Dentures replace missing teeth so you can eat and talk comfortably again. A full denture replaces all the teeth in the upper or lower jaw. A partial fills in the gaps, and your remaining teeth stay where they are. All 30 Dr. Dental offices make both, we accept MassHealth and HUSKY for them, and we also do the repairs, relines and adjustments every denture needs sooner or later.
Full dentures, partial dentures and immediate dentures
Full (complete) dentures rest on the gums and, for the upper, on the roof of the mouth. They’re for patients who have lost or are losing all the teeth in a jaw. An upper denture is held in place by suction. A lower one depends more on your tongue and cheek muscles, so it takes longer to get used to.
Partial dentures replace some teeth. They have a gum-colored base with replacement teeth, held in place by clasps around your natural teeth or a metal framework. A partial keeps your other teeth from drifting into the gap and spreads chewing force across the jaw.
Immediate dentures are made before the teeth are extracted and placed the same day the teeth come out, so you’re never without teeth. They need relining a few months later as the gums heal and shrink. Conventional dentures are made after the gums have healed, which takes six to eight weeks, and fit better from the start. Your dentist will go over which one makes sense for you and your coverage. For example, MassHealth covers conventional dentures for adults but not immediate dentures.
How dentures are made
It takes four or five visits over a few weeks. First, an exam and x-rays, and any extractions or treatment of remaining teeth. Then impressions of your gums and jaw. At the next visit, a wax model is tried in to set the bite, the position of the teeth and the shade, and this is where you tell us what you want the teeth to look like. A final try-in confirms fit and appearance, and the finished denture is delivered. We’ll see you again a week or two later to smooth any sore spots.
Getting used to dentures
The first two weeks are the hardest. Expect extra saliva, a feeling of fullness, some sore spots and a little difficulty with certain sounds. Start with soft foods cut small, chew on both sides at once, and read aloud for a few minutes a day to retrain your speech. Sore spots won’t go away on their own. Come in and we’ll adjust the denture. It doesn’t take long. By a month in, most people eat and talk without thinking about it.
Caring for dentures
Take them out at night so your gums can rest, and keep them in water or denture solution so they don’t dry out and warp. Brush them every day with a denture brush, but skip regular toothpaste because it scratches the surface. Brush your gums, tongue and any remaining teeth too. And don’t skip your yearly checkup. Gums and bone change over time, and a denture that fit fine two years ago can loosen and start rubbing and causing sores. A reline refits the denture to your current gums and is far cheaper than a new one.
Repairs and relines
Dentures crack and teeth chip off. Clasps bend, too. Please don’t glue them yourself. Household glue is toxic, and it makes a proper repair harder. Bring the pieces in instead. Many repairs can be done the same day or the next. Every few years you’ll also need a reline, where the fitting surface is rebuilt to match your gums. That’s a normal part of wearing a denture. MassHealth covers denture repairs for adults even after the yearly limit is used up, and HUSKY covers repairs and relines for adults and children.
Denture cost and insurance coverage
The price depends on the type (full, partial, immediate), the materials, and whether extractions are needed first. Your written treatment plan will show each item.
Insurance: Most dental plans cover dentures as a major service at about 50%, often once every five to seven years. MassHealth covers full and partial dentures for adults and children at all 15 of our Massachusetts offices, and a first set of full dentures after extractions is covered for adults even if the $1,750 yearly limit has been reached. HUSKY covers full and partial dentures at all 10 Connecticut offices once every seven years with prior approval, and complete dentures approved by CTDHP can exceed the adult $1,000 limit. See our insurance pages for Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire and New Jersey.
No insurance: You can pay for dentures over time with one of our monthly payment plans. The $25 look-and-see visit on the specials page gets you an exam, x-rays and a written price.
Alternatives to dentures
If you’re missing one or a few teeth, a bridge or a dental implant may be a better long-term option, since neither comes out and both preserve the bone better than a partial. If you already wear a full denture and it won’t stay put, implants can be used to anchor it. They cost more and aren’t covered by MassHealth or HUSKY, but ask about them at your exam.
Common questions about dentures
How long does it take to get dentures?
Four or five visits over three to six weeks once the gums are ready. If teeth need to come out first, add six to eight weeks of healing for conventional dentures, or ask about immediate dentures.
Does MassHealth cover dentures?
Yes. MassHealth covers full and partial dentures for adults and children at every Dr. Dental office in Massachusetts. Immediate dentures are not covered for adults. A first set of full dentures after extractions, and denture repairs, are covered even after the adult yearly limit is reached.
Does HUSKY cover dentures?
Yes, for adults and children, once every seven years, with prior approval. Repairs and relines are covered too. All 10 Dr. Dental offices in Connecticut accept HUSKY.
Can you repair my denture the same day?
Often, yes, for simple breaks and chipped teeth. Call the office first and bring all the pieces.
How long do dentures last?
Five to ten years with relines along the way. Your gums and jawbone change shape over time, so even a well-made denture eventually needs refitting or replacing.
Do you make dentures for patients with no remaining teeth?
Yes. Full upper and lower dentures are made at every office.
If you’re thinking about dentures, or the ones you have need work, give any Dr. Dental office a call or book a visit online. This page is also available en español.
