Dentures Quick Facts
Dentures are false, removable teeth that rest on your gums and help you bring your perfect smile back without undergoing an invasive procedure. Depending on how many teeth are missing, your dentist will place custom-made partial or complete dentures in your mouth.
Cost
Can be expensive
Insurance
Often covered by insurance
Time
Requires multiple visits
What Our Patients Are Saying
Graeme Henderson
"During my visit, Dr. Holt took the time to thoroughly explain each procedure and address any concerns I had, ensuring that I felt comfortable and informed every step of the way."
Why Get Dentures?
Tooth loss from injury, decay, aging, or disease can make daily life challenging. Dentures restore your natural appearance and function, bringing back confidence.
Cost-Effective and Non-Invasive
Dentures offer an affordable, gentle path to tooth replacement. With lower upfront costs and up to 50% insurance coverage, they’re easy on the wallet. Plus, because no surgical prep is required, you can skip the worry about pain and long recovery times.
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Restore Oral Functionality
Missing teeth make chewing tough, limiting food choices. Dentures fill those gaps, making it easier to enjoy a full diet, while also supporting clearer, more natural speech.
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Support Facial Structure
Tooth loss can cause a sunken look over time. Dentures prevent this by supporting facial muscles, keeping cheeks and lips fuller, and helping maintain jawline definition.
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Improve Oral Health
Gaps from missing teeth can trap food and bacteria, but dentures help close those spaces. Being removable, they make thorough cleaning simple, supporting a healthier mouth.
The Denture Fitting Procedure
01
Initial Consultation
During your first consultation, Dr. Holt will examine your oral health and recommend any preparatory medication or procedure if necessary. Then according to your bone density, underlying health issues, budget, and personal preferences he’ll help you learn which dentures will best suit you - complete, partial, or implant-supported.
02
Taking Impressions
Within the initial consultation, your first impressions will be taken. These impressions will be used to craft custom trays for your final fitting. If you've recently had extractions or other preparatory procedures, you’ll be given a rest of 1 - 1.5 months to allow healing. For those without extractions, secondary impressions can be scheduled sooner.
03
Ensuring Jaw Alignment
At your second appointment, Dr. Holt will confirm the positioning of your upper and lower jaws. This careful alignment check is essential for a stable bite with your new dentures, avoiding any discomfort or misalignment.
04
Getting Trial Dentures
On your third visit, Dr. Holt will be provided with trial dentures. They allow you to test out the fit, tooth shape, color and overall feel. This hands-on trial provides a realistic sense of what wearing dentures will be like. Dr. Holt will adjust any features based on your feedback, perfecting the design for your final set.
05
The Final Fitting
Two weeks after your trial run, Dr. Holt will have you in for your final denture fitting. He’ll assess the fit along your gums and check for a comfortable bite alignment. You will also be provided clear guidance on caring for your new dentures and keeping your mouth healthy.
Living With Your New Dentures
Getting used to your new dentures is quite manageable! After meals, remove your dentures and rinse them under warm water to clear away food particles, keeping your mouth fresh. Aim to brush your dentures at least once daily with a soft-bristled brush and a non-abrasive cleanser to prevent plaque buildup.
At night, soak your dentures in water or a denture-soaking solution to keep them moist and avoid warping. It's also essential not to wear your dentures continuously for more than 24 hours, allowing your gums a break to maintain their health.
Even with dentures, don’t forget to brush your gums and tongue daily to maintain oral hygiene. Be mindful of any discomfort or fit changes and reach out to Dr. Holt if you have concerns.
Lastly, schedule follow-up appointments every six months to ensure your oral health remains in great shape and that your dentures fit comfortably.
Denture FAQs
What type of dentures are most natural looking?
Implant-supported dentures made of porcelain are the most natural-looking. They’re securely anchored to dental implants, which provide stability and porcelain closely resembles the natural tooth enamel appearance.
Traditional full dentures and partial dentures made from high-quality acrylic or composite materials can also look impressively natural when customized properly. The key is to work with your dentist to find the best fit for your needs.
How much is a full set of dentures private?
The cost of a full set of dentures can vary widely based on factors like your oral health, the type of dentures you choose, and the materials used. In Oregon, the average price for a complete set is around $2,126. However, this doesn’t include additional costs for any necessary preparatory procedures, such as treating gum disease or cavities, which can raise the total to as much as $7,000.
Insurance coverage can also impact your final costs, so it’s a good idea to check with your provider. In most cases, it covers up to 50%, which can significantly bring down your total bill.
What is the difference between veneers and dentures?
Veneers are like cosmetic enhancements for your teeth. These thin shells are custom-made to fit over the front of existing teeth, usually crafted from porcelain or composite resin. They’re designed to mask minor flaws, such as discoloration or chips, and can provide a significant boost to your smile without requiring extensive dental work - ideal for those who want to improve their smile's appearance while keeping their natural teeth intact.
On the other hand, dentures are removable appliances used to replace missing teeth. They can be complete, replacing all teeth in either the upper or lower jaw or partial, filling in the gaps left by a few missing teeth.
Dentures not only restore the look of a full set of teeth but also play a crucial role in enabling proper chewing and speaking. They're suited for individuals who have lost most or all of their natural teeth and need a functional solution.
Are dentures orthodontics?
No dentures are not orthodontics. While dentures are about restoring function and appearance after tooth loss, orthodontics addresses alignment and bite issues by adjusting the position of current teeth.
Dentures are removable devices designed to replace missing teeth and restore your ability to chew, speak, and maintain a natural facial structure. They come in full sets to replace all teeth in an arch or as partial dentures to fill gaps alongside remaining natural teeth.
Orthodontics, however, is a dental specialty focused on correcting misaligned teeth and jaw irregularities. Orthodontic treatments, like braces and aligners, work overtime to gradually move existing teeth into better alignment, improving bite and appearance without replacing any teeth.
Can I get dentures if I have gum disease?
Yes, you can get dentures if you have gum disease.
Gum disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults. If gum disease has progressed to the point where teeth are loose or have already fallen out, dentures can effectively replace these missing teeth, restoring both function and aesthetics.
In fact, they can halt the progression of gum disease by reducing the bacterial load in the mouth as the infected teeth are taken out.
How many visits to the dentist for dentures?
The number of visits needed for dentures varies based on the type of dentures and any existing dental conditions.
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For complete or partial dentures, you can expect around 5 visits. However, if you’re opting for implant-supported dentures - such as snap-in or overdentures - it might require an additional 2 or 3 appointments.
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During your initial consultation, Dr. Holt will thoroughly assess your oral health, including any periodontal issues or decay that may need attention. From there, he’ll provide a personalized timeline, so you know exactly how many visits to expect on your path to acheiving comfortable, natural-looking smile.
How to know if you need dentures?
If you’ve lost two or more teeth due to decay, gum disease, or injury, and now you’re noticing a drop in your confidence to smile, having difficulty chewing or facing digestive issues from improper chewing, it might be time to consider dentures. However, don’t wait for so late, until these signs become evident and impact your daily life.
Remember that delaying tooth replacement can strain the surrounding teeth, and lead to premature wear or misalignment, increasing the risk of additional tooth loss. So consult with your dentist immediately after tooth loss and help prevent further issues that stem from it.