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 Pharos Implants and Oral Surgery, 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 Pharos Implants and Oral Surgery, 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 prosthetic devices that replace missing teeth and the supporting gum tissue. They consist of artificial teeth set into a base that fits over the gums and is shaped to distribute chewing forces evenly. Properly designed dentures restore basic functions such as biting, chewing, and speaking while improving the appearance of the smile.

Because they are removable, dentures allow for daily cleaning of both the appliance and the oral tissues, which helps maintain hygiene and detect tissue changes early. Different denture designs address different needs, and treatment planning focuses on fit, comfort, and facial harmony. At Pharos Implants and Oral Surgery we tailor each denture to the patient’s oral anatomy and functional goals.

Choosing dentures depends on the number and condition of remaining teeth, the quality of the jawbone, gum health, and your functional and aesthetic goals. A clinical evaluation and diagnostic imaging help determine whether a partial denture, a full denture, or an implant-assisted solution best meets your needs. Your personal preferences, daily activities, and long-term oral health plan are also important factors.

During a consultation we review treatment options and explain the benefits and limitations of each approach so you can make an informed decision. If fixed alternatives such as implants are appropriate, we discuss those pathways as well and how they compare in terms of stability and maintenance. The final recommendation is based on clinical findings and what will deliver predictable, comfortable function for you.

Common denture types include partial dentures, which replace several missing teeth while preserving healthy teeth, and complete dentures, which replace all teeth in an upper or lower arch. Immediate dentures can be placed at the same appointment as extractions so you are not without teeth during healing, though they typically require adjustments as tissues remodel. Overdentures use retained roots or attachments to improve stability and preserve bone.

Implant-supported dentures are another option that attach to dental implants for enhanced retention and less movement during function. Materials and frameworks vary from traditional acrylic to metal or flexible resins, and choice of material depends on strength, esthetics, and patient preference. A careful evaluation determines the most appropriate design for predictable fit and function.

Implant-supported dentures are retained by dental implants that are surgically placed in the jaw, providing mechanical attachment points that greatly improve stability and chewing efficiency. Traditional removable dentures rely on suction, tissue contours, and adhesive for retention, which can allow more movement during function. The added support of implants reduces excessive pressure on the gums and can make eating and speaking more confident for many patients.

The process for implant-supported options includes surgical placement and a period of healing before final attachments are fitted, so treatment planning accounts for both surgical and prosthetic phases. Implant options can also help preserve jawbone by transmitting functional forces to the bone, which slows resorption compared with conventional denture support alone. Your clinician will review surgical considerations, healing expectations, and maintenance needs when recommending an implant-assisted approach.

Treatment begins with a comprehensive exam, medical and dental history review, and imaging to evaluate bone and soft-tissue conditions. The fabrication process typically includes impressions, bite records, tooth selection, and try-in stages so fit and appearance can be refined before the final prosthesis is finished. If extractions or minor tissue reshaping are needed, those steps are scheduled and the timing of final denture delivery is coordinated with healing.

Immediate dentures may be delivered at the time of extraction so patients leave the appointment with teeth, but follow-up relines or adjustments are commonly required while tissues remodel. For implant-assisted solutions, surgical placement and a healing interval precede the attachment of the denture. Throughout the process, frequent communication and follow-up visits ensure predictable results and timely management of any concerns.

Adaptation varies by individual but most patients experience initial changes for several days to a few weeks, including mild soreness, increased saliva production, and minor speech changes. Muscles and oral tissues need time to adjust to the new contours and bite, and some activities like pronunciation and chewing may improve gradually with practice. Simple exercises such as reading aloud and starting with soft foods can accelerate adaptation.

Follow-up appointments are important during this period because small pressure points or fit issues can usually be corrected quickly. If discomfort persists beyond a reasonable adaptation period, your clinician will assess the fit, occlusion, and tissue health to determine whether adjustments, relines, or other interventions are needed. Regular review helps ensure the denture becomes comfortable and functional for daily life.

Daily care includes rinsing and brushing the denture after meals to remove food and plaque, using a denture-specific brush and a nonabrasive cleaner to protect the prosthesis surface. Remove your denture at night to give the gums a rest and soak the appliance in water or a recommended cleanser while it is not being worn. Avoid hot water and abrasive household cleaners that can warp or damage the denture base and teeth.

It is also important to continue cleaning any remaining natural teeth and to gently brush the gums, tongue, and palate to maintain tissue health. Handle the denture carefully to avoid dropping it, and bring the prosthesis to follow-up visits so the clinician can examine its condition and perform professional maintenance as needed. Proper daily hygiene extends the life of the denture and supports overall oral wellness.

Routine follow-up visits allow the clinician to monitor fit, oral tissues, and the condition of the denture, and to address any concerns before they affect comfort or function. Over time, natural changes in jawbone and gum contours can alter fit and may require relining, rebasing, or adjustment to restore close contact with the tissues. Regular exams also check for the health of any remaining teeth and screen for oral disease.

Even well-made dentures will need periodic maintenance to remain comfortable and functional, so plan on scheduled reviews as recommended by your surgeon. If you have an implant-supported prosthesis, maintenance includes inspection of the attachment components and periodic professional care to ensure long-term stability. Timely maintenance helps prevent complications and prolongs the usefulness of the prosthesis.

Yes, dentures can significantly influence both facial appearance and chewing function by restoring tooth height, lip support, and jaw relationships. Well-designed dentures replenish lost tooth structure and can help reestablish proper vertical dimension, which supports facial contours and a natural smile line. Improved chewing efficiency and clearer speech are common functional benefits when the prosthesis fits correctly and the bite is balanced.

Because jawbone volume can change after tooth loss, maintaining facial support sometimes requires treatments that preserve bone or use implant support to reduce pressure on soft tissues. During treatment planning, clinicians consider facial proportions and bite relationships to design a prosthesis that looks natural and performs well. Ongoing adjustments and maintenance are often needed to keep both appearance and function at their best.

Our approach emphasizes careful assessment, individualized planning, and clear communication so each denture is designed for fit, function, and facial harmony. We use diagnostic imaging and thorough soft-tissue evaluation to guide decisions about partial, complete, or implant-assisted dentures, and we involve patients in choices about tooth shape, shade, and prosthesis design. Treatment plans balance long-term oral health with the functional and aesthetic goals you describe.

Follow-up and ongoing maintenance are integral parts of care; we schedule reviews to monitor tissue health, perform needed relines or adjustments, and advise on hygiene practices that preserve both the denture and oral tissues. If you have questions or would like to explore denture options in Cornelius, NC, our team is available to explain the process and help you choose a solution that fits your lifestyle.