Dentures

Dentures at Westlake Dental Care

Restore Function. Regain Confidence.

At Westlake Dental Care, we believe that replacing missing teeth is essential not only for your appearance but also for your overall oral health and quality of life. Dentures offer an effective and time-tested solution for patients who have lost several or all of their natural teeth, providing support for the facial structure and restoring your ability to speak, chew, and smile with confidence.

What Are Dentures?

Dentures are custom-made dental prosthetics designed to replace missing teeth and the surrounding gum tissue. They are typically made from high-quality acrylic materials and crafted to fit comfortably and securely within the mouth. Dentures can restore both the function and aesthetics of your natural smile.

There are two primary types of complete dentures:

Conventional Dentures
These are fabricated after all teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has fully healed. The healing process may take several weeks to a few months, during which time the gum contours stabilize to ensure a better long-term fit.
Immediate Dentures
These are prepared in advance and inserted on the same day your teeth are extracted. While immediate dentures provide the benefit of never being without teeth, they may require adjustments or relining after your gums have healed.

Upper vs. Lower Dentures

Upper Dentures typically cover the entire palate (roof of the mouth) with a flesh-toned acrylic base.
Lower Dentures are designed in a U-shape to allow room for the tongue, offering a stable and natural feel.

Depending on your individual needs, the teeth in your dentures may be made from acrylic resin, porcelain, or a combination of both materials.

Implant-Supported Dentures

For enhanced comfort and stability, dentures can also be anchored to dental implants. Implant-supported dentures offer a secure fit, reduced movement, and improved function—especially for lower dentures, which are traditionally more difficult to keep in place.

Additionally, dentures can be fabricated to fit over remaining tooth roots or endodontically treated (root canal) teeth, offering a hybrid solution that combines natural support with prosthetic restoration.

Long-Term Maintenance

Like natural teeth, dentures require proper care and maintenance. Over time, the underlying bone and gum tissues can change shape, especially after tooth loss. These changes may cause your denture to become loose or less comfortable, making periodic adjustments or relining necessary.

Most dentures will eventually need to be replaced due to wear or changes in the mouth’s structure. Regular dental exams are essential—even for denture wearers—to monitor oral health, screen for abnormalities, and ensure the continued proper fit of the appliance.

When to Consider Dentures

You may benefit from full or partial dentures if you:

Are missing multiple teeth or a full arch of teeth
Have difficulty chewing or speaking due to tooth loss
Want to improve your facial aesthetics and support
Are looking for a non-invasive or cost-effective tooth replacement option

Personalized Care Every Step of the Way

At Westlake Dental Care, we understand that adjusting to life with dentures can be an emotional and physical transition. Our team is here to guide you through the entire process with compassion, precision, and personalized attention. From your initial consultation to fitting and follow-up, we’re committed to making sure your dentures feel comfortable, look natural, and enhance your quality of life.a

Immediate Dentures

Immediate Dentures at Westlake Dental Care

A Seamless Transition to a Complete Smile

If you are preparing to have all of your remaining teeth removed, you don’t have to face a single day without a confident smile. At Westlake Dental Care, we offer immediate dentures—a specially designed solution that allows you to leave your extraction appointment with a full set of teeth already in place.

This approach offers a smoother, more dignified transition to dentures, helping you maintain your appearance, speech, and ability to chew during the healing process.

What Are Immediate Dentures?

Immediate dentures are full dentures that are fabricated before your teeth are extracted. This allows us to insert the denture immediately after the teeth are removed, eliminating the wait time that usually accompanies conventional denture fabrication. While your gums and bone are healing, the denture serves as both a temporary prosthetic and a protective covering for the surgical sites.

How the Process Works

Initial Consultation and Impressions
We begin by taking detailed impressions and measurements of your teeth and gums before the extractions. These impressions are used to craft a custom denture that mimics your natural smile and bite.
Tooth Extraction and Immediate Placement
On the day of your extractions, the immediate denture is inserted directly after your teeth are removed. This allows you to walk out of our office with a complete smile.
Healing and Adjustments
As your gums and jawbone heal, you will experience natural changes in the shape and fit of your mouth. Because immediate dentures are placed before this healing process, they may require periodic adjustments to stay comfortable and functional.

