Losing teeth — whether a few or all of them — affects far more than your appearance. It changes how you eat, how you speak, and often how you feel about yourself in social situations. At Maggie A. Kleem, DDS in Berea, Ohio, we provide full dentures and partial dentures that are crafted to look natural, fit well, and give you back the confidence to smile.
Today's dentures are nothing like the ill-fitting, obviously artificial appliances of previous generations. With modern materials and careful fitting, most people cannot tell you're wearing dentures at all.
Full Dentures
Full (complete) dentures replace all the teeth in the upper arch, the lower arch, or both. They rest on the gum tissue and are held in place through natural suction and, if desired, denture adhesive.
We offer conventional dentures, which are made after all remaining teeth have been removed and the gums have healed (typically 8 to 12 weeks), and immediate dentures, which are placed the same day teeth are removed so you're never without teeth during healing.
Partial Dentures
When you still have healthy natural teeth remaining, a partial denture is an excellent option. It fills in the spaces left by missing teeth and prevents the remaining teeth from shifting. Partials are held in place with clasps that attach discreetly to your existing teeth.
Partial dentures are removable — you take them out at night and clean them separately. They are typically more affordable than fixed options like bridges or implants, and for many patients they work extremely well.
What to Expect
Getting dentures involves several appointments over a few weeks. We take impressions, record your bite, do a trial fitting to verify the fit and appearance, and then complete the final appliance. We take the time to get the details right — tooth shade, shape, and gum color — so the result looks natural and feels comfortable.
There is typically an adjustment period of a few weeks as your mouth adapts. Minor sore spots are common at first and are easily resolved with a quick adjustment appointment.
Also worth considering: implant-supported dentures
For patients who want the stability and feel of fixed teeth without replacing every tooth individually, implant-supported dentures snap onto implants in the jawbone and eliminate the concern about slipping or shifting. Ask Dr. Kleem if this option is right for you.