Dentures are removable replacement teeth, nonsurgically fitted to your mouth regardless of the amount of jawbone present. In contrast, dental implants are permanent replacement teeth surgically implanted into the bone.

To place dental implants, the dentist or prosthodontist first removes a damaged root. They then drill a hole in the bone for a titanium post. Once bone grows around the post, an abutment (extension) and crown (the artificial tooth) go on top of it.

Sometimes, implant-supported dentures—an appliance replacing many teeth at once and attached directly to the jawbone by implants—are appropriate. Only a dentist or prosthodontist can remove these.

Dentures can:

• Correct mild malocclusions, letting you speak clearly and eat normally.
• Close gaps between your teeth where food can lodge and bacteria can form.
• Restore your smile’s appearance, giving you greater comfort and confidence.

Your student doctor will:

• Extract any teeth that need removing.
• Make measurements and a mold (impression) of your remaining teeth.
• Order your dentures from the dental lab, where technicians will use the mold to create them.
• Fit them to your mouth, making adjustments once they are ready.

Care instructions can vary depending on whether your dentures are full or partial, and removable or implant-supported. Your student doctor will give you specific instructions.Basic care instructions for removable dentures include:

• Remove and rinse them after eating, handling them carefully.
• Clean your mouth after removing them.
• Brush them daily.
• Soak them overnight in water or a mild denture-soaking solution.

Basic care instructions for implant-supported dentures include:

• Brush them regularly.
• Remove all detachable elements and clean around attachments, artificial teeth, and gum areas.
• Remove them at night.

All patients need to schedule and keep regular dental appointments to catch and correct problems early, and to promote their optimal oral health.

Because PDM is a teaching clinic of a dental school that does dentures, you can expect to find affordable dentures. Our prices are 50%-70% less, on average, than private practices’ fees.

We accept direct payments from most dental insurance plans, including all Medicaid plans offered to Southeastern Pennsylvania residents. We also work with qualifying patients to arrange no- and low-interest, fixed-rate payment plans.

Schedule your appointment online now, or call us at 215-898-8965. At your initial consultation, we’ll discuss options with you and guide you through the next steps.