Implants and dentures
Dentures and Partial Dentures in Huntersville, NC
Replace some or all of your teeth with a removable denture, with a clear plan and cost drivers explained first.
Dentures are removable false teeth. A full (complete) denture replaces all the teeth in the upper or lower jaw, and a partial denture replaces one or a few missing teeth. At Kreeb Family Dentistry in Huntersville, NC, our dentists start with an exam so you can compare full, partial and other options, and understand what drives the cost, before you decide.
At a glance
- Who they suitAdults missing several or all of their teeth
- Typical visitsSeveral: exam, measurements and models, fittings, then follow-up adjustments
- Getting used to themNew dentures can feel awkward for a few weeks
- ComfortLocal anesthetic for any extractions; ask about comfort options
- How long they lastChecked every year; often should be remade when loose, after 5 to 10 years of use
- What drives costFull or partial, materials, extractions, immediate or conventional, implants, adjustments
- InsuranceCoverage varies by plan; call us for insurance details
Are dentures right for you?
Dentures may suit you if you are missing several or all of your teeth and want to chew and speak more easily. Dentures make it easier to eat and speak than you could without teeth. They can also help with speech problems caused by missing teeth.
At your exam, we look at the teeth you still have, your gums and the shape of your jaw. That tells us which type fits your mouth:
Full denture
you are missing all the teeth in one jaw, or the remaining teeth cannot be saved.
Partial denture
you still have some healthy teeth. The partial fills the gaps and attaches to the teeth you keep.
Another option
a fixed bridge or dental implants may suit a smaller gap better.
What types of dentures are there?
There are several kinds, and the right one depends on how many teeth you have left and whether any need to come out.
Conventional full denture
Made and placed after the remaining teeth are removed and the gums have healed, which may take several months.
Immediate denture
Placed the same day the remaining teeth are removed, so you are not without teeth while you heal. It may need to be relined or remade once the jaw has healed.
Removable partial denture
For people missing several teeth but not all of them. It is held by a frame or clasps that hold onto your natural teeth.
Overdenture
Fits over a small number of remaining natural teeth after your dentist prepares them.
What about implant-supported dentures?
Implants can be used to stabilize and hold a denture in place, and they may also add stability to a partial denture. If a loose denture bothers you, ask at your exam whether an implant-supported denture is an option for you. Our dental implants page explains how implants work.
How do full, partial and implant-supported dentures compare?
Each option replaces missing teeth in a different way. This table gives the general picture; your exam decides what fits your mouth.
| Option | Full denture | Partial denture | Implant-supported denture |
|---|---|---|---|
| Replaces | All teeth in one jaw | One or a few missing teeth | Several or all teeth, on implants |
| Held in place by | The fit against the gums, with adhesive if needed | A frame or clasps on your natural teeth | Implants in the jawbone |
| Removable | Yes | Yes | Depends on the design |
| Surgery needed | Only if teeth must be removed | No, unless teeth must be removed | Yes, to place the implants |
| Ongoing care | Daily cleaning, yearly checks, relines as the fit changes | Daily cleaning, care of the teeth that hold it | Daily cleaning, care around the implants, regular checks |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
What happens when you get dentures?
Getting dentures takes several visits. The general steps are:
Exam and plan
We check your teeth, gums and jaw, take X-rays and talk through full, partial and other options.
Extractions, if needed
Teeth that cannot be saved are removed first (see tooth extractions).
Measurements and models
Your dentist takes measurements and makes models of your jaw so the denture can be made to fit.
Fitting
The denture is placed and checked for fit, bite and appearance.
Follow-up adjustments
Follow-up visits are generally needed after a denture is placed so the fit can be checked and adjusted.
Do dentures hurt?
Getting dentures should not be painful. If teeth need to come out first, the area is numbed with local anesthetic. Ask about comfort options if you feel nervous.
