Dentures and Partials

Dentures replace a full arch of missing teeth; partials fill in around the teeth you still have. At Pearl32 Dentistry and Wellness in Laguna Hills, we make both, and we fit them over a few visits so the bite and the color are right before anything is finished. A denture restores chewing and the shape of your face. It will not stop the jaw bone from shrinking. Implant supported options hold a denture down when the lower one moves.

What does a full denture do?

A full denture replaces every tooth in one jaw and rests on the gum and bone underneath. The upper denture covers the palate and holds by suction, which works well for most people. The lower denture sits on a horseshoe of bone with the tongue moving under it, so it holds less. A denture restores chewing for softer foods, supports the lip and cheek, and gives the face its height back. Chewing force is roughly a quarter of what natural teeth manage. Steak and crusty bread stay difficult.

Which partial denture fits your mouth?

A partial fills the gaps and clasps onto the teeth you still have. Acrylic partials are made quickly and are easy to add to, so we often use one right after extractions while the gum settles. Cast metal partials have a thin chrome cobalt frame, sit closer to the gum, feel less bulky and last longer. Flexible partials use a nylon material with no metal clasps, which some patients prefer at the front, though they are harder to reline or repair.

Every partial needs the remaining teeth to be sound, so we treat decay and gum disease first through our general dentistry care.

How is a denture made?

Over four to five visits, two to four weeks apart. The first visit takes impressions of the ridges. The second records how your jaws meet and how high the bite should be. At the third we set the teeth in wax, so you can see the shape, the color and the smile line before anything is finished, and you can ask for changes. The fourth visit delivers the finished denture. A short review follows a few days later to ease the sore spots that almost every new denture creates.

How long does it take to get used to one?

Two to six weeks for most people, and longer for a first lower denture. The first days bring extra saliva, a full feeling and words that sound odd. Reading aloud for ten minutes a day sorts out the speech. Start with soft food cut small, chew on both sides at once, and build up over two weeks.

Sore spots are normal and we adjust them; they are not a sign the denture is wrong. Over the years the ridge shrinks and the denture loosens. A reline refits the inside surface to the new shape, usually every two to three years.

What will a denture not do?

A denture will not stop bone loss. Without tooth roots, the ridge keeps shrinking, faster in the first year and slowly after that. We schedule relines rather than waiting for the denture to rock. A lower denture will not stay still through a whole meal, whatever adhesive you use. Two implants under the lower denture with snap attachments fix that, and you can read about implant supported dentures or compare All-on-4 and dentures. A denture also will not chew like natural teeth. A fixed full arch comes closer.

What does a denture cost in Laguna Hills?

We do not publish denture prices. A single acrylic partial and a full upper set with a lower set are different pieces of work, and an immediate denture placed on the day of extractions adds visits. Your cost is quoted in writing, itemized, after an examination.

We are in network with most major PPO plans and Delta Dental HMO, and many plans include a denture benefit every five years. Third party financing is available and the practice is not the creditor, through CareCredit, Cherry, Sunbit and Happen Bank (formerly LendingClub). See financing.

Questions people ask about dentures and Partials

Can I have teeth on the same day my teeth are removed?

Yes, with an immediate denture. We take the impressions before the extractions and deliver the denture at the same appointment, so you are not without teeth. The trade off is fit: the gum shrinks as it heals, so an immediate denture needs relining at around three to six months, and sometimes a second reline after a year.

Do I need denture adhesive?

A well fitting upper denture usually holds without it. Lower dentures are the common reason people reach for adhesive, because the ridge is narrow and the tongue lifts the denture. Use a thin amount, not a thick layer, and clean it off every night. If you need more adhesive each month, the denture needs a reline rather than more paste.

How do I clean a denture?

Brush it over a folded towel or a sink of water with a denture brush and liquid soap, not toothpaste, because toothpaste scratches acrylic. Soak it overnight in a denture cleaner and water. Leave it out at night so the gum can recover. Rinse it before it goes back in, and brush your gums and tongue with a soft brush every morning.

Can I sleep with my dentures in?

We ask you to leave them out overnight. Tissue that is covered for 24 hours a day gets inflamed and grows yeast, which shows as red, sore patches on the palate. Eight hours without the denture each night lets the gum recover. Keep it in water so the acrylic does not dry out and warp. If you must wear it, clean it well first.

How often should I be seen once I have dentures?

Once a year, even with no teeth left. We check the fit, the bite and the ridges, and we examine the soft tissue for anything that should not be there. Oral cancer screening matters more, not less, after teeth are gone. We also check any remaining teeth that hold a partial, because those carry extra load.

This page is general information, not a diagnosis. What is right for you can only be decided after an examination.