Full or Partial Dentures

Dentures offer an affordable way to replace any number of missing teeth in your mouth. They have a long history of success and continue to earn a place in the list of options for rebuilding your smile.

As you may know, dentures are removable substitutes for missing teeth. Full dentures provide value when a person is missing all of their natural teeth while partial dentures replace only individual missing teeth to eliminate gaps and improve chewing. Denture treatment is customized specifically to each patient, and Dr. Fabiola Garcia can help you decide which option works best for you.

Full Dentures (conventional and implant-supported)

Sometimes dental conditions, such as tooth decay or gum disease, can become unmanageable. This may lead to the decision to remove your remaining teeth on one or both jaws. Regardless of the case, full dentures are an economical and efficient way to restore your function and smile.

A complete denture consists of a thin acrylic base that rests on the gum tissue and is the same color as your gums. Porcelain or acrylic replacement teeth built into the base give the appearance of natural teeth emerging from the gums. We know that your smile is unique, and Dr. Fabiola Garcia has the experience to help you select the teeth that appear most natural and harmonious in your smile. This gives you the option to customize the way you look, whether you want a "new" smile or just want to restore the one you had.

While dentures boast a long history of successful use, modern technology offers better options to enhance the way they fit and the way you look. In many cases, dentures can be secured more firmly to your jaw with the use of dental implants, placed in the jaw and connected under the base of the denture. This connection can be designed to create permanent fixation of the denture or to allow for its removal at times. In addition to having greater retention and a more natural look, implant-supported dentures tend to last longer. Dr. Fabiola Garcia can discuss these options and help you understand the ways they can improve your experience with dentures.

Partial Dentures

Whether you've lost one tooth or many, chewing and smiling can become more difficult because of the gaps left behind. Partial dentures are an economical solution to replace the missing teeth and fill in the spaces, improving chewing ability and the confidence to smile. A partial denture in place will also help keep your natural teeth from shifting, lowering the risk of losing those teeth in the future.

Most partial dentures contain a thin metal framework that is designed to rest close to your gums and allow for a smooth, non-bulky feel. The framework is supported by your natural teeth to provide a reliable, secure appliance that is easy to use. Where teeth are missing, natural-looking replacement teeth are attached to the frame, and gum-colored acrylic is used to make the appliance blend with your mouth. Again, your mouth and your needs are unique, and Dr. Fabiola Garcia works with skilled technicians to create a solution that is comfortable and esthetic.

With advances in technology, implants can also be used to support removable partial dentures, improving the fit while reducing the size of the appliance. Dentures inherently bring some challenges, especially to new wearers. Our goal is to minimize the everyday frustrations to the lowest level possible.

We look forward to discussing your options to make your mouth full again and to give you back a confident, glowing smile!

Custom Houston Dentures

Are dentures right for you? If you have several missing teeth or don’t qualify for dental implants, our Houston dentist Dr. Fabiola Garcia may recommend a personalized denture.

Full Dentures (“Plates”)

When you need to replace all of your missing teeth at one time, dentures are usually the quickest and most affordable treatment.

Traditional dentures are removable and cover your entire upper or lower arch. Upper dentures rely on a suction between the “plate” and your palate to help keep it secured, while lower dentures are typically held in by your tongue and cheek muscles.

Wearing a full denture can take a bit of practice, but with time you can learn to eat all of your favorite foods again!

During your denture design process, our Houston dentist will be able to select the size and color of teeth that best compliment your appearance. That way you can smile and laugh around friends again, instead of feeling self-conscious about having missing teeth.

Implant-Supported Dentures

If you’ve experienced bone loss or had the same pair of dentures for a long time, the shape of your jaws can change. This alteration may lead to a loose plate that feels uncomfortable or causes embarrassment or even painful sores.

Using 2-4 implants, our Houston dentist can secure your denture so that it fits in the same position all day but is still removable at night. Implants are the perfect alternative to gooey, messy denture adhesives.

Caring for Your New Denture

It’s important to care for your dentures just as well as your original smile, to prevent infections or sore spots. Excessive wear or harsh abrasives can cause permanent damage to your new appliance, leading to it not fitting properly.

Use a gentle denture cleanser and soak your appliance overnight, each evening. The next morning, use a soft denture brush to clean away debris and rinse thoroughly before putting it back inside your mouth. Clean your mouth daily with a soft washcloth, brushing any remaining teeth with a separate toothbrush.

Are Extractions Necessary?

We want to help you preserve your natural, healthy teeth for as long as possible. If you have any that are relatively stable, Dr. Garcia usually recommends keeping them. However, teeth with aggressive gum disease (periodontitis) or tooth decay will likely need to be extracted, so that a denture can replace them.

In some situations, we can have a custom appliance ready to wear on the same day that your teeth are removed so you are never without teeth.

Affordable Houston Dentures

Call Fabulous Dentistry today for a custom denture consultation and exam! We’re here to make sure you love your new smile!