Indy (Downtown)

1103 East 10th Street
(317) 295-2211

Muncie

3701 North Everbrook Lane
(765) 216-1633

Terre Haute

321 Wabash Ave
(812) 917-2151
Dentures are a common treatment for replacing missing teeth. The replacement teeth consist of acrylic resin teeth that are set into a rigid acrylic base. Made from an impression of your mouth, dentures are designed to sit directly on your gums. The prosthesis uses this tissue for support. While dentures are made from impressions, there are some situations in which your mouth may not be able to effectively hold them properly in place.

Immediate Dentures

An immediate denture is a complete denture or partial denture inserted on the same day, immediately following the removal of natural teeth. There are several advantages of an immediate denture. The most important factor is that you will never need to appear in public without teeth. It is also easier to duplicate the shape, color and arrangement of your natural teeth while some are still present in your mouth. When an immediate denture is inserted at the time of extraction, it will act as a Band-Aid to protect the tissues and reduce bleeding. An immediate denture will allow you to establish your speech patterns early. You will not have to learn to speak without a denture in place and then later relearn to speak with a new denture. An immediate denture will also allow you to chew better than without any teeth and minimize facial distortion that may occur when teeth are removed.

Bone Smoothing and Reshaping

In some cases, teeth may need to be extracted before receiving dentures. When teeth are extracted, the bone could be left uneven and sharp. For your denture to fit properly, these uneven edges may need to be smoothed or reshaped in a procedure called alveoloplasty. The procedure is typically performed immediately following tooth extractions. The goal of the procedure is to prevent denture sore spots where the denture could rub the gums due to sharp bone under the denture base. An alveoloplasty may also be performed for those already wearing dentures, but their prosthesis is still uncomfortable.

Excess Bone Removal

There are some patients who have an excess of bone in their jaw. The amount of excess bone ranges from person to person, but it may need to be removed before taking impressions for dentures. For small pieces of excess bone, it may be possible to fabricate a denture around them. Moderate or large-sized sections of excess bone, however, need to be removed. Common types of excess bone that are removed include exostosis, or excess bone on the lip and cheek side, and lingual tori, or excess bone on the inside of the ridge of the lower jaw.

Implant Retained Dentures

Dentures are a popular option for patients missing several or all of their teeth, but traditional dentures are often uncomfortable and hard to use. Modern technology, however, has made it possible to support dentures with implants, boosting their functionality and comfort.


If you are looking for a stable, lasting solution for replacing multiple missing teeth, our oral surgeon may recommend implant-supported dentures. Implant-retained dentures are very similar in form to traditional dentures; however, they are stabilized by dental implants. Very often denture wearers complain that dentures become loose and “float” around the mouth, limiting their ability to eat and speak comfortably. Implant dentures are a cost-effective solution, and in many cases, we can actually retrofit an existing denture with implants.

The first step in anchoring your denture with dental implants is the placement of the implants. The dental implants, which are similar in appearance to screws, are surgically inserted into the jawbone in order to securely anchor your denture. While the specific number of implants required will depend on your individual needs, most cases require 4-6 dental implants per denture. Once the implants have been placed and allowed sufficient healing time, your denture is attached on top. This provides your denture with exceptional stability. In fact, many patients report that their implant-retained dentures feel and function more like their natural teeth.