Losing several or all of your teeth can make eating, speaking, and smiling more difficult. A properly designed denture can replace missing teeth and restore support for your lips and cheeks.
At Riverton Heights Dental Care, Dr. Cory Fabrizio, DMD provides custom full, partial, and implant-supported denture treatment plans for patients in Riverton, Utah.
Our team will examine your gums, remaining teeth, jawbone, and bite before recommending a denture designed around your oral health and tooth-replacement needs.
Schedule an evaluation to explore your options for replacing multiple missing teeth.
What Are Dentures?
Dentures are removable dental appliances created to replace several missing teeth or an entire arch of teeth. They typically include artificial teeth attached to a gum-colored base designed to rest against the gums and surrounding oral structures.
Full dentures replace all teeth in the upper arch, lower arch, or both. Partial dentures replace several missing teeth while working around the healthy natural teeth that remain.
Dentures are part of restorative dentistry because they restore missing tooth structure and support daily functions such as chewing and speaking. Each denture must be designed for the patient’s mouth, bite, remaining teeth, and appearance goals.
How Dentures Can Restore Your Smile
Dentures may be considered when tooth loss affects your ability to eat, speak, or smile comfortably. The recommended design depends on how many teeth remain and whether implants will support the restoration.
Dentures in Riverton, Utah may help patients who have:
- Lost all teeth in the upper arch
- Lost all teeth in the lower arch
- Several missing teeth in one arch
- Multiple gaps between remaining teeth
- Teeth that cannot be predictably restored
- An older denture that no longer fits properly
- Difficulty chewing because of missing teeth
- Changes in speech related to tooth loss
- Reduced facial support after extensive tooth loss
Dentures do not reproduce every aspect of natural teeth. Their stability, chewing efficiency, comfort, and maintenance requirements depend on their design, the condition of your mouth, and whether implants provide additional support.
Are You a Candidate for Dentures?
You may be a candidate for dentures if you are missing several or all of your teeth or have teeth that cannot be restored predictably. Both your current oral health and future treatment needs must be considered.
Your dentist will evaluate:
- The number and position of your remaining teeth
- The health of your gums
- The shape of the dental arches
- Available jawbone and gum support
- Your current bite
- Teeth that may need treatment or removal
- Your ability to clean and maintain a denture
- Previous experiences with removable appliances
- Your comfort, appearance, and budget priorities
Some patients can receive a partial denture while preserving healthy natural teeth. Others may need complete dentures after the remaining teeth are removed and the gums have healed.
Dental implants may also be considered when additional stability is desired and the patient has appropriate bone, gum health, and medical history.
Your Denture Consultation
Your consultation begins with a discussion of your missing teeth, current denture concerns, eating difficulties, and appearance goals. If you already wear dentures, bring them to the appointment so the dentist can evaluate their fit and condition.
The dentist will examine your mouth and explain which denture designs may be appropriate. Your treatment plan may also address unhealthy remaining teeth, gum disease, bone changes, or other problems that could affect the fit of the final appliance.
Your Evaluation May Include:
- Reviewing your dental and medical history
- Examining your gums and oral tissues
- Evaluating the remaining natural teeth
- Taking dental X-rays when clinically appropriate
- Reviewing the shape of your jaw and dental arches
- Assessing your bite and available space
- Comparing traditional and implant-supported options
Tell your dentist about sore spots, looseness, clicking, difficulty chewing, or changes in speech. These details can help identify problems with an existing denture and guide the design of a replacement.
What to Expect When Getting Dentures In Riverton, Utah
Creating dentures generally requires several stages. The sequence varies depending on the type of denture, the condition of your remaining teeth, and whether extractions or implant treatment are planned.
Preparing Your Mouth
Unhealthy teeth, gum problems, or other oral health concerns may need to be addressed before the final denture is made. If teeth must be removed, your dentist will explain how healing may affect the treatment timeline.
Designing and Testing the Denture
Impressions or digital records are used to capture the shape of your mouth. Bite measurements and other records help determine how the upper and lower teeth should meet.
Delivering and Adjusting the Denture
The completed denture is placed and checked for fit, bite, appearance, and areas of excess pressure. Follow-up adjustments are often necessary as you begin wearing the appliance.
Your mouth may need time to adapt to the new denture. Contact the office rather than trying to reshape or repair the appliance yourself.
Full Dentures Compared With Partial Dentures
Full and partial dentures are both removable tooth replacements, but they are designed for different patterns of tooth loss. The health and location of your remaining teeth will help determine which type may be appropriate.
Full Dentures
- Replace every tooth in an upper or lower arch
- Rest on the gums and underlying oral structures
- May be made for one arch or both arches
- Can sometimes receive added support from implants
- Require ongoing evaluation as the mouth changes
Partial Dentures
- Replace several missing teeth within an arch
- Fit around the healthy natural teeth that remain
- May use clasps or other attachments for support
- Help restore chewing across areas with missing teeth
- Require daily cleaning around the remaining teeth
Preserving healthy natural teeth is generally preferred when possible. Your dentist will evaluate each remaining tooth before recommending a full or partial denture.