When the denture is new, minor irritation or soreness is not unusual. The denture may feel loose while your cheek and tongue muscles learn to hold it, and saliva flow may increase for a while. These problems should go away as your mouth gets used to the denture. If soreness lasts, call us so we can adjust the fit.
How do you care for dentures?
Clean your dentures every day. Brush them daily to remove food and plaque, rinse them before brushing, and use a soft toothbrush with a non-abrasive cleanser.
At night
take your dentures out and store them in water or a denture-cleansing liquid. Keeping them covered in water stops them from warping.
Adhesives
if your denture slips, an adhesive may help. Look for cleansers and adhesives with the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
Hot food
dentures can make it harder to notice hot foods and drinks, so take care.
Checkups
keep your regular visits. Your dentist checks that the denture still fits and looks at your gums.
How long do dentures last?
Typically, dentures should be checked every year, and often they should be remade when they lose their fit and are loose in your mouth after 5 to 10 years of use. The shape of your mouth changes over time, so a denture that once fit well can become loose. If the denture is still in good condition, having it adjusted or relined can improve the fit. Leave adjustments to your dentist rather than trying to fix the denture at home.
What are the alternatives to dentures?
You have other ways to replace missing teeth, and the exam shows which ones fit you:
A fixed bridge
replaces one or a few teeth and is held by crowns on the teeth either side. See porcelain fixed bridges.
Dental implants
replace both the root and the tooth. See dental implants.
Doing nothing
You can leave a gap, but missing teeth can change how you chew and speak. Ask your dentist what this means for your mouth.
How much do dentures cost in Huntersville?
The cost of dentures depends on your treatment plan, and your dentist explains it after the exam. We do not list prices because two people can need very different care. The main cost drivers are:
Full or partial
and whether you need an upper, a lower or both.
Materials
for example a partial with a metal frame or one with an all-plastic base.
Extractions
or other care needed before the denture.
Immediate or conventional
An immediate denture may need a reline or a remake after healing, which adds to the total.
Implants
if an implant-supported denture is an option for you.
Adjustments and relines
over the life of the denture.
Insurance coverage for dentures varies from plan to plan. Call us for insurance details, and ask about payment options on our insurance and payment page or by phone.
Why patients choose Kreeb Family Dentistry for dentures
Three family dentists, one office
Our dentists look at your whole mouth, not only the gap.
Options compared in one place
Dentures, bridges, crowns and implant care are all part of our care, so you can weigh them side by side.
Tooth extractions are part of our care
your exam shows what your mouth needs first.
Early hours
We open at 7:00 AM, Monday to Friday.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Still wondering about something? Call us and our team will help.
How long does it take to get used to new dentures?
New dentures may feel awkward for a few weeks. They can feel loose while your cheek and tongue muscles learn to hold them, and minor soreness is not unusual. Follow-up visits let us adjust the fit. Call us if soreness does not ease.
Can I get dentures the same day my teeth are removed?
Yes, that is called an immediate denture. It is placed the same day the remaining teeth come out, so you are not without teeth while you heal. It may need a reline or remake once the jaw has healed.
Are there affordable denture options?
Cost depends on the type of denture, the materials, any extractions and whether implants are involved. A partial denture for a few teeth is a different plan from a full upper and lower set. After your exam we explain the options and what drives the cost of each. Call us for insurance details.
Should I sleep in my dentures?
Take your dentures out at night and store them in water or a denture-cleansing liquid. Keeping them covered in water stops them from warping.
Why does my denture feel loose?
The shape of your mouth changes over time, so a denture can lose its fit. Having it adjusted or relined can help if it is still in good condition. Dentures should typically be checked every year.
Can implants hold my denture in place?
Implants can be used to stabilize and hold a denture. Whether this works for you depends on your jawbone, your health and your current denture. Ask at your exam whether an implant-supported denture is an option.
Book your denture consultation in Huntersville
If you are missing teeth or your denture no longer fits, start with an exam. Your dentist will explain your options and what drives the cost.