The image shows a person holding up a set of dentures, with the dentures prominently displayed against a neutral background.

Dentures

What are dentures?

Dentures are removable appliances that are designed to precisely and comfortably rest on top of the gums that cover the jawbones. They consist of natural-looking artificial teeth set in a supportive base. In addition to offering a cost-effective solution for the replacement of missing teeth, dentures are quite versatile. They can be used to replace either a few teeth that have been lost or all of the teeth in the upper or lower jaws.

While conventional bridgework and dental implants offer functional fixed solutions for rebuilding complete smiles, partial and full dentures are removable oral appliances that will accomplish the same goal. Dentures give you the ability to remove and clean the appliance yourself, and also clean your gum tissue and any remaining natural teeth a person may still have. Dentures are normally soaked/cleaned overnight while you sleep.

Types of Dentures:

Conventional Full Denture

This type of denture is fabricated and placed after all of the remaining teeth are removed, and the surrounding tissues have adequately healed. Fabricating a full denture when tissue healing is complete supports a precise and comfortable fit.

  • Immediate Denture: With an immediate denture, a patient does not have to go without teeth while waiting for complete healing of the extraction sites. An immediate denture offers the advantage of not having to go without teeth for any length of time, but it can require a reline and adjustments as the tissues remodel and heal. In some cases, for optimal comfort and fit, a conventional denture may eventually be required.
  • Implant-Supported Dentures: This type of denture attaches to a select number of strategically placed implants in the upper or lower jaw. These small surgical posts provide precise points of attachment for the overlying denture and add a significant measure of stability and retention.

Partial Dentures

In situations where some natural teeth remain, partial dentures can offer an effective solution for the replacement of missing teeth. Partial dentures typically achieve adequate retention and stability with clasps or precision attachments on the teeth adjacent to the edentulous areas (the spaces formerly occupied by the missing teeth).

Removable partial dentures can fill the void left by individual missing teeth and multiple ones to restore the look and function of a complete smile. It also stabilizes the dentition and bite and prevents unwanted drifting of the remaining natural teeth.

As with full dentures, partial denture design and fabrication varies based on a patient’s specific needs. With advances in dental materials and technology, partial denture wearers have more options than ever before. A partial denture’s supportive framework can be fabricated from various materials, including cast metal, flexible resins, and hybrid materials.

At Moudy Dental, we’re dedicated to building healthy and beautiful smiles. As your trusted partner in care, you can depend on our office to design and fabricate a denture that will look good, fit comfortably, and serve you well for years to come.

What To Expect When You Receive Your New Denture

At Moudy Dental, our patients' care and comfort are our top priorities. Our goal is to help patients enjoy optimal oral health and to keep them well informed every step of the way.

  • Adjusting to wearing a new denture Getting used to wearing a new denture, especially a full denture, can take a little time. It’s not unusual that some minor adjustments are needed as you begin to speak, chew, and function with your new teeth. It can take a few adjustments to fit completely and feel comfortable. If you have a sore spot, try to wear the denture at least the day before your adjustment visit. In this way, we can see exactly where we need to relieve the area causing your irritation.
  • More saliva than usual One of the natural responses to a new denture is for your mouth to produce more saliva. Not to worry, this is only a temporary reaction. The flow of saliva gradually decreases back to a normal level.
  • Speaking with ease While it may seem challenging to speak clearly at first with a new denture, that feeling will pass within a few days. It’s important to keep talking, as usual, to allow yourself to adapt to your new set of teeth. You can help things along by reading out loud.
  • Getting used to eating with a denture If this is your first denture, it can also take some time to adapt to eating with your new prosthesis. Getting used to eating with a full denture is typically more challenging than doing so with a partial denture. It’s best to start with soft foods and to avoid chewing on just one side. Your tongue, lips, cheeks, and soft tissues will soon adapt to chewing with your new denture, and from then on, you’ll be able to eat with ease.
  • Taking care of your dentures
    • It’s essential to keep your denture clean! Rinse your dentures after eating and brush them daily. In this way, you can prevent stains and bacteria from accumulating on your new set of teeth. It helps to use a brush designed for dentures. Also, remember to soak your dentures in water when you’re not wearing them and at least once a week in the recommended denture cleaner.
    • Brush any remaining teeth as well as your gums to keep them clean and the tissues healthy and firm. If you wear an upper denture, rinse and gently clean the roof of your mouth as well.
    • Take your dentures out at bedtime. This practice gives the gums and the jawbone a chance to rest, helping to prevent irritation and infection as well as bone resorption (shrinkage).
  • Follow-up care Maintaining oral health and overall well-being involves routine checkups and care. At these visits, we not only check the fit and condition of your dentures but we also perform a comprehensive exam to check the status of any remaining teeth as well as assess the health of all of the soft and hard tissues in and around the oral cavity.
  • Relines Over time, the tissues supporting the denture can change. As the shape and contours of these tissues shrink or remodel, your denture may not fit as comfortably or feel as stable as it once did. A separate reline procedure may be recommended.