Important Considerations with Immediate Dentures

Fit and Esthetics
Because the denture must be created in advance, there may be some limitations in customizing the final fit or appearance compared to conventional dentures that are made after healing is complete.
Bone and Gum Shrinkage
Following extractions, your jawbone and gum tissues will naturally shrink over time. This can affect the stability and comfort of your immediate denture. Temporary liners, tissue conditioners, and future relines may be necessary to maintain an ideal fit.
Adjustments and Follow-Up
Immediate dentures typically require more maintenance during the first several months, including soft liners and occasional refinements. Once healing is complete, a permanent reline or new denture may be recommended for long-term comfort and function.
Additional Costs
Temporary liners, tissue conditioners, and reline procedures are often billed separately, as they are essential components of post-operative care and long-term success.

Is an Immediate Denture Right for You?

Immediate dentures are ideal for patients who:

Need a full arch of teeth removed
Wish to maintain a full smile during healing
Prefer to avoid the social or functional challenges of being without teeth
Are healthy enough to undergo multiple dental procedures within a short period

At Westlake Dental Care, we will take the time to evaluate your oral health, treatment goals, and expectations. If immediate dentures are the right choice for you, we’ll guide you through every phase—from planning and surgery to healing and final restoration—with clear communication and compassionate care.

Implant-Retained Dentures

Implant-Retained Dentures at Westlake Dental Care

A Stable, Comfortable, and Natural-Looking Solution for Missing Teeth

If you are missing all or most of your teeth, you don’t have to settle for loose or uncomfortable dentures. At Westlake Dental Care, we offer implant-retained dentures—a transformative option that combines the security of dental implants with the functionality and affordability of a full-arch prosthetic. Whether you're missing all your upper or lower teeth, this solution provides improved comfort, aesthetics, and long-term oral health.

Why Replace Missing Teeth?

When a tooth is lost, several challenges can arise beyond just the appearance of your smile. Missing teeth can lead to:

Difficulty chewing or speaking clearly
Changes in your bite and facial structure
Excess stress on remaining teeth
Jawbone loss over time
Chronic jaw tension, headaches, or TMJ symptoms

By replacing missing teeth with implant-retained dentures, we can help restore not just your smile—but your comfort, function, and confidence as well.

Benefits of Implant-Retained Dentures

Dramatically Improved Stability while eating and speaking
Preservation of Bone and Gum Tissue, minimizing jaw shrinkage
Enhanced Comfort and Confidence, no adhesives needed
Natural-Looking Aesthetics for a seamless smile
Improved Nutrition due to better chewing ability
Better Oral Hygiene, especially with removable bar-supported options

Lower Arch Replacement Options

Many patients tolerate upper dentures well, but lower dentures often present challenges with stability and comfort. Implant-retained dentures offer a range of options to improve lower-arch retention and function:

1. Ball Attachment Denture (Locator Denture)

This cost-effective option involves placing two implants in the lower jaw and fitting the denture with attachments that "snap" onto the implants. This greatly improves retention compared to traditional dentures, though some minor movement is still possible. Regular follow-up is needed for adjustments, and sore spots may occur if food debris is trapped underneath.

2. Bar Attachment Denture (Overdenture)

In this approach, four to six implants are placed and connected with a custom metal bar. The denture securely clips onto the bar using internal attachments, providing far greater stability than snap-on dentures. The prosthetic is removable for cleaning, but locks in place during daily use, giving you reliable support and minimizing movement.

3. Screw-Retained Fixed Denture

For patients seeking a permanent, non-removable solution, this option uses five or more implants to securely hold a full-arch denture in place with screws. The denture does not sit on the gum tissue and does not need to be removed daily—only your dentist will remove it during scheduled maintenance visits. This approach offers maximum stability and a truly natural feel, though it requires more advanced hygiene care at home.

