Dentures

What Are Dentures?

Dentures are removable appliances designed to replace missing teeth and restore the appearance and function of your smile. According to the American Dental Association, dentures improve your ability to eat and speak, and restore the fullness of your face — tooth loss can cause the facial muscles to sag, making a person look older. Whether you are missing all of your teeth or just several, there is a denture option suited to your needs.

At Gentle Family Dentistry in Hampton, NH, Dr. Bei Li takes a thorough, personalized approach to denture fabrication — ensuring a comfortable fit, a natural appearance, and a result you feel confident wearing every day.

Types of Dentures

Full (Complete) Dentures replace all of the teeth in the upper or lower arch, or both. They rest on the gums and are held in place by suction and, if desired, denture adhesive.

Partial Dentures replace one or more missing teeth when some natural teeth remain. They attach to your natural teeth with metal clasps or precision attachments and are removed for cleaning.

Immediate Dentures are placed on the same day your teeth are extracted, so you are never without teeth during healing. They may require adjustments as the gums and bone heal and change shape.

Overdentures are fitted over a small number of remaining natural teeth or dental implants that have been specially prepared to support the denture. This approach preserves bone and provides more stability than conventional dentures.

Source: American Dental Association — Dentures (MouthHealthy.org)

Implant-Supported Dentures

Implant-supported dentures are anchored to dental implants placed in the jawbone, providing significantly more stability and comfort than traditional dentures. They do not slip, click, or require adhesive. Implant support also preserves jawbone density, preventing the bone loss that occurs with tooth loss. Most patients find that implant dentures dramatically improve their quality of life — allowing them to eat foods they couldn't with conventional dentures.

If you are interested in implant-supported dentures, Dr. Li will evaluate your bone density and overall oral health to determine if you are a good candidate.

What to Expect: Getting Dentures

The process begins with several appointments to take measurements, bite records, and impressions of your mouth. Trial dentures are created so you and Dr. Li can assess the fit, appearance, and bite before the final dentures are fabricated. Most patients experience an adjustment period of a few weeks, during which the dentures may feel slightly loose or cause minor irritation as your mouth adapts. This is completely normal.

Follow-up appointments are scheduled after placement to check the fit and make any necessary adjustments. If at any point your dentures feel uncomfortable or stop fitting properly, contact us — your mouth changes over time and dentures may need to be relined or replaced every 5–7 years.

Caring for Your Dentures

Rinse dentures before brushing to remove loose food. Use a soft brush and non-abrasive cleanser — never regular toothpaste, which is too harsh. Soak dentures in water or a denture-cleaning solution when not wearing them to prevent warping. Even with full dentures, brush your gums, tongue, and the roof of your mouth daily to stimulate circulation and remove bacteria. And always keep your regular dental checkups — we monitor your oral tissues, the fit of your dentures, and screen for oral cancer.