Partial and Complete Dentures replace natural teeth and gums and both types of dentures can be removed for cleaning. It generally takes a few appointments to fabricate new dentures. The first step is a complete exam, followed by impressions, and ultimately a series of try ins in which fit, placement and shade of teeth are discussed.

Partial dentures are made up of one or more artificial teeth held in place by clasps that fit onto nearby natural teeth and are generally fabricated when nearby teeth are not strong enough to hold a bridge and/or when there's a fair number of teeth missing.

Complete dentures replace a full upper or lower arch of missing teeth. They adhere via suction but can be removed for cleaning as noted above.

Both partial and complete dentures can be challenging to get used to initially. As such, intermittent adjustments are usually part of the process and both types of dentures usually require relines when retention becomes an issue after prolonged use.

Caring for your Dentures

Dentures need to be cleaned every day just like natural teeth. Otherwise, plaque and tartar builds up causing stain, bad breath,gum problems, and tooth decay in remaining teeth if applicable.

To clean dentures: fill the sink with water to prevent damage to the denture if dropped, then remove the dentures & rinse them off with water. After that, using a denture or regular brush: brush them off using a denture cleaner or mild soap. Be sure to brush all surfaces of the denture including under the clasps where bacteria collect taking care not to damage the plastic or attachments and then rinse them well with water again before inserting them back in place.

Soak dentures in warm water overnight with or without denture cleanser. If dentures have metal clasps: use warm water for soaking (vs. hot) to avoid damaging the applicable metal. Always store dentures in water to stop them from drying out or warping whenever they are not in use.