Dentures in Palm Beach
Missing teeth affect more than your smile. They change how you chew a steak, how clearly you speak on a phone call, and how comfortable you feel laughing at dinner with friends. For many people in Palm Beach, dentures are a practical way to restore those everyday abilities without a long or complicated process. At Family Dental Care, our office in West Palm Beach makes it convenient for Palm Beach residents to get dentures planned, fitted, and maintained by a team that knows them.
Dentures are removable replacements for missing teeth and the surrounding gum tissue. We provide two main types, and the right choice depends on how many natural teeth you still have. Complete dentures replace all the teeth in the upper arch, the lower arch, or both. They rest on the gums and are designed for patients who have lost all their teeth in an arch, or who need the remaining teeth removed because they can't be saved.
Partial dentures fill gaps when some healthy natural teeth remain. A partial attaches to those teeth to hold it in place and keeps neighboring teeth from shifting into the open spaces. If you're missing several teeth on one side, or a few scattered teeth across the arch, a partial can restore function while preserving the teeth you still have. Put simply, complete dentures replace a full arch, and partial dentures work alongside your natural teeth.
Good candidates include adults who have lost several or all of their teeth to decay, gum disease, injury, or age, as well as people whose current teeth are failing and causing ongoing discomfort. Some Palm Beach patients come to us after years without replacing missing teeth. Others want to update an older denture that no longer fits well. We also repair and replace existing dentures, including ones made elsewhere.
Our team includes general and cosmetic dentists Dr. Michael Westcott and Dr. Sujay Trivedi, and our office also provides prosthodontic care. That lets us handle complex treatment planning when your case involves more than one concern, such as gum disease that needs treatment first. If you want a more secure fit, we also offer implant-supported dentures, including snap-in dentures, which attach to dental implants rather than resting only on the gums. We'll explain how each option fits your situation.
What to Expect From Consultation to Fitting
Your first visit starts with a thorough dental exam. We look at your remaining teeth, your gums, and the shape of your jaw, and we talk about how you eat, how you speak, and what bothers you most about your current smile. If any teeth need to come out, we perform both simple and surgical extractions in our office. Some patients also need bone grafting or gum disease treatment before their denture can be placed.
From there, we take the measurements needed to create a denture shaped for your mouth. Here's what the process typically includes:
- An exam and discussion of complete, partial, or implant-supported options
- Extractions or preparatory treatment, if needed
- Impressions and measurements of your gums and bite
- A fitting appointment to check comfort, appearance, and bite
- Follow-up visits for any adjustments
For patients who feel anxious about dental work, we offer oral sedation dentistry to help make extractions and other procedures easier to get through. You don't need a referral to schedule with us.
Caring for Your Dentures Over Time
Adjusting to dentures takes some practice. Speaking and chewing may feel different at first, so starting with softer foods and cutting food into smaller pieces can help. If you notice sore spots or a loose fit, let us know. Small adjustments are a normal part of getting dentures right.
For daily care, remove and clean your dentures as we instruct, and handle them carefully to avoid dropping them. If you have a partial denture, keep brushing and flossing your natural teeth, because their health supports the partial. Regular dental exams and cleanings remain important too. Your gums and jaw change over time, and we can check the fit, look for wear, and screen for oral cancer during routine visits. When a denture is damaged or worn, we can repair or replace it.
Insurance and Payment for Palm Beach Patients
We accept all major PPO insurance plans, and we welcome self-pay and cash patients. Our team can help you understand how your plan applies to dentures and any preparatory treatment, such as extractions, before work begins.
Because costs depend on the type of denture and the treatment involved, we'll review your options and the associated costs at your consultation, so you can choose with clear information. If you live in Palm Beach and are ready to talk about complete or partial dentures, contact Family Dental Care to schedule your visit.