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 M. Kurt Berky, DDS, PC, 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 M. Kurt Berky, DDS, PC, 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 dental 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 underlying jawbone. Properly designed dentures restore the ability to chew, speak, and maintain facial contours that can change after tooth loss.

Modern denture bases and teeth are made from durable, natural-looking materials that mimic the appearance and function of natural dentition. Dentures rely on careful impressions, precise fit, and sometimes adhesives or attachments to provide retention and stability. Regular dental follow-up ensures the denture continues to function well as oral tissues remodel over time.

The two primary categories of removable dentures are full (complete) dentures and partial dentures. Full dentures replace all the teeth in the upper or lower arch, while partial dentures fill one or more gaps and attach to remaining natural teeth via clasps or precision attachments. Within these categories there are variations such as conventional, immediate, overdentures, and implant-supported options that address different clinical needs.

Immediate dentures are placed at the time of extraction so the patient does not go without teeth during healing, but they often require adjustments as tissues change. Overdentures gain extra support from remaining tooth roots or attachments, and implant-supported dentures anchor to dental implants for increased stability. The choice of design depends on the number of remaining teeth, bone support, aesthetics, and functional goals.

Determining the right denture type begins with a comprehensive dental evaluation that reviews the number and condition of remaining teeth, the quality of the supporting bone, gum health, and overall oral function. A partial denture is often recommended when several healthy teeth remain and can serve as anchors, whereas a full denture is appropriate when an entire arch is missing or requires extraction. Implant-supported options may be considered when patients seek additional retention and have sufficient bone for implant placement.

Your dentist will also consider your functional needs and preferences, such as chewing efficiency and comfort, as well as oral health factors that could affect long-term outcomes. Advanced diagnostic tools like digital imaging help the clinical team plan the most suitable solution. A personalized treatment discussion ensures the selected approach meets both health and lifestyle goals.

The denture process usually starts with a thorough medical and dental history review, clinical examination, and any necessary imaging to evaluate bone and soft tissues. Initial records and impressions are taken to design a prosthesis that restores proper bite and facial support, and the team will discuss whether immediate placement, conventional fabrication, or implant support is recommended. If extractions or pre-prosthetic procedures are required, these are coordinated before final denture fabrication to ensure optimal fit.

Progress is monitored through try-in appointments where tooth position, bite, and aesthetics are refined before the final prosthesis is processed and delivered. After insertion, the dentist makes adjustments to relieve pressure points and to improve comfort and function. Ongoing follow-up appointments are scheduled to assess tissue changes, fit, and oral health to ensure a stable, long-term outcome.

Daily cleaning is essential to maintain denture appearance and oral health; rinse dentures after eating and brush them gently each day with a brush designed for prostheses and a nonabrasive cleanser. Soak removable dentures overnight in water or a recommended denture soaking solution to keep them hydrated and to reduce bacterial buildup. Avoid using hot water that can warp denture materials, and do not use regular toothpaste or household cleaning products on denture surfaces.

It is equally important to care for the oral tissues and any remaining natural teeth by brushing gums, tongue, and teeth each day to remove plaque and stimulate circulation. Remove dentures at night to allow soft tissues to rest and reduce the risk of irritation or infection. Regular dental checkups allow your provider to examine the fit of the denture and the health of the mouth, which helps prevent complications.

Adapting to a new denture commonly involves a short adjustment period during which you may notice increased saliva production, mild soreness, and temporary changes in speech. Speaking and eating will improve with practice; reading aloud and starting with soft, easily chewed foods can accelerate recovery of normal function. Minor adjustments are often necessary in the weeks following insertion to address pressure points and improve comfort.

Most patients find that comfort and confidence increase steadily as the muscles of the mouth adapt to the prosthesis. If persistent sore spots, difficulty eating, or instability occur, contacting the dental office for a modification or reline is important. Regular follow-up visits help ensure that the denture continues to fit properly as oral tissues change over time.

Conventional dentures rest on the gums and rely on tissue contours, suction, and sometimes adhesives for retention, while implant-supported dentures attach to dental implants placed in the jaw. Overdentures gain added stability from retained tooth roots or implants and can be removed for cleaning, providing improved function compared with traditional full dentures. Implant-supported prostheses typically offer greater chewing efficiency and reduced movement, which enhances comfort and confidence.

Implant-supported options require surgical placement of implants and a period of healing before attachments are engaged, so careful planning and sufficient bone are essential. These solutions can be hybrid or removable, depending on patient needs, and they may reduce the need for adhesives and frequent adjustments. Your dentist will evaluate oral health and bone structure to determine candidacy for implant-support and to recommend the most appropriate attachment system.

Adjustments are commonly needed in the weeks after delivery as tissues heal and the denture is fine-tuned for comfort and function. Over time, natural changes in the gums and underlying bone can alter the fit of a denture, making relines or reprosthesis necessary to restore proper contact and stability. The frequency of relines varies widely based on individual factors such as bone resorption rates, oral hygiene, and the type of denture worn.

Routine dental examinations allow your provider to monitor fit and tissue health and to recommend relines or repairs before problems develop. Signs that an adjustment may be needed include persistent sore spots, slipping, difficulty chewing, or changes in speech. Keeping scheduled follow-ups helps maintain long-term comfort and reduces the risk of irritation or oral pathology.

New dentures can temporarily change speech and eating patterns because the mouth must learn to coordinate around the new prosthesis. Speaking slowly, practicing difficult sounds aloud, and reading passages can hasten adjustment, while starting with soft, well-cooked foods and cutting items into small pieces makes eating easier. Chewing on both sides and taking small bites helps stabilize the denture and improves comfort during meals.

With consistent use and practice, most patients regain clear speech and effective chewing within a few weeks. If persistent difficulty with specific sounds or food types continues, a follow-up visit can identify required adjustments to tooth position or occlusion. Patient education and stepwise adaptation strategies support a smooth transition back to normal daily activities.

Partial dentures are designed to work with remaining natural teeth and often use clasps or precision attachments to achieve retention while stabilizing the dentition and preserving proper bite relationships. It is important to maintain meticulous oral hygiene for any remaining teeth to prevent decay and periodontal disease that could compromise denture fit and overall oral health. Regular professional exams allow the dentist to monitor the condition of natural teeth, check attachment components, and address issues early.

Even with complete dentures, keeping soft tissues healthy and monitoring the oral cavity for signs of irritation or pathology is essential. Routine visits enable proactive care such as tissue conditioning, relines, or referral for implant options when appropriate, and they help ensure successful long-term outcomes. The team at M. Kurt Berky, DDS, PC emphasizes comprehensive evaluations to integrate denture care with a plan for preserving overall oral health.