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 Chilmark Dental P.C., 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 Chilmark Dental P.C., 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 oral appliances that replace missing teeth and the surrounding gum tissue. They consist of artificial teeth set into a supportive base that rests on the gums and distributes chewing forces across the mouth. Well-made dentures restore basic function and help preserve facial contours that can change after tooth loss.

By fitting precisely to the gum and jaw anatomy, dentures allow patients to speak and chew more effectively than without teeth. They can be removed for cleaning and to give the gums a period of rest overnight. Properly designed dentures work with your mouth’s natural movements to provide stability and comfort during daily activities.

The two primary categories are full (complete) dentures and partial dentures, and the best choice depends on how many natural teeth remain. Full dentures replace all teeth in the upper or lower arch, while partial dentures fill gaps where several teeth are missing and help prevent adjacent teeth from shifting. Materials and frameworks vary, with options that balance strength, esthetics, and comfort.

Within these categories there are variations such as immediate dentures placed right after extractions, overdentures that gain support from remaining teeth, and implant-supported dentures that anchor to dental implants for increased retention. Each option has different clinical indications and benefits related to stability and tissue support. A careful clinical evaluation determines which design will meet functional and aesthetic goals.

The denture process begins with a comprehensive exam that assesses oral health, bone support, and the condition of any remaining teeth. Precise impressions and bite records are taken to recreate the proper relationship between the jaws and to position replacement teeth for natural appearance and function. These records guide laboratory fabrication where technicians layer teeth and gum-colored materials to match the patient’s features.

After initial fabrication there are typically try-in appointments to verify fit, bite, and esthetics; adjustments are made before final delivery. Once seated, the dentist provides instructions for wear, cleaning, and adaptation and schedules follow-up visits to address sore spots or retention issues. If necessary, relines or modifications are performed to maintain comfort as tissues remodel.

The fitting process emphasizes both comfort and oral health, and communication between patient, dentist, and dental laboratory is essential. Properly planned occlusion and tooth positioning help the denture function well and reduce excessive wear on the supporting tissues. When clinical conditions require it, adjunctive procedures such as extractions or minor tissue shaping may be recommended before final prosthesis fabrication.

Good candidates for dentures include people who have lost many or all of their teeth, those whose remaining teeth are not restorable, and individuals seeking a non-fixed solution to replace missing teeth. A thorough assessment of oral health, gum condition, bone volume, and overall medical history determines candidacy and whether additional treatment is advisable before prosthesis placement. The goal is to ensure a stable foundation and minimize the risk of irritation or further oral health problems.

At Chilmark Dental P.C., we evaluate each patient’s functional needs, esthetic expectations, and the health of remaining tissues to recommend partial, full, or implant-supported options. The clinical team also discusses the expected adaptation period and routine care required to help patients achieve predictable outcomes. Personal factors such as manual dexterity and daily routines are considered when selecting design features that support long-term comfort and use.

Adjustment to new dentures varies by individual but typically takes a few weeks to a few months as the mouth adapts to the appliance. Early challenges can include increased saliva production, minor sore spots, and difficulty pronouncing certain sounds; these reactions are normal and usually diminish with time. Regular wear, practicing speech by reading aloud, and following the dentist’s guidance help accelerate the adaptation process.

Small adjustments are often needed after delivery to relieve pressure areas and refine the bite, and follow-up visits are an expected part of the adaptation phase. Patients who have had extractions immediately prior to receiving dentures may experience a longer adjustment as tissues remodel. Communicating changes or persistent discomfort to the dental team ensures timely refinements and better long-term comfort.

Daily cleaning is essential to maintain denture appearance, prevent odor, and reduce the risk of oral infections. Rinse dentures after meals to remove loose debris, then brush them gently with a soft brush and a nonabrasive denture cleaner or mild soap; avoid abrasive toothpaste that can scratch the surface. When not in use, keep dentures moist by soaking them in water or a recommended soaking solution to preserve their shape and prevent warping.

In addition to appliance care, it is important to clean and massage the gums, tongue, and any remaining natural teeth to promote tissue health. Remove dentures at night to allow the tissues to rest and to reduce the chance of irritation or fungal overgrowth. Regular dental checkups include inspection of both the denture and the oral tissues to detect wear, fit issues, or changes that require attention.

Tip: Handle dentures carefully to avoid dropping them during cleaning, and follow any specific instructions provided by your dentist for soaking solutions or overnight care. Consistent home care combined with professional maintenance helps the denture remain comfortable and functional for years. If you notice persistent odor, staining, or sore spots that do not resolve, contact your dental provider for evaluation.

Yes, dentures can be supported or retained by dental implants to significantly improve stability and chewing efficiency. Implant-supported dentures use strategically placed implants to anchor the prosthesis, reducing movement and increasing patient confidence during speaking and eating. This approach can be particularly helpful for lower dentures, which historically have more challenges with retention due to jaw anatomy.

Implant-retained solutions include overdentures that clip or snap onto attachments and fixed hybrid prostheses that are secured to multiple implants for a firm, nonremovable result. A careful evaluation of bone volume and overall health is required to determine implant suitability and the number of implants needed. Your dentist will discuss the benefits, clinical steps, and any preparatory treatments necessary to plan a predictable implant-supported restoration.

Follow-up visits focus on verifying fit, monitoring tissue health, and making any necessary adjustments to relieve pressure points or improve function. Early appointments typically occur within the first few days or weeks to address sore spots and minor occlusal refinements as you adapt to the denture. Ongoing periodic checkups allow your dentist to assess wear, stability, and the condition of supporting tissues.

Over time, the jawbone and gums may remodel, which can affect denture fit and comfort; at these times a reline or other modification might be recommended to restore proper contact with the tissues. Routine visits also include oral exams to screen for soft tissue changes and to evaluate any remaining natural teeth. Our team at Chilmark Dental P.C. coordinates follow-up care and advises on maintenance to help preserve oral health and prosthesis performance.

The lifespan of a denture depends on factors such as material quality, oral hygiene, daily wear, and changes in the mouth’s supporting structures. While denture teeth and bases are durable, they gradually wear and the fit can become less secure as the gums and bone remodel. Regular professional assessments help determine when relines, repairs, or full replacement are advisable to maintain comfort and function.

A reline re-adapts the denture’s tissue side to the current shape of the gums and can extend the useful life of a well-made prosthesis. When teeth show significant wear, esthetics decline, or repeated relines are no longer effective, fabrication of a new denture is often the best long-term solution. Scheduling periodic examinations allows your dentist to recommend the appropriate timing for maintenance or renewal before function is compromised.

Dentures may temporarily change how you eat and speak, but most patients regain comfortable function with practice and support from their dental team. Early on you may be advised to start with soft foods and cut items into small pieces while avoiding tough or sticky foods that challenge denture retention. As you become accustomed to the prosthesis and as adjustments are made, your ability to bite and chew a wider variety of foods typically improves.

Speech may also be affected at first, especially for sounds that rely on precise tongue placement, but regular practice such as reading aloud and gradual increased wear time helps restore normal speech patterns. If persistent issues with speech or chewing remain after the adaptation and adjustment period, your dentist can evaluate occlusion and denture contours to make refinements. With appropriate care and adjustment, most patients achieve satisfactory long-term function and clear speech.