Permanently replace missing teeth using a dental prosthetic.

Complete full dentures replace all the teeth, while a partial denture fills in the spaces created by missing teeth and prevents other teeth from changing position. Both dentures and partials are designed for a custom fit to your mouth to ensure your comfort.

Complete Dentures

At our Evanston dental office the denture process takes about one month and several appointments: the initial diagnosis is made; an impression and a wax bite are made to determine vertical dimensions and proper jaw position. The impressions and wax bite are sent to a lab, where they create your denture. Once the denture is received back in our office, you will come in for a “try-in” appointment to ensure proper color, shape and fit. Depending on how the “try-in” appointment goes, the denture may be sent back to the lab for any large adjustments or one of our skilled dentists may make small adjustments. Once the denture fits properly it is placed in your mouth allowing you to show the world your beautiful smile.

For the first few weeks, a new denture may feel awkward or bulky. However, your mouth will eventually become accustomed to wearing it. Inserting and removing the denture will require some practice.

If you ever feel discomfort with your new denture, please contact our office as an adjustment may need to be made to ensure proper fit.

Partial Dentures

Partial dentures may require several appointments as they are made at an outside lab. Partial dentures can span large numbers of teeth or hold just one tooth. Often partials that contain only one tooth are called flippers and are used for retention and spacing while an implant heals.

At your initial appointment, your dentist will walk through your options for replacing missing teeth. You options may include implants and bridges as well as a partial. If you decide to use a partial to restore your missing teeth, your dental assistant will take impressions, a wax-bite, and a tooth shade (so as to match your existing tooth color). These will be sent to the lab where your custom partial will be created. Once we receive your partial back in the office, we will have a try-in appointment to check color and fit. Your dentist may make minor adjustments, or the partial may be sent back to the lab if major adjustments need to be made. Once your new partial fits comfortably, it will be placed in your mouth.

As with complete dentures, your partial may feel awkward for the first few weeks. Your mouth will become more accustomed to wearing the appliance the longer, and more often, you wear it. Your partial should fit comfortably in your mouth. Never force a partial denture into position by biting down. This could bend or break the clasps, causing damage that can only be repaired by a dentist or laboratory technician.

If your partial ever feels tight or uncomfortable, please contact our office so that the dentist can adjust it as necessary.