Full & Partial Dentures

There is no single price for dentures, because the total hinges on the type (partial vs. full), the materials chosen, and whether extractions or other procedures have to come first. A basic set costs less than premium dentures made with lifelike, higher-grade materials, and any groundwork your mouth needs adds to the plan.

At your consultation we provide a detailed estimate before treatment begins, so you know what to expect. We accept most dental insurance plans, which often cover a meaningful share of dentures, and we offer financing options to keep dentures affordable at any of our Orland Park, Frankfort, and Oak Lawn offices.

Yes, once you are through a short adjustment period. In the first days your mouth is learning to control a new appliance, so ease in with soft foods cut into small pieces and gradually move toward firmer items as your confidence grows. Most patients are eating comfortably with dentures within a few weeks.

A few habits make the transition smoother: chew evenly on both sides to keep the denture stable, take smaller bites, and stay away from very sticky or extremely hard foods that can dislodge or damage it. If you would like even more stability for eating, implant-supported dentures hold far more securely and let many patients return to nearly any food they enjoy.

For a short while, yes. New dentures take up a little space your tongue is not used to, so certain words, especially those with s and th sounds, may feel or sound different at first. This is completely normal and temporary.

Reading aloud and speaking slowly at first helps most patients adapt quickly, usually within a week or two, as the muscles of your mouth learn the new positioning. If a denture clicks or slips while you talk after the adjustment period, that often points to fit rather than practice, and a simple adjustment to your dentures can resolve it.

Cared for properly, dentures typically go 5–10 years before needing replacement. The dentures themselves are durable, but they sit on gums and bone that keep changing shape over the years, which is the main reason a set that once fit snugly eventually loosens.

That is why relining or adjustments may be needed sooner than a full replacement: refitting the base to your current ridge restores a secure fit without remaking the whole denture. Regular dental visits help keep the fit right in the meantime, catching pressure points and looseness early so your dentures stay comfortable and functional for as long as possible.

Taking dentures out at night is generally the advice. Wearing them around the clock keeps constant pressure on your gums and the bone underneath, and giving those tissues a nightly rest helps them stay healthy. Removing your dentures also cuts down on the bacteria and fungal buildup that round-the-clock wear can encourage.

The overnight hours are also the ideal time to soak your dentures in water or a denture solution, which keeps them from drying out and warping and holds their shape for a proper fit in the morning. That said, our doctors will advise you based on your specific situation, since there are exceptions, such as right after immediate dentures are placed, when keeping them in for a stretch is part of the plan.

Traditional dentures sit on your gums, held in place by natural suction or, for partials, by clasps that grip your remaining teeth. They are a proven, affordable way to replace missing teeth, and for many patients they work very well.

Implant-supported dentures instead snap onto dental implants anchored in your jawbone, which adds significantly more stability, better chewing power, and reduced bone loss, since the implants stimulate the bone the way natural tooth roots once did. If stability is a concern, or if you are tired of adhesives and slipping, they make a great upgrade from traditional dentures, and our doctors can walk you through whether standard or implant-supported dentures fit your goals and budget.

If anything, dentures help restore your facial appearance rather than change it for the worse. When teeth go missing, the facial muscles lose their support and begin to sag, which can give the mouth a sunken look and make you appear older than you are.

Well-fitting dentures fill out your cheeks and lips, lending the kind of support that mimics natural teeth and bringing back a more youthful, balanced profile. The key is that they fit well: as the jaw continues to change shape over the years, periodic relines keep your dentures supporting your face the way they did on day one.

Yes. Partial dentures are made exactly for people who still have healthy natural teeth, filling in the gaps while anchoring to the teeth you keep. Beyond restoring your smile and bite, they help hold your remaining teeth in place so they do not drift into the empty spaces over time.

If those remaining teeth are too damaged or unhealthy to serve as reliable anchors, our doctors may recommend extracting them and fitting full dentures instead, which can actually be the more comfortable and longer-lasting choice in that situation. The right answer depends on the condition of the teeth you have, and that is exactly what your evaluation is for.

Keeping dentures clean protects both the appliance and the health of your mouth, and a simple daily routine covers it:

• Brush them twice a day with a soft denture brush and denture cleaner, not regular toothpaste, which is too abrasive and can scratch the surface.
• Rinse them after meals to clear away food debris.
• Soak them overnight in water or a denture solution to hold their shape, then rinse again before putting them back in.
• Clean your gums, tongue, and palate daily as well to keep the soft tissues healthy.

Handle your dentures over a folded towel or a basin of water so an accidental drop is less likely to break them, and bring them to your regular checkups so they can be professionally cleaned and inspected. With this care, your dentures stay comfortable, fresh, and looking their best.