Dentures in Grand Rapids, MI
Eastgate Family Dental
Get your confidence back with natural-looking dentures designed just for you.
Today's Dentures Are Nothing Like You'd Expect
If you're picturing the clunky, obvious dentures your grandparents wore, it's time to update that image. Modern dentures are lightweight, comfortable, and look remarkably natural. They're custom-made to fit your mouth, match your facial features, and give you a smile that feels like yours.
Whether you're missing all of your teeth or just a few, dentures can restore your ability to eat, speak, and smile with confidence. At Eastgate Family Dental, we take the time to get the fit right. Dentures that fit well are dentures you'll actually want to wear.
We'll walk you through every option, answer all your questions, and help you find the solution that works best for your life and your budget.
Types of Dentures We Offer
Full Dentures
Replace an entire arch of missing teeth: upper, lower, or both. Full dentures rest on your gums and are held in place by suction and the natural contours of your mouth. They restore your smile, your ability to chew, and the natural shape of your face.
Partial Dentures
When you still have some healthy natural teeth, a partial denture fills in the gaps. It uses discreet clasps or precision attachments to anchor to your remaining teeth, blending in so well that most people won't notice you're wearing one.
Implant-Supported Dentures
The best of both worlds. These dentures snap onto dental implants placed in your jawbone, giving you a secure, stable fit that won't slip or shift. You get the convenience of a removable denture with the confidence of something that stays firmly in place.
Full Dentures: A Complete Smile Again
Full dentures are designed for people who have lost all of their teeth in one or both arches. They're custom-crafted from impressions of your mouth, so the base fits snugly against your gums and the teeth are positioned to look natural and work properly when you chew and speak.
Upper full dentures include a flesh-colored acrylic plate that covers the roof of your mouth, which helps create suction to hold the denture in place. Lower full dentures are horseshoe-shaped to leave room for your tongue. Some patients use a small amount of denture adhesive for extra security, especially while they're getting used to the fit.
If you need teeth extracted before getting dentures, we can sometimes provide immediate dentures, a temporary set that you wear right away while your gums heal. Once healing is complete, we'll fit you with your permanent set.
Partial Dentures: Filling in the Gaps
If you're missing several teeth but still have healthy teeth remaining, a partial denture is often the ideal solution. Think of it as a puzzle piece that fills in exactly where your missing teeth are, blending in with your natural ones.
Partial dentures use a metal or flexible framework with clasps that attach to your existing teeth for support. The replacement teeth are mounted on a gum-colored base that matches your natural tissue. When it's in place, it looks and functions like your original teeth.
Beyond restoring your smile, partial dentures also prevent your remaining teeth from shifting out of position, something that naturally happens when gaps are left unfilled. They help keep your bite aligned and your jaw healthy.
Implant-Supported Dentures: Stability You Can Count On
If you want the security of something that won't budge when you eat, laugh, or talk, implant-supported dentures are worth considering. Instead of relying on suction or adhesive, they snap onto small titanium implants that are placed directly into your jawbone.
This approach offers several advantages: you'll have stronger biting force, so you can enjoy more of the foods you love. The implants also stimulate your jawbone, which helps prevent the bone loss that commonly happens after tooth loss. And because the denture clicks securely into place, you won't have to worry about it slipping at the worst possible moment.
Implant-supported dentures can be removable (you snap them out for cleaning) or fixed (only your dentist removes them). We'll help you decide which option makes the most sense based on your needs, your jawbone health, and your goals. Learn more about the implant process on our dental implants page.
What to Expect: The Denture Process
Consultation & Treatment Planning
We'll examine your mouth, discuss your options, and create a personalized plan. If any teeth need to be extracted first, we'll schedule that as well.
Impressions & Measurements
We take detailed impressions of your mouth along with measurements of your bite and jaw relationship. These are sent to the dental lab to create your custom dentures.
Try-In Appointment
Before your final dentures are made, you'll try on a wax model so we can check the fit, bite, and appearance. This is your chance to make adjustments before everything is finalized.
Final Fitting
Your finished dentures are placed and adjusted for comfort. We'll make sure everything feels right and looks great before you leave.
Follow-Up Adjustments
It's normal to need a few minor tweaks as you get used to your new dentures. We'll bring you back for adjustments until everything feels just right.
Caring for Your Dentures
Daily Cleaning
Brush your dentures every day with a soft-bristled denture brush and a non-abrasive denture cleaner. Regular toothpaste can be too harsh and scratch the surface.
Soak Overnight
Most dentures need to stay moist to keep their shape. Place them in water or a denture-soaking solution every night while you sleep.
Handle with Care
Dentures can break if dropped. When cleaning them, hold them over a folded towel or a sink filled with water, just in case.
Keep Up with Checkups
Come in for regular visits so we can check the fit, examine your gums and oral tissue, and make any needed adjustments. Your mouth changes over time, and your dentures may need to be relined or replaced.
Adjusting to New Dentures
Getting used to new dentures takes a little patience, and that's completely normal. Here's what to expect in the first few weeks:
Your dentures may feel bulky or awkward at first. Your mouth needs time to adjust to having something new in it. You might notice extra saliva production in the first day or two. This is your body's natural response and it settles down quickly.
Eating will feel different at first. Start with soft foods cut into small pieces, and chew on both sides of your mouth to keep the denture stable. As you gain confidence, you can gradually add more variety to your meals. Speaking might feel a little odd too. Practice reading out loud or talking to yourself at home, and you'll be speaking normally in no time.
If you notice sore spots or areas of irritation, come see us. A small adjustment can make a big difference in your comfort. Don't try to tough it out or adjust them yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dentures
Most people adjust to their new dentures within a few weeks, though it can take up to a month or so to feel completely natural. Your muscles, tongue, and cheeks need time to learn how to hold the dentures in place. The more you wear them, the faster you'll adapt. We're here to help with adjustments along the way.
Yes, but it takes a little practice. Start with soft foods and work your way up as you get more comfortable. Most denture wearers can enjoy a wide variety of foods. Very hard, sticky, or chewy foods may always require some caution. Implant-supported dentures offer significantly better biting force, making it easier to eat foods like apples, steak, and corn on the cob.
With proper care, a well-made set of dentures typically lasts five to eight years, and potentially much longer, before needing to be replaced. Over time, the shape of your jawbone and gums changes, which can affect the fit. You may need periodic relines or adjustments to keep them fitting comfortably. We'll monitor the fit at your regular checkups.
Traditional dentures sit on your gums and are held in place by suction or adhesive. Implant-supported dentures snap onto small titanium posts that are surgically placed in your jawbone. The result is a much more stable, secure fit with stronger biting force. Implant-supported dentures also help preserve your jawbone, while traditional dentures can allow the bone to gradually shrink over time.
We generally recommend removing your dentures at night to give your gums and jawbone a chance to rest and recover. Wearing dentures 24/7 can lead to gum irritation, increased bacteria growth, and even bone loss. Take them out, clean them, and soak them overnight. Your mouth will thank you in the morning.
Ready to Explore Your Denture Options?
Whether you need full dentures, partials, or want to learn about implant-supported options, we'll help you find the right fit. Schedule a consultation today.