Dentures in Southaven, MS, can restore your smile when several or all of your teeth are missing. Depending on your needs, our dentists may recommend complete dentures, partial dentures, immediate dentures or implant-supported and snap-in dentures.
Dr. M. A. Bleibel has completed more than 5,000 denture cases and has extensive training in dentures, prosthodontics and full-mouth rehabilitation. Our practice also has an on-site dental laboratory, allowing us to fabricate, adjust, repair and correct many dentures directly in our office.
Dentures Explained
Dentures are removable prosthetic teeth designed to replace missing teeth and restore function and appearance. They can help improve chewing, speech and facial support while giving patients a complete smile again.
Common denture options include:
- Complete Dentures: Replace all of the teeth in an upper or lower arch.
- Partial Dentures: Replace several missing teeth while healthy natural teeth remain.
- Immediate Dentures: Placed after extractions so patients can have replacement teeth during the healing period.
- Implant-Supported Or Snap-In Dentures: Removable dentures that connect to dental implants for greater stability and retention.
Our dentist will recommend an option based on the number of missing teeth, condition of the remaining teeth, gum and bone health and your goals for comfort, appearance and function.
How Dentures Can Help You
Well-designed dentures can improve several parts of everyday life after tooth loss.
They may help:
- Restore Chewing Function: Replacement teeth can make it easier to eat a wider variety of foods.
- Improve Speech: Replacing missing teeth can help support clearer pronunciation.
- Restore Your Smile: Denture teeth are selected and arranged to create a natural-looking appearance.
- Support Facial Features: Replacing missing teeth can help restore support around the lips and cheeks.
- Improve Confidence: A stable, comfortable denture can make smiling, speaking and eating feel more natural.
The amount of improvement depends on the type of denture, oral anatomy and how well the appliance fits.
Types Of Dentures
Different denture designs are available depending on how many teeth are missing and the type of support available.
Complete Dentures
Complete dentures replace all of the teeth in an upper or lower arch. They rest on the gums and are shaped to fit the contours of the mouth. Complete dentures may be made after the mouth has healed or planned as immediate dentures when teeth need to be removed.
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures replace several missing teeth while preserving healthy natural teeth that remain. Clasps or other components help support and stabilize the appliance. Patients who still have healthy teeth can learn more about partial dentures.
Immediate Dentures
Immediate dentures are designed before necessary extractions and placed after the teeth are removed. This allows patients to have replacement teeth during the healing period. Because the gums and bone change as they heal, adjustments or relines may be needed as the mouth changes. Our practice can provide same-day dentures when appropriate for the treatment plan.
Implant-Supported And Snap-In Dentures
Dental implants can provide additional support for a removable denture. Implant-supported dentures, often called snap-in dentures, connect to implants in the jaw and can reduce movement compared with a traditional denture. Patients interested in greater denture stability can learn more about implant-supported and snap-in dentures.
The Denture Process
The exact process depends on whether you are receiving a complete denture, immediate denture or another type of removable restoration. Treatment generally includes:
- Consultation And Evaluation: Our dentist examines your teeth, gums, bite and oral tissues and discusses the type of denture that may be appropriate.
- Extractions If Needed: Teeth that cannot be preserved may need to be removed before or during the denture process.
- Impressions Or Digital Records: Detailed records of the mouth are taken to help create an accurate fit.
- Bite Measurements: The relationship between the upper and lower jaws is recorded to help position the denture teeth properly.
- Tooth Selection: Tooth shade, shape and size are selected to complement your smile.
- Try-In: Depending on the treatment plan, a trial setup may be used to evaluate appearance, tooth position and bite before the denture is completed.
- Fabrication: Our dental lab creates the finished denture.
- Delivery And Adjustments: Our dentist checks the fit, bite and comfort and makes adjustments as needed.
- Follow-Up Care: Additional visits may be needed to relieve pressure areas or refine the fit as you adjust to the denture.
Our on-site lab allows our practice to coordinate many of these steps directly and can make certain adjustments or repairs without sending the denture to an outside laboratory.
What To Expect With New Dentures
Getting used to a new denture takes time. The appliance may initially feel larger or more noticeable than expected, and the cheeks, lips and tongue need time to adapt. During the adjustment period, you may notice:
- Mild pressure or sore areas.
- Temporary changes in speech.
- Increased saliva.
- Difficulty with certain foods at first.
- A different sensation when biting or chewing.
Starting with softer foods cut into smaller pieces can make eating easier. Chewing slowly on both sides of the mouth can also help stabilize the denture. Reading aloud can help you become accustomed to speaking with your new teeth.
If you develop a sore area or the denture feels uncomfortable, contact our practice rather than trying to adjust it yourself. Small professional adjustments can often make a significant difference in comfort.
Care And Maintenance
Regular cleaning helps keep dentures fresh and protects the tissues underneath them.
- Clean Dentures Daily: Brush gently with a soft denture brush and a non-abrasive denture cleanser.
- Rinse After Eating: Rinsing can help remove loose food and debris.
- Clean Your Mouth: Brush your gums, tongue and any remaining natural teeth every day.
- Handle Dentures Carefully: Clean them over a folded towel or a sink partly filled with water to reduce the risk of damage if dropped.
- Avoid Hot Water: Hot water can distort some denture materials.
- Store Them Properly: Follow our dental team's instructions for keeping your dentures moist when they are not being worn.
- Schedule Regular Checkups: Our dentists can evaluate the fit, oral tissues and condition of the denture over time.
The gums and jawbone naturally change after tooth loss, so dentures may eventually require adjustments, relines, repairs or replacement.
Denture Levels And Pricing
Our practice offers several denture levels so patients can choose an option based on appearance, durability and budget.
Premium — $1,999 Set / $999 Single Denture
- Strongest and most durable teeth.
- Most lifelike appearance.
- Highest level of stain resistance.
- 5-year warranty.
- Money-back guarantee.
Select — $1,498 Set / $749 Single Denture
- Stronger, more durable teeth.
- More lifelike appearance.
- Increased stain resistance.
- 3-year warranty.
- Money-back guarantee.
Standard — $1,100 Set / $549 Single Denture
- Durable replacement teeth.
- Natural-looking appearance.
- Increased stain resistance.
- 1-year warranty.
- Money-back guarantee.
Basic — $800 Set / $399 Single Denture
- Basic durability.
- Basic stain resistance.
- Most affordable denture level.
- Money-back guarantee.
Our team will explain the differences between each denture level and help you understand which option fits your needs and budget.
How Our On-Site Dental Lab Helps
Our practice has an on-site dental laboratory where we can fabricate, adjust, repair and correct many dentures without relying entirely on an outside laboratory. Keeping this work in-house can make communication between our dentists and lab team more direct and allows us to make certain adjustments more efficiently. It also allows our practice to offer certain same-day denture services when appropriate. If your denture needs an adjustment or repair, our team can evaluate the appliance and determine whether the work can be completed through our on-site dental laboratory.
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