Upper Arch Replacement Options

Replacing missing upper teeth with implant-retained dentures comes with unique considerations. The bone in the upper jaw is typically softer, so more implants may be required to ensure long-term success. However, the benefits are just as impactful.

Implant-Retained Upper Denture

Depending on the number and placement of implants, we may be able to eliminate the need for the traditional denture palate, allowing you to:

Taste your food more fully
Speak more naturally
Experience less bulk in your mouth
Enjoy a more realistic feel

This denture can be made removable (for easier cleaning) while still offering impressive stability and comfort throughout the day.

Are Implant-Retained Dentures Right for You?

Implant-retained dentures are an ideal solution for patients who:

Are missing all or most of their teeth
Struggle with loose or uncomfortable conventional dentures
Want a more permanent and functional solution
Desire greater confidence and quality of life

At Westlake Dental Care, we’ll conduct a thorough evaluation—reviewing your oral health, bone structure, and goals—to determine the best implant-supported solution for you.

Partial Dentures

Removable Partial Dentures at Westlake Dental Care

Restore Function, Appearance, and Comfort with a Custom-Fit Solution

When one or more teeth are missing, it can impact far more than just your smile. Everyday activities like chewing and speaking may become difficult, and your remaining teeth can begin to shift out of place, affecting your bite and oral health. At Culpeper Dental Care, we offer customized removable partial dentures designed to restore both the function and appearance of your smile—while protecting the stability of your remaining teeth.

What Are Removable Partial Dentures?

A removable partial denture (RPD) is a dental prosthesis designed to replace one or more missing teeth in the upper or lower arch. Unlike full dentures, partials are used when some healthy natural teeth remain. Each RPD is carefully crafted to fit your mouth precisely, ensuring optimal comfort, stability, and aesthetics.

Partial dentures are held in place with precision clasps or attachments that anchor to the existing teeth and gums, allowing for easy removal and cleaning while maintaining daily function and a natural appearance.

Why Choose a Partial Denture?

Missing teeth can lead to a wide range of oral health and lifestyle issues. A well-designed partial denture can help to:

Restore a natural-looking smile
Improve speech clarity and confidence
Make chewing and eating easier and more effective
Prevent remaining teeth from shifting out of alignment
Support facial muscles and maintain a youthful appearance
Provide an affordable, non-surgical alternative to implants or bridges

Materials and Design Options

Removable partial dentures come in a variety of materials and configurations. Your dentist at Culpeper Dental Care will evaluate your unique dental anatomy, oral health condition, and lifestyle needs to recommend the most appropriate type:

Metal Framework Partials

Made of lightweight, durable cobalt-chromium
Stronger and thinner than acrylic alternatives
More hygienic and less bulky
Offer superior long-term comfort and function

Acrylic Base Partials

Typically used as transitional or temporary solutions
More cost-effective initially, but less durable
Often used when future extractions or dental implants are anticipated

Regardless of the type, each partial is designed to distribute chewing forces evenly across your remaining teeth and gums, minimizing stress and helping maintain healthy oral structures. In some cases, minor adjustments or reshaping of existing teeth may be recommended to improve retention and balance.

Your Personalized Care Plan

At Culpeper Dental Care, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all dentistry. Every removable partial denture begins with a comprehensive consultation and thorough dental evaluation. We’ll review your x-rays, current tooth positioning, bone structure, and gum health to design a partial denture that:

Fits securely and comfortably
Enhances your smile naturally
Protects and complements your existing teeth
Aligns with your budget, health, and long-term goals

Long-Term Benefits of Partial Dentures

A high-quality partial denture not only restores your smile but also protects your overall oral health. Benefits include:

Improved digestion, thanks to better chewing efficiency
Enhanced speech clarity and social confidence
Support for facial structure, reducing the “sunken” look from missing teeth
Reduced stress on natural teeth by distributing bite forces
A cost-effective and minimally invasive solution to tooth loss