Dentures & Partial Dentures in Beaverton, OR
Complete and partial dentures, planned carefully and adjusted patiently, so you can eat, speak and smile with confidence.
Who gets dentures, and why it is nothing to be embarrassed about
People come to dentures for many reasons: long-standing gum disease, decay, injury, or simply wanting to solve years of dental trouble in a planned way. Wearing dentures is more common than most people realize, and today’s versions look far more natural than the stiff, uniform sets many of us remember.
Dr. Gvozden has spent more than four decades in clinical dentistry, and he takes a patient, unhurried approach to getting the fit and the bite right. Rushing dentures is how you end up with sore spots.
Which type fits your situation?
Complete dentures
Replace all upper or lower teeth (or both). They rest on the gums and are held by suction, and often a little denture adhesive. Upper dentures usually hold better than lower ones, because the lower jaw has less surface and a moving tongue.
Partial dentures
Replace several missing teeth while keeping your natural ones. A framework and small clasps attach to healthy teeth. Good for people who are not ready to lose everything, or who want to protect a bite.
Implant-supported options
Dentures can also be anchored to a few dental implants to improve stability. This involves surgery and more cost and time, and not everyone is a candidate, but it is worth discussing.
Compared with other ways to replace teeth: a bridge needs healthy neighboring teeth to hold it, and implants need enough bone and good gum health. Dentures and partials are often the most accessible route when several teeth are missing.
The process from first visit to first smile
- Consultation. We talk about what bothers you, look at your teeth, gums and bone, and take X-rays. Tell us what you want to change and what you want to keep.
- Preparing the mouth. Teeth that cannot be saved may need extraction, and gum health is addressed first (see gum disease treatment).
- Impressions and measurements. These record the shape of your gums, your jaw relationship and how your teeth meet.
- Try-in. You preview tooth shape, size, shade and position, often in a wax version, before the final denture is made. This is the moment to ask for changes.
- Delivery and adjustments. We check the fit and bite and fine-tune. Follow-up visits for sore spots are a normal part of the process, not a sign that something went wrong.
Immediate dentures can be placed the day teeth are removed, so you are not without teeth during healing. They will likely need relining or replacement as gums shrink, which is why we discuss the trade-offs in advance.
Getting used to your new teeth
Expect an adjustment period of a few weeks. Speech can feel different at first, saliva may increase, and cheeks and tongue need time to learn where the denture sits.
Helpful early habits
- Start with soft foods cut into small pieces
- Chew on both sides at once to keep the denture steady
- Read aloud at home to practice tricky sounds
- Come back promptly for sore-spot adjustments
Daily care
- Rinse after eating and clean with a soft denture brush and non-abrasive cleanser
- Do not use hot water or bleach on them
- Take them out at night as your dentist advises, and store them in water or a cleaning solution
- Keep brushing your gums, tongue and any remaining teeth
Questions to bring to your consultation
A denture is a long-term partnership between you and your dentist, so it helps to arrive with a few questions in mind.
- Which teeth can be kept, and what would keeping them involve?
- Would a partial, a complete denture or an implant-supported option suit my bone and gums best?
- How many visits should I plan for, and will I have teeth at every stage?
- What will change as my gums heal, and when would a reline be expected?
- What are the costs of each option, and how might my dental benefits apply?
There are no silly questions here. If you have worn dentures before and disliked them, tell us exactly what bothered you, whether it was fit, looseness, appearance or taste. That feedback shapes the plan.
Repairs, relines and replacements
Dentures crack, teeth chip and fit drifts. Some fixes are quick and others need the lab. A reline resurfaces the inside so it hugs your gums again, a repair mends a crack or a broken tooth, and a new denture may be recommended when wear or changing bone makes adjustments no longer enough. Call at the first sign of a problem, and keep any broken pieces.
How long do dentures last?
Your jawbone and gums change over time, so even well-made dentures usually need relining or adjusting periodically, and eventually replacement. Regular checkups let us catch loose fit early, screen for sore spots and check the health of your mouth’s soft tissues.
A loose denture is more than an annoyance. Rubbing can cause irritation, and it makes eating and speaking harder. If yours has begun to slip, call us before trying store-bought fixes or home repairs, which can damage the denture.
Request an appointment Call (503) 822-0096
We welcome adults and families from Beaverton, Aloha, Hillsboro and beyond. We are happy to check your dental benefits before your visit and to talk through payment options; see insurance and financing or call (503) 822-0096.
Questions patients often ask
What is the difference between a partial denture and a bridge?
A partial denture is removable and clasps to natural teeth, while a bridge is cemented in place and needs healthy teeth on both sides of the gap. Which is better depends on your remaining teeth and gums.
Will people be able to tell I am wearing dentures?
Modern dentures are made to look natural, and tooth size, shape and shade are chosen with you at the try-in. Fit and bite matter as much as appearance.
Can I eat normally with dentures?
Most people return to a wide variety of foods with practice. Start soft, cut food small and chew on both sides. Very sticky or hard foods often stay a challenge.
Should I sleep with my dentures in?
Usually not. Giving your gums a rest overnight supports tissue health, and we will give you advice specific to your situation.
Why does my denture feel loose?
Gums and bone change shape after teeth are lost, so fit changes over time. A reline or adjustment often helps. Please do not attempt home repairs.
Are implants better than dentures?
Neither is better for everyone. Implants can offer stability but involve surgery, healing time and higher cost, and they require adequate bone. We will walk through both options.
Do dental plans cover dentures and partials?
Many plans cover part of the cost and may limit how often dentures are replaced. We look at your coverage, including Medicare plans with dental, and estimate your portion before we start. See our insurance and payment options page or call (503) 822-0096.
Ready to book your child’s visit?
Tell us a little about your family and we’ll reach out to find a time that works. New patients — kids, teens and adults — are welcome, and we accept almost all dental insurance and the Oregon Health Plan (OHP).