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Dentures

Dentures in Miami

Dentures replace missing teeth with a natural-looking set you can eat, speak and smile with. Full or partial, traditional or held by implants, made to fit your mouth — and looked after for as long as you wear them.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Rodolfo Rodriguez, DMD · Updated

Types of dentures

  • Full dentures replace every tooth in the upper or lower arch. They rest on the gums and are held by their fit and by suction.
  • Partial dentures fill the gaps when you still have healthy teeth, holding onto them so the replacement teeth stay in place.
  • Immediate dentures are made before your teeth are removed and placed the same day, so you're never without teeth. See immediate dentures.
  • Snap-in dentures on implants click onto dental implants for a much firmer hold. See implant-supported dentures.

When dentures make sense

Dentures are often the quickest and most affordable way to replace many missing teeth, and they need no surgery unless teeth have to come out first. For some people they're the right long-term answer; for others they're a step on the way to implants.

If a loose or uncomfortable denture is what brings you in, ask about adding implants. Even two implants can change how a lower denture feels. All-on-X dental implants explains the fixed options too.

How dentures are made

Consultation and records

We examine your mouth, talk about what you want from your new teeth, and take impressions and measurements of your bite.

Choosing your teeth

Together we choose the shape, size and shade of the teeth so they suit your face.

Try-in

Before the denture is finished, you try in a wax version to check the fit, the bite and the look, and we make changes until it's right.

Fitting and adjustments

When your denture is ready, we fit it, check your bite and show you how to put it in, take it out and clean it. A few follow-up visits to ease sore spots are normal in the first weeks.

Getting used to new dentures

New dentures feel big at first. Speaking and eating take practice, and a few sore spots are common while your gums adjust. Most people settle in within a few weeks. Adjusting to new dentures covers what to expect and what helps.

Caring for dentures

  • Take your dentures out and rinse them after eating
  • Brush them every day with a soft brush and a denture cleaner — not regular toothpaste, which can scratch them
  • Keep them moist overnight, in water or a soaking solution, unless we've told you otherwise
  • Never use hot water or bleach, which can warp or weaken them
  • Brush your gums, tongue and any remaining teeth too

More in how to care for dentures.

Relines, repairs and replacement

Your gums and jawbone slowly change shape after teeth are lost, so a denture that fit perfectly can loosen over time. A reline reshapes the fitting surface to match your mouth again, and cracks, chips and broken teeth can usually be repaired. See denture relines and repairs.

With good care, dentures typically last several years before they need replacing. We'll check yours at your regular visits.

Cost and insurance

The cost depends on the type of denture, how many teeth are being replaced, any extractions, and whether implants are involved. We're currently out of network with dental insurance and submit claims as a courtesy. Financing is available — see Insurance & membership.

FAQs

How long do dentures last?
Typically several years. They wear, and your mouth changes shape, so they need relines along the way and eventually replacement. Regular checkups help them last.
Will dentures change how I look?
Well-made dentures support your lips and cheeks, which often makes the face look fuller and more like it did with natural teeth.
Will I be able to eat normally?
With practice, most foods. Start with soft foods cut into small pieces, chew on both sides, and work up from there. Very hard or sticky foods are worth avoiding.
Can I sleep with my dentures in?
We usually recommend taking them out at night to give your gums a rest, unless Dr. Rodriguez advises otherwise — for example, the first night after immediate dentures.
Are implants better than dentures?
Implants hold teeth more firmly and help preserve bone, but they involve surgery, more time and more cost. Dentures work well for many people. We'll explain both for your mouth.
Does insurance cover dentures?
Many plans include some coverage. We're out of network and submit claims as a courtesy; reimbursement depends on your plan.

Terms

Denture base
The gum-colored part of a denture that holds the teeth and rests on your gums.
Clasp
The small arm on a partial denture that holds onto a natural tooth.
Edentulous
Having no natural teeth in an arch.
Immediate denture
A denture placed the same day teeth are removed.
Overdenture
A removable denture that snaps onto implants.
Reline
Reshaping the fitting surface of a denture so it fits your gums again.
Rebase
Replacing the whole base of a denture while keeping its teeth.
Denture stomatitis
Irritation of the gums under a denture, often from a poor fit or from wearing it day and night.

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Tell us what's going on, in English or Spanish. We'll take it from there.

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