At the office of Moudy Dental, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality of care. If you have any additional questions or concerns about your new dentures, feel free to contact our office.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best way to replace missing teeth?

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Today, it’s easier than ever to replace missing teeth and achieve natural-looking, durable, and long-lasting results! Depending on a patient’s dental needs, lifestyle, expectations of care, and budget, choices can include conventional fixed bridgework, dental implants, or removable partial and complete dentures. At the office of Moudy Dental, we’ll discuss all your options in care and answer all your questions as you choose the solution that’s right for you.

Do dentures provide natural-looking results?

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With advances in dental materials and technology, today’s dentures are more comfortable and realistic-looking than ever before.

Do I still have to see a dentist if I wear dentures?

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Whether you wear partial or complete dentures, it’s essential to see the dentist for routine care. Besides checking the fit and condition of your dentures and making any necessary adjustments, you’ll also receive a comprehensive exam to check on the health of any remaining teeth as well as the soft and hard tissues in and around the oral cavity.

What's a same-day denture?

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A same-day denture offers an accelerated design and fabrication process that allows a patient to go from impression taking to denture insertion in a single day.

What is the main benefit of an immediate denture?

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For patients who don’t want to wait after having teeth extracted, an immediate denture can be inserted the same day your teeth are removed. Sometime later you may need the denture relined to address any changes in its fit once the extraction sites have completely healed.

What if I break my denture?

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While no one wants to drop or break a partial or complete denture, accidents do happen. The good news is that in some cases, your partial or complete denture is reparable. It all depends on the extent of the damage. Don’t hesitate to contact our office if you’ve broken or damaged your denture. We’re happy to help.

What if the clasps on my partial have loosened?

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The simple act of taking your partial denture in and out can cause certain types of metal clasps to loosen over time. When you come in for your checkup visit or contact our office for an adjustment, we’ll assess the fit of your partial and tighten the clasps for improved stability and comfort.

How much do partial or complete dentures cost?

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While rebuilding a complete smile is a worthwhile investment, our office is sensitive to the costs involved in dental care. We customize care and will discuss which treatment options address your needs, lifestyle, and budget. How much a new denture will cost depends on the type of the prosthesis, its design, and the materials used to fabricate the supportive base, teeth, and clasps or precision attachments. Dentures that include the placement of dental implants for added retention and stability typically involve additional costs.

Does dental insurance cover the cost of dentures?

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If you have dental insurance, your coverage may include a new or replacement set of dentures.  Our staff is happy to review your coverage with you to ensure you are maximizing your insurance benefits while minimizing any out of pocket expenses.

Why choose the office of Moudy Dental?

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At the office of Moudy Dental, we provide an extensive range of dental services, including the latest and most effective methods to help patients with missing teeth rebuild complete and beautiful smiles. As skilled and experienced professionals, we recognize that every patient is different, and every smile is unique. We’re passionate about what we do and take great pride in providing personalized treatment plans while treating our patients as valued partners in care.

Our Mission Statement is simple. Patients first!

With over 80 years of combined experience among our staff - We know the patient is what matters. We desire to personalize care - to make certain every patient leaves content with their dental needs met.

Experience Expert Care

Don’t wait to enjoy the benefits of a stable, natural-looking smile. Our convenient North Little Rock location offers ample parking and flexible payment options, including CarePay+ financing, to make your treatment affordable.

Office Hours

Monday
7:00 am - 3:00 pm
Tuesday
7:00 am - 3:00 pm
Wednesday
7:00 am - 3:00 pm
Thursday
7:00 am - 3:00 pm