Dentures & Partial Dentures

A denture is a removable appliance that replaces missing teeth and the surrounding tissue, custom-made to look natural and restore your smile.

Complete vs. partial dentures

Complete dentures replace all the teeth in an arch. Partial dentures fill the gaps left by missing teeth while keeping your remaining natural teeth from shifting out of place.

Conventional vs. immediate dentures

A conventional denture is made after teeth are removed and your gums have healed, typically 4–6 weeks, during which you'll be without teeth in that area. An immediate denture is made in advance and placed right after extraction, so you're never without teeth — though it will need adjusting as your gums heal.

What to expect

Getting dentures involves a few appointments over several weeks: taking precise impressions and measurements, trying in the denture to check fit, shape, and color, and a final fitting with any needed adjustments. It's normal to notice extra saliva, minor soreness, or a slight adjustment period with speaking and chewing at first — this settles down as your mouth adapts.

Caring for your dentures

Dentures are built to last many years, though they may eventually need relining, repair, or replacement due to normal wear. Regular cleaning, good oral hygiene, and routine dental visits help them last as long as possible.

Content reviewed by Jamisen Kohlman, DMD — KoLa Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, Austin, TX.

Common Questions

Frequently asked questions

Most patients adjust within a few weeks as they get used to speaking and eating with them. We're happy to make adjustments during this period.
Dentures typically need replacement or relining every 5–7 years as your mouth changes over time.
A full denture replaces all the teeth in an upper or lower arch, while a partial denture fills in gaps and attaches to your remaining natural teeth. We’ll recommend the option that fits your smile and your goals.
Yes — a few implants can anchor a denture firmly in place, dramatically improving stability and chewing power compared to a traditional denture alone.
Clean them daily with a denture brush, soak them overnight, and never use hot water, which can warp the fit. Keep up regular visits so we can check the fit and the health of your gums. Complete instructions — including snap-in attachment care — are in our denture care guide and our partial denture care guide, each with a printable PDF.
What you pay depends mostly on your coverage: many of the plans we work with cover dentures at 50–80%, so many insured patients pay $170–$780* out of pocket per arch for a complete denture and roughly $125–$830 for a partial. Without insurance, our full office fees typically run $1,500–$2,500 per arch for a complete denture and $1,250–$2,250 for a partial, depending on the design. Whether extractions or implants are needed first also affects the total, and many plans run denture benefits on a multi-year replacement cycle. We verify your coverage and provide a written treatment plan before starting, with financing available.

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