A 75-year specialty
Dentures, fit the right way.
The difference between a denture that works and one that’s actually comfortable comes down to the time taken in fitting it. This office has been fitting dentures for western Augusta County families since 1950.
Removable prosthodontics — full and partial dentures — is one of the oldest services in this office. Patients in their fifties get their first set here. Patients in their eighties come in for a replacement after twenty years of wear. Many of our denture patients have been with the office through two or three sets, and what they tell us, consistently, is that the fit makes everything.
Full dentures
A full denture replaces all of the teeth in either the upper or lower jaw. Modern dentures are made from acrylic and high-quality denture teeth, color-matched to look natural and shaped to fit the contours of your mouth. The fitting process takes several visits — impressions, a wax try-in where you can see and adjust the shape and tooth position, a bite registration, and the final fit. We don’t rush any step.
Once delivered, we expect to see you a few times over the next month for small adjustments. Pressure spots get smoothed out, the bite is fine-tuned, and any sore areas resolve quickly. By the end of that adjustment period, most patients are eating and speaking confidently.
Partial dentures
A partial denture replaces some missing teeth while preserving the healthy natural teeth that remain. It clasps onto the existing teeth for stability and is removed at night for cleaning. Partials are an excellent option when you have several missing teeth but the remaining ones are healthy enough to anchor the prosthesis. We’ll discuss the materials and clasp designs that best fit your situation.
Common denture problems — and how we fix them
A denture that no longer fits well isn’t a sign of bad work; it’s usually a sign that the underlying bone has receded over time. That’s a normal process. The fix is a reline (adding a new fitting surface to the inside of the denture) or a rebase (making a new base for the existing teeth). Both can dramatically restore the comfort and stay-in-place of a denture that’s started to slip.
Sore spots, chewing imbalance, whistled speech sounds, and over-reliance on adhesive are all signs the fit is off. None of them require living with discomfort. Bring your denture in and we’ll figure out what it needs.
Implant-supported alternatives
For patients who’ve struggled with traditional dentures, or who want the closest possible feel to natural teeth, implant-supported dentures are worth considering. Two to four implants are placed in the jawbone, and the denture snaps onto them — staying firmly in place and restoring far more chewing strength than a traditional denture. The cost is higher up front; for many patients, the quality-of-life improvement is significant.
Dr. Agrawal will discuss whether implant-supported dentures make sense for your jaw health, your goals, and your budget. There’s no one right answer.
What makes this office different
Seventy-five years of fitting dentures has taught us something that volume-driven offices can’t replicate: patient-pace fitting matters more than anything. We don’t deliver a denture and send you out the door. We see you back for adjustments as often as you need them, until the denture is genuinely comfortable. That’s the difference between a denture you live with and one you forget you’re wearing.
Frequently asked
Dentures — common questions.
How long does it take to get used to dentures?
Two to six weeks for most patients. Your mouth needs time to adapt to the new shape, the saliva flow adjusts, and you learn the small movements that hold the denture in place when you talk and eat. We expect to see you a couple of times in those first weeks to fine-tune the fit — adjustments at this stage are normal and make a big difference in long-term comfort.
Will I be able to eat normally?
Eventually, yes — but start with soft foods cut into small pieces for the first week or two. Once you're confident, you can return to most of what you ate before. A few tough or sticky foods (steak, certain breads, sticky candy) may always be a bit different, and many denture-wearers cut those foods up before chewing. Implant-supported dentures restore even more chewing strength if that matters to you.
Why does my old denture not fit anymore?
Bone shrinks slowly under any denture — that's normal and happens to everyone. A denture that fit well five years ago will often feel loose today because the underlying bone has receded. The denture can usually be relined (a new fitting surface added to the inside) or rebased (a new base made for the existing teeth) to restore the fit. We can tell you which one your denture needs at an exam.
Do I need adhesive?
A well-fitting denture shouldn't require adhesive to stay in place. Some patients use a small amount for extra security with certain foods, which is fine. If you're relying on adhesive to keep the denture in at all, the fit has shifted and needs adjustment.
What about implant-supported dentures?
These are dentures that snap onto two to four dental implants placed in the jawbone. They stay firmly in place, restore much more chewing strength than traditional dentures, and most patients find them substantially more comfortable. They cost more up front but, for many patients, are worth discussing — particularly if your traditional denture has never felt quite right.
How do I clean my dentures?
Remove them at night and soak in a denture cleaner overnight. Brush them gently each morning with a soft brush and denture paste (not regular toothpaste — it's too abrasive). Rinse before reinserting. Clean your gums and any remaining natural teeth carefully. Bring your dentures to your regular cleaning visits so we can inspect them.
Can I sleep in my dentures?
We generally recommend against it. Your gums need rest from the constant pressure, and the dentures need to soak — both stay healthier with the overnight break. Some patients sleep with them in for short periods (such as when a partner is staying over), which is fine occasionally. Just not every night.
What if I've never had dentures before?
Most first-time denture patients are nervous, and that's normal. We walk you through every step — the impressions, the wax try-in, the bite registration, the final fitting — and adjust the fit and appearance until you're happy. Patients who go through this carefully tend to do well long-term. Patients whose dentures were rushed or poorly fit tend to struggle for years. That's why we don't rush.
Talk with Dr. Agrawal about dentures.
Whether you’re starting fresh or your current set needs work, an unhurried consult is the right first step.