Dentures in Denver, CO

In Colorado, 1 in 10 older adults has lost all their teeth due to gum disease or tooth decay. Many more are missing at least some permanent teeth. Unfortunately, losing teeth doesn’t just change how you look. It can also make eating your favorite foods or speaking clearly much harder, and may leave you feeling less confident in your smile. But today’s dentures offer a reliable way to restore function and aesthetics. If you’re ready to regain the freedom to enjoy meals, speak naturally, and smile with confidence again, we can help.

At Donald Rice, DDS, we genuinely care about our patients’ well-being and understand how deeply tooth loss can affect daily living. To meet each patient’s unique needs, we offer a variety of denture options, including full, partial, and implant-supported dentures. Whether you are missing a few teeth or all of them, our tooth replacement solutions can help you gain the confidence to live life to the fullest.

Understanding Dentures

Dentures are a tried-and-true solution for replacing missing teeth. These customized prosthetics are a valuable tool for a wide variety of individuals. The base of a denture, which mimics the gums, is typically made from acrylic resin due to its strength, durability, and biocompatibility. This material can be tinted to match the color of your natural gums, offering aesthetic flexibility. During the denture fabrication process, the acrylic resin is easily molded to ensure a custom fit. This material is also lightweight and cost-effective, making it a popular choice for creating both the base and the false teeth on dentures.

However, dentures may use porcelain for the false teeth. Porcelain is renowned for its incredibly natural appearance and durability, making it an excellent choice for achieving a beautiful and functional smile.

Types of Dentures

We offer a variety of dentures to suit different needs and preferences. These include full, partial, and implant dentures. We can customize each option to ensure a comfortable fit, natural appearance, and reliable function.

Full (or Complete) Dentures

These removable prosthetics replace an entire arch of missing teeth. You may need full dentures on your top arch, bottom arch, or both to restore your ability to eat, speak, and smile confidently.

Partial Dentures

We use partial dentures for patients who have lost some (but not all) of their teeth. They are similar in construction to full dentures but don’t include a full arch of false teeth. Instead, they fill in the spaces only where teeth are missing. The partials are fabricated with plastic or metal clasps that attach to your remaining teeth. Like full dentures, you can remove them for cleaning and sleeping.

Implant Dentures

Implant dentures have become the gold standard in full-arch tooth replacement. Dental implants create a solid foundation for the false teeth, ensuring they never budge.

A dental implant is a small metal post that Dr. Rice places in your jawbone. He places several implants in strategic positions throughout the jaw to create a scaffold for dentures. The implants integrate with the bone over time, becoming permanent fixtures in your mouth. The prosthetic itself can be either removable or permanently cemented, depending on your preferences.

The Benefits of Dental Implants

Many of our patients prefer implant dentures because of the many immediate and long-term benefits they provide, such as:

• Enhanced stability, security, and convenience: Dental implants provide a stable and secure foundation for dental appliances, preventing them from moving while you eat and speak. Unlike removable dentures, implant-supported options stay in place without adhesives. They’re a more convenient, low-maintenance solution for replacing missing teeth.
• Improved comfort: Because implants anchor the dentures firmly in place, they eliminate the discomfort often associated with removable prosthetics, such as sore spots and irritation.
• Superior chewing ability: With the added stability of implants, you can eat a wider variety of foods, allowing for a more balanced and enjoyable diet. Steak, bread, and nuts are all back on the menu!
• Natural look and feel: Implant dentures look, feel, and function more like natural teeth, giving you the confidence to smile, speak, and eat naturally.
• Better bone health: Implants mimic your natural tooth roots, which help to stimulate your jawbone when you bite and chew. The implants’ gentle pressure on the bone helps prevent it from deteriorating—a natural consequence of tooth loss.
• Greater longevity: Dental implants are highly durable and can last many years with proper care. They’re a reliable, long-term solution for replacing missing teeth.

The Denture Process

The first step in the denture process is a consultation, which allows us to evaluate your oral health and discuss your needs, preferences, and budget. At your visit, we’ll take any necessary X-rays and personalize your treatment plan.

If you have teeth that require extraction, we will remove them first and then allow the gums to heal. Everyone is different, but healing generally takes several weeks to a few months.

Once your gums recover, Dr. Rice will take impressions of your mouth to create a mold. Using this mold, he will create a wax model of your dentures. You’ll try on the wax model, and he’ll make sure the dentures fit and look the way you intended. Based on your feedback, Dr. Rice can make adjustments.

After the wax try-in, the dental lab creates your final prosthetic based on the approved model. When ready, you’ll return to the office, and Dr. Rice will fit your custom dentures. He’ll also teach you how to care for your false teeth to keep them in excellent condition and extend their life.

Getting Implant Dentures

If you choose implant dentures, Dr. Rice will begin by gently placing small titanium posts—either traditional or mini dental implants—into your jawbone. In many cases, he recommends mini dental implants due to their minimally invasive nature and faster healing time. Once the implants are in place, he’ll secure a temporary denture so you can leave your appointment with a complete smile.

Over the next few weeks, the implants naturally fuse with your jawbone, forming a stable base for your final custom denture. Once healing is complete, Dr. Rice will attach your permanent denture, check your bite, and make any final adjustments.

With your new implant-supported denture, you can look forward to a more secure fit, improved function, and a natural look and feel!

Find Your Perfect Denture Solution With Dr. Rice

At Donald Rice, DDS in Denver, we’re here to help you find the right denture option for your needs. Whether you need full, partial, or implant-supported dentures, our experienced team is here to provide you with the highest quality care. Our goal is to help you feel good about your smile again!

If you’re considering implant dentures, we offer free consultations to help you explore your options. Contact us today to take the next step to a more confident smile!

Frequently Asked Questions