Related Tooth-Replacement Options
The right treatment depends on the number of missing teeth, the condition of your mouth, and the amount of stability you want from the restoration. Your dentist can explain the advantages and limitations of each option.
Traditional Full Dentures
Traditional full dentures replace all teeth in an upper or lower arch and rest on the gums. Their fit may change over time as the gum tissue and jawbone change.
Partial Dentures
A partial denture replaces several teeth while preserving appropriate natural teeth. It can be removed for cleaning and may be adjusted or replaced as the mouth changes.
Implant-Supported Dentures
Dental implants may provide added support for certain full or partial dentures. Implant candidacy depends on bone, gum health, medical history, and other clinical factors.
Dental Bridges
A dental bridge is a fixed restoration that can replace one or more adjacent missing teeth. It receives support from neighboring teeth or dental implants.
Tooth Extractions
Tooth extractions may be necessary when remaining teeth are too damaged, decayed, or unstable to support the treatment plan. Your dentist will explain replacement options before removal whenever possible.
Caring for Your Dentures
Dentures collect food particles, plaque, and stains and must be cleaned every day. Your dental team will explain which brush, cleanser, soaking solution, and storage method are appropriate for your appliance.
To care for your dentures:
- Rinse them after eating when practical
- Brush them with a soft denture brush
- Use products specifically intended for dentures
- Clean your gums, tongue, and remaining teeth
- Handle the appliance carefully to avoid dropping it
- Remove and store it as instructed by your dentist
Do not use hot water, household cleaners, or abrasive products unless your dentist specifically recommends them. These can damage or distort denture materials.
When Should Dentures Be Adjusted?
Changes in the gums and jawbone may cause a denture to become loose over time. An adjustment, reline, repair, or replacement may be recommended if the appliance no longer fits properly.
Contact the office if your denture:
- Creates persistent sore spots
- Moves while eating or speaking
- Clicks during normal use
- Becomes cracked or damaged
- Causes difficulty chewing
- No longer fits your bite
Never attempt to bend, file, glue, or repair a denture at home. An improper repair can damage the appliance or injure your mouth.
How Much Do Dentures Cost?
The cost of dentures depends on whether you need a full or partial appliance, the materials selected, the number of arches being restored, and the complexity of the design.
Extractions, gum treatment, temporary dentures, implant placement, relines, and other preparatory or follow-up procedures may affect the total cost. Implant-supported dentures generally involve additional treatment compared with traditional removable dentures.
Dental insurance benefits differ by plan and may include deductibles, waiting periods, frequency limitations, or replacement schedules. Our team can help you review available benefits and discuss the practice’s financial options.
Schedule a Denture Consultation in Riverton, Utah
Replacing missing teeth can improve your ability to eat, speak, and smile more comfortably. Riverton Heights Dental Care offers full, partial, and implant-supported denture treatment plans based on each patient’s oral health and needs.
Contact our Riverton dental office to request an evaluation and learn which tooth-replacement options may be appropriate for you.
Riverton Heights Dental Care
3693 W. 13400 S., Suite B
Riverton, Utah 84065
Phone
(801) 781-5784
Office Hours:
Monday–Thursday: 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Friday–Sunday: Closed
Dentures FAQs
What are dentures?
Dentures are removable dental appliances used to replace several missing teeth or a complete arch. They include artificial teeth attached to a base designed to resemble the surrounding gum tissue.
What is the difference between full and partial dentures?
Full dentures replace all teeth in an upper or lower arch. Partial dentures replace several missing teeth and fit around appropriate natural teeth that remain.
How long does it take to get dentures?
The timeline depends on the type of denture and whether extractions, healing, or other treatment is necessary. Several appointments may be needed to record your mouth, evaluate the bite, test the design, and adjust the completed appliance.
Will dentures affect how I eat and speak?
An adjustment period is common when you begin wearing dentures. Starting with manageable foods and practicing speech can help, but persistent difficulty should be discussed with your dental team.
Should dentures be removed at night?
Many patients are instructed to remove their dentures while sleeping so the gum tissue can rest. Follow the directions provided for your specific appliance, especially after extractions or when first receiving an immediate denture.
Can dentures be supported by dental implants?
Yes, implants can provide additional support for certain removable or fixed denture designs. An examination is necessary to determine whether your gums, jawbone, health history, and treatment goals support implant treatment.
How long do dentures last?
Dentures may remain functional for several years, but the appliance and your mouth can change over time. Relining, adjustment, repair, or replacement may eventually be necessary to maintain an appropriate fit.
How should I clean my dentures?
Clean dentures daily with a soft brush and products recommended for denture materials. Also clean your gums, tongue, and remaining natural teeth, and store the appliance as directed when it is not being worn.