Dentures

Tooth loss can happen to everyone. While decay is the main cause, accidents can also rob people of a full smile. For anyone with significant tooth loss, dentures offer a way back to baseline. Restore your smile, rebuild confidence, and reclaim daily tasks of living like eating and speaking with ease.

What Are Dentures?

Dentures are sets of artificial teeth placed over the gums to fill gaps in a patient’s smile. Modern dentures are made from durable materials and customized to look completely natural. At Highland Smiles Dentistry, we offer several dentures options to help patients get back to smiling to their fullest.
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Types of Dentures

Full Dentures

When you think of dentures, you likely will first picture full dentures. These are full sets of teeth that replace an entire row of missing teeth. These are more common for patients who have experienced recurring tooth loss and need a way forward.

Partial Dentures

Partial dentures will replace teeth to fill in gaps in a smile. These work best for patients who still have some healthy teeth, but have sections of their smile missing. Partial dentures are best for replacing three or more teeth in a row.

Implant-Supported Dentures

Implant-supported dentures are an increasingly popular tooth replacement option. They work and look like traditional partial or full dentures, but they have one key difference. Rather than resting directly on the gums, you can affix them to dental implants. Dental implants are titanium posts placed directly into the gum to fuse with the jaw. These posts provide impressive stability and support while still allowing you to remove your dentures for easy cleaning.
Benefits of Implant-Supported Dentures
  • More stability
  • Improved comfort
  • Better jawbone health
  • Easier to chew with
  • Simple to clean and maintain
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What Is the Process for Getting Dentures?

Step 1: The Consultation

First, Dr. Mansour meets with each patient to ensure dentures are right for them. He looks at your oral health and your goals to build a suitable plan. You can learn about each option and what advantages each solution offers.

Step 1.5: Getting Your Implants

If you choose implant-supported dentures, the next step will be getting your dental implants. Dr. Mansour installs them through a quick procedure in a single visit. After this, you will wait for your gums to heal and the titanium post to fuse to the jaw.
A person holds a set of dentures, showcasing the realistic teeth and gums against a neutral background.

Step 2: Taking Impressions

Dentures look best when they are customized for your jaw. This also makes them work best. By taking impressions, we can craft a set of dentures that look as close to your original teeth as possible.

Step 3: Receiving Your Dentures

When we get your dentures from the lab, you can come try them on. It is normal for them to feel a little odd at first. Over the next few days and weeks, you will gradually get used to them. Dr. Mansour checks to make sure they fit properly before you leave. If you do need adjustments, you can come back in. We also provide full tips on how to adjust to using your dentures and how to keep them clean.
miling young woman with dimples wearing a straw sun hat and off-the-shoulder blue and white striped top in a field of dry grass.
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Reclaiming a full smile can be a transformative experience for most patients. You can again feel comfortable, confident, and in control.

Do I Need Dentures?

If you are missing multiple teeth, then you may need dentures. Significant tooth loss can hamper the quality of your life, turning even routine activities into a challenge. However, they are best for patients with several missing teeth in a row.
Alternative options can include:
  • Dental Implants: Implants can support individual crowns as well. Patients with only one or a couple of missing teeth tend to see the greatest benefit from implants.
  • Dental Bridges: Bridges are a budget-friendly option for replacing gaps in your smile. Patients missing one or two teeth in a row may be suitable for bridges.

How Long Do Dentures Last?

A good set of dentures should last for about 5 to 10 years. Patients who take good care of their dentures find they last about 10 years on average, with some lasting beyond this.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How much do dentures cost?

The price of your dentures will depend on their type, the materials they are made of, and the number of teeth replaced. Traditional dentures typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 per arch, while partial traditional dentures cost up to $3,500. Implant-retained (snap-in) and fixed implant-supported dentures can be significantly more expensive as complex surgical procedures are required to place the implants. Such options can cost between $7,000 and $30,000, depending on the number of teeth replaced and the number of implants used to support the dentures.

Dentures can be an excellent solution for people who are missing multiple teeth in a row or entire arches of teeth. Apart from that, ideal candidates are typically required to have sufficient gum and jawbone health for dentures to be properly supported. If you opt for implant-supported dentures, the requirements are stricter as your body will need to handle a complex implant placement surgery.

Generally, dental implants, implant-supported dentures, and bridges provide more stability and chewing power than traditional dentures. However, for people who cannot have those types of dental restorations, dentures will still provide significant improvements in the appearance of your smile, chewing function, and speaking.

Getting traditional removable dentures may take between 3 and 12 weeks. If you need your natural teeth extracted first, the entire process will take closer to 12 weeks. If the process involves only an exam, taking impressions, and denture manufacturing, it is likely to take around 3 to 4 weeks.

Getting implant-supported dentures will take significantly longer, as the implants will need to fuse with your jawbone before the dentures can be attached to them. This process typically takes 4 to 8 months.

Modern dentures look natural in the mouth when they are fitted properly and made of high-quality materials. They closely mimic natural tooth enamel and gum tissue and are designed with your facial structure and skin tone in mind.

If you have traditional removable dentures, proper care involves the following: 

  • Clean your dentures daily with mild soap or a specialized denture paste 
  • Soak dentures in water or a mild denture-soaking solution overnight to prevent them from drying out
  • Rinse your dentures after every meal
  • Clean your dentures above a bowl with water to prevent breaking them if you accidentally drop them 
  • Never use hot water to clean your dentures

Most dental insurance plans partially cover dentures. You may expect around 50% of the final cost to be covered. However, many insurance plans have yearly maximums, meaning that you will have to pay anything above the limit out of pocket. Also, some plans may have waiting periods before covering major restorative work. We recommend contacting your dental office and insurance company before the procedure to ensure that it will be covered by insurance. To learn about our financing offers, do not hesitate to contact our office at (619) 333-5986.

Traditional dentures that rely on your jawbone and gums for support offer limited biting and chewing force compared to our natural teeth. Therefore, you will have to avoid foods that are hard to chew, such as:

  • Crackers and nuts
  • Hard raw vegetables and fruits
  • Sticky foods
  • Tough meats

It is recommended to opt for soft foods and cut your food into smaller pieces to prevent your dentures from shifting or slipping due to pressure applied by chewing.

If you have implant-supported dentures, you can eat the majority of the foods as they provide up to 95% of natural chewing and biting force. However, it is still recommended to avoid very hard, crunchy, and sticky foods.

Book Your Consultation

Give yourself back the smile you deserve with dentures with the El Cajon dentist. Call Dr. Mansour’s office or use the online form to set up your consultation.

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Accessibility Statement: Our office is committed to providing accessible care for all patients and strives to comply with ADA accessibility standards. If you need assistance or accommodations, please contact our office at (619) 333-5986 and we will be happy to help.

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