When several or all of your teeth are missing, the right replacement can make everyday activities like eating and speaking easier. At Excellence in Dentistry, our dentists provide dentures in Idaho Falls, Idaho, with treatment plans based on the number of missing teeth, the condition of your remaining teeth and how you want your new smile to function.
Dr. Curtis Godfrey has extensive experience with removable prosthetics and complex restorative treatment, including dentures and full-mouth rehabilitation. Dr. Brock Russell also has experience with removable prosthetics as part of his restorative training. Together, our dentists can help determine whether full dentures, partial dentures or an implant-supported option best fits your needs.
Full and Partial Dentures
Dentures are removable restorations designed to replace multiple missing teeth. The type you need depends largely on how many healthy natural teeth remain and where those teeth are located.
Full Dentures
Full dentures replace an entire upper or lower arch of teeth. They may be considered when all teeth in an arch are already missing or when the remaining teeth cannot be predictably maintained.
If teeth still need to be removed before a full denture can be made, our dentists can coordinate tooth extractions as part of the overall treatment plan.
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures replace several missing teeth while using the remaining natural teeth for support and stability. They may be appropriate when healthy teeth are still present but the spaces are too extensive or distributed for another type of restoration.
Before recommending a partial denture, our dentists evaluate the condition of the remaining teeth, gums and bite to make sure the restoration has a suitable foundation.
When Are Dentures a Good Tooth Replacement Option?
Dentures may be considered when tooth loss affects your ability to chew, speak or smile comfortably. They can also provide a practical replacement option when several teeth are missing and a fixed restoration is not the preferred treatment.
Our dentists may discuss dentures if:
- You are missing most or all of your teeth
- Several missing teeth need to be replaced at the same time
- Your remaining teeth cannot support a fixed bridge
- You prefer a removable tooth replacement option
- Implant treatment is not appropriate or is not your preferred approach
- You need to restore chewing function and support for your smile
The recommendation depends on your oral health, remaining teeth, bone, treatment goals and the type of restoration that can be maintained predictably.
What Makes a Denture Fit Well?
A denture needs to do more than fill visible spaces. Its shape, bite and relationship to the surrounding tissues all affect how it feels and functions.
For full dentures, our dentists consider the contours of the gums and supporting structures as well as how the upper and lower teeth should meet. With partial dentures, the health and position of the remaining teeth also influence the design.
Dr. Godfrey has advanced training in occlusion through Spear Education and extensive experience with comprehensive restorative cases. That background is especially valuable when restoring multiple missing teeth and rebuilding how a patient’s bite functions as a whole.
Dentures vs. Dental Bridges
A dental bridge is a fixed restoration that commonly replaces one or a smaller number of missing teeth by using neighboring teeth for support. Dentures are removable and can replace a larger number of missing teeth, including an entire arch.
Which option makes sense depends on how many teeth are missing, where the spaces are located and whether the remaining teeth can support a fixed restoration.
Dentures vs. Dental Implants
Traditional dentures generally rest on the gums and are removed by the patient, while dental implants are placed in the jawbone and can support individual or larger restorations.
For some patients, implants can also be used to improve the support or stability of a larger tooth replacement. Patients with extensive tooth loss may be candidates for All-on-4 dental implants or another implant-supported full-arch approach.
Implants and dentures involve different treatment requirements, timelines and considerations. Our dentists can compare these options with you rather than assuming one solution is right for everyone.
What to Expect When Getting Dentures
The process begins with an examination of your mouth, remaining teeth and supporting tissues. Our dentists will determine whether any teeth need treatment or removal before the denture is made and discuss the type of restoration that fits your situation.
Measurements, impressions or digital records are then used to help plan the shape and fit of the denture. The appearance of the replacement teeth, the way the bite comes together and the support provided by the surrounding tissues are all considered during treatment.
Once your denture is delivered, adjustments may be needed as you adapt to the restoration. Our team will explain how to wear, clean and care for it and when to return if an area feels uncomfortable or the bite does not feel right.
Adjusting to New Dentures
New dentures can feel different at first because your lips, cheeks and tongue need time to adapt to the restoration. Speaking and chewing may require some practice, especially during the early adjustment period.
Starting with manageable foods and chewing carefully on both sides can help while you become accustomed to the denture. If you develop persistent sore spots, looseness or difficulty with the bite, contact our office rather than trying to modify the denture yourself.
How Dentures Change Over Time
Your mouth can change after teeth are lost. The gums and underlying bone may gradually change shape, which can affect how a denture fits even if the restoration itself has not been damaged.
Regular dental visits allow our dentists to evaluate the fit of the denture, examine the tissues underneath it and determine whether an adjustment, reline or replacement should be considered.
Patients who still have natural teeth should also continue regular dental cleanings and preventive care to protect those teeth and the tissues supporting a partial denture.
Experience With Dentures and Complex Restorative Care
Dr. Curtis Godfrey has more than 20 years of clinical experience and provides dentures as part of his comprehensive restorative care. His background includes crowns, bridges, dental implants, removable prosthetics and complex full-mouth restoration, allowing him to evaluate how different tooth replacement options may work together within a larger treatment plan.
Dr. Brock Russell also has experience with removable prosthetics in addition to more than 2,000 fillings and restorative cases, more than 300 crowns and more than 15 bridges. His restorative and surgical experience provides additional perspective when treatment involves both remaining natural teeth and missing-tooth replacement.
Denture FAQs
What is the difference between full and partial dentures?
Full dentures replace an entire arch of teeth, while partial dentures replace several missing teeth and work around the natural teeth that remain. Our dentists can determine which design is appropriate after evaluating your mouth.
Can I get dentures if I still have some natural teeth?
Yes. A partial denture may be an option when healthy natural teeth remain. If some teeth cannot be predictably maintained, our dentists can discuss whether they should be treated or removed before the final denture plan is completed.
How long does it take to get used to dentures?
The adjustment period varies from person to person. Eating and speaking may feel different at first, and minor adjustments may be needed as you become accustomed to the restoration.
Do dentures need to be replaced?
Dentures can wear over time, and changes in the gums and underlying bone can affect their fit. Our dentists can monitor your denture and determine when adjustment, relining or replacement may be appropriate.
Can dental implants help stabilize dentures?
Implants can be incorporated into some treatment plans to provide additional support for a larger restoration. Whether this is appropriate depends on available bone, oral health and the type of restoration being considered.
Should I still see a dentist if I have full dentures?
Yes. Even without natural teeth, routine visits allow our dentists to examine your gums and other oral tissues and evaluate how the denture is fitting and functioning.
Where can I get dentures in Idaho Falls, Idaho?
Excellence in Dentistry provides full and partial dentures for patients who need to replace multiple missing teeth. Call 208-529-4321 to schedule an evaluation and discuss your tooth replacement options with our dentists.
Find the Right Tooth Replacement for Your Smile
If missing teeth are making it harder to eat, speak or smile comfortably, dentures in Idaho Falls, ID, may provide a practical way to restore your smile and function. Call 208-529-4321 to schedule a visit at Excellence in Dentistry and compare full, partial and implant-supported tooth replacement options with our dentists.