Missing teeth affect far more than your appearance — they affect how you eat, how you speak, and how you feel about your smile every day. At Hawkins Dentistry in Marysville, Ohio, Dr. Kent Hawkins provides custom full and partial dentures designed for comfort, natural appearance, and reliable function. We take the time to understand your specific needs and fit your dentures precisely, so that you can eat, speak, and smile with confidence. We serve patients from Marysville, Dublin, and Plain City, Ohio.
What Are Dentures?
Dentures are removable dental appliances that replace missing teeth and the surrounding gum tissue. They are custom-made to fit your mouth precisely and are designed to closely resemble natural teeth. Modern dentures are far more comfortable and natural-looking than the dentures of previous generations, and with proper care, they can last many years.
Full Dentures
Full dentures — also called complete dentures — replace an entire arch of missing teeth, either upper, lower, or both. They rest on the gum tissue and are held in place through natural suction or with the help of a denture adhesive. Full dentures are recommended when all or most teeth in an arch have been lost or need to be removed.
Conventional full dentures are placed after the gum tissue has healed following extractions — typically several weeks to months after tooth removal. Immediate dentures can be placed on the day of extraction so you are never without teeth, but they will need to be relined or replaced as the gums heal and reshape.
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures replace one or more missing teeth while preserving your remaining natural teeth. They typically attach to existing teeth using metal clasps or precision attachments and can be removed for cleaning. Partial dentures restore your ability to chew and speak clearly and prevent the surrounding natural teeth from shifting toward the gap left by missing teeth.
The Denture Fitting Process
Getting well-fitting dentures requires several careful appointments. Dr. Kent Hawkins begins with a thorough evaluation of your oral health and discusses your goals and preferences. Impressions and measurements of your mouth are taken to create a highly accurate model. A try-in fitting ensures the dentures fit correctly and look natural before the final version is made. After delivery, follow-up visits fine-tune the fit for maximum comfort.
Caring for Your Dentures
Dentures require daily cleaning to prevent bacterial buildup and maintain their appearance. Remove your dentures at night and soak them in a denture cleaner or plain water. Brush them daily with a soft-bristled brush and non-abrasive denture cleanser — never regular toothpaste, which can scratch the surface. Clean your gums, tongue, and palate daily as well. Continue attending regular checkups at Hawkins Dentistry so Dr. Kent Hawkins can evaluate the fit of your dentures and the health of your oral tissues.
Dentures and Dental Implants
For patients seeking a more stable, permanent solution, implant-supported dentures combine the coverage of a full denture with the stability of dental implants anchored in the jawbone. Unlike traditional dentures, implant-supported dentures do not slip during eating or speaking and help preserve jawbone density over time. Dr. Kent Hawkins can discuss whether implant-supported dentures are a good fit for your situation.
