentures & Partials
Missing several teeth changes more than your smile. Chewing becomes work, speech can slip, and the cheeks and lips lose the support that keeps the face looking its age. Dentures and partial dentures are time-tested, affordable ways to restore all of that, and modern materials and techniques have made them far more comfortable and natural-looking than the dentures many people remember from their grandparents.
A complete denture replaces all the teeth in the upper or lower arch. It rests on the gums and, for the upper, is held in place by suction against the palate. A partial denture replaces some teeth and clasps onto the remaining natural teeth for stability; it is removable, unlike a bridge, and can replace teeth on both sides of the arch with a single appliance. Both are custom-made from impressions or scans of your mouth and shaped by a dental laboratory, with tooth shade, size and arrangement chosen with you so the result suits your face.
Fit is everything with a denture, and fit changes over time as the gums and bone beneath it slowly remodel. That is why we schedule follow-up adjustments after delivery, and why relines every few years keep a denture snug. We repair cracked dentures and replace broken teeth, often the same or next day.
For patients whose lower denture will not stay put, dental implants can change the experience completely. Two to four implants placed by a local specialist provide anchors that snap the denture securely in place; it still comes out for cleaning, but it no longer moves when you eat or speak. Dr. Lance Carter is a general dentist and designs and fits both conventional and implant-retained dentures in this office. Prosthodontics is a recognized specialty; unusually complex cases may be referred to a prosthodontist.
Benefits
- Custom shade, size and arrangement for a natural look
- Restores chewing, speech and facial support
- Partials preserve your remaining natural teeth
- Relines, repairs and adjustments handled in our office
- Implant-retained options for a denture that stays put
Is it right for you?
Adults missing most or all of the teeth in an arch, or missing several teeth in different areas that a bridge cannot span. Patients who prefer a non-surgical, cost-effective solution, or who are not candidates for implants. Existing denture wearers whose appliance is loose, worn, cracked or more than seven to ten years old. Patients frustrated by a loose lower denture are strong candidates for implant retention.
What happens, step by step
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Exam, X-rays and a conversation about goals, budget and implant options
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Any needed extractions or gum treatment, sometimes with an immediate denture so you are never without teeth
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Impressions or scans and bite records
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Try-in of the wax setup to confirm appearance and bite
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Delivery of the finished denture and adjustment visits
What to expect at your visit
A new denture typically takes four to five visits over several weeks: records, a try-in to check appearance and bite, delivery, and one or two adjustment appointments. If teeth must be removed first, an immediate denture can be placed the day of extraction so you leave with teeth, then relined once the gums heal. Expect a short adjustment period with any new denture; speech and chewing improve over a couple of weeks, and sore spots are relieved with quick adjustments.
Why choose Regency Dental Group
Making a denture that fits and looks right takes patience and several careful steps, and we do not rush them. Dr. Carter takes the time at the try-in to get the tooth shade, length and lip support right before the denture is finished. We handle relines and repairs in the office so you are not sent elsewhere for maintenance, and we discuss implant retention frankly for patients who would benefit. Regency Dental Group is in network with Delta Dental of California, Cigna, MetLife and Dental Benefit Providers, and offers CareCredit for patients spreading out the cost.
Aftercare
Remove and clean your denture daily with a denture brush and cleanser, and give your gums a rest by leaving it out overnight in water or a soaking solution. Brush remaining natural teeth and your gums and tongue. Keep regular checkups so we can examine your gums and check the fit; even full-denture wearers need an oral cancer screening every year.
Cost, insurance and timing
Dentures and partials are usually covered as a major service, often at 50 percent after the deductible, with most plans allowing replacement every five to seven years. Immediate dentures, relines and implant attachments are billed separately; we provide a full written estimate. Implant placement is billed by the surgical office.
Frequently asked questions
How long do dentures last?
Five to ten years is typical. Gums and bone change over time, so relines every few years keep the fit snug, and eventually a new denture is needed.
Will dentures look fake?
Not when they are made carefully. We select shade, tooth shape and arrangement with you at the try-in so the result suits your face and age.
Can I get teeth the same day my teeth are pulled?
Often, yes. An immediate denture is made in advance and placed the day of extraction, then relined after healing.
What can I do about a loose lower denture?
A reline may help. For a lasting solution, two or more implants can anchor the denture so it no longer moves.
Dr. Lance Carter is a general dentist licensed by the Dental Board of California. Services on this page that are associated with a recognized dental specialty are provided by a general dentist who is not a licensed specialist in that field. When a case is better served by a specialist, we say so and coordinate the referral.
The information on this page is general education, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Outcomes vary by patient. Please schedule an exam to discuss your specific situation.