Dentures are removable, custom-made prosthetic teeth that replace missing natural teeth and restore your ability to eat, speak, and smile normally. Nationally, 17.3% of adults 65 and older have no remaining natural teeth, and dentures remain one of the most common ways to replace them.
I’m Dr. Kotlarek, and at Roman Dental in West Houston, I fit patients with everything from a single partial to a full set, depending on how many teeth they’ve lost and how their gums and jawbone have held up.
Losing teeth changes more than your smile. It changes how you eat, how you speak, and how confident you feel in everyday situations. The longer someone waits after losing teeth, the more the jawbone underneath tends to shrink and shift, which can make fitting dentures more complex later on.
In this guide, I’ll cover the types of dentures I offer, how the fitting process works, what daily life with dentures looks like, and how to decide if they’re the right option for you.
Key Takeaways
- Dentures are removable prosthetic teeth that replace some or all of your natural teeth, held in place by a custom-fitted gum-colored base.
- There are four main types: conventional full, immediate, partial, and implant-supported, each suited to different amounts of tooth loss.
- Getting dentures is a multi-step process, from exam through final placement, that typically takes several weeks.
- Most patients adjust to eating and speaking with dentures within a few weeks.
- Daily rinsing, brushing, and overnight soaking are what keep dentures clean and comfortable long-term.
What Are Dentures Made Of?
Dentures are prosthetic teeth set into a gum-colored acrylic base that rests over your gums in place of the teeth you’ve lost. They’re one of the oldest, most well-established solutions in dentistry, and today’s dentures fit and look far more natural than the ones many people picture from older generations. The base is molded to the exact shape of your mouth so it stays in place throughout the day, and the artificial teeth are shaded and shaped to look proportional to your face and any remaining natural teeth.
There are two main categories: full dentures and partial dentures. Full dentures replace an entire arch, upper, lower, or both. Partial dentures fill in gaps when you still have healthy natural teeth remaining. Both are removable, so you take them out at night to clean them and let your gum tissue rest.
Which category and design fit you best comes down to how many teeth you’ve lost and the condition of your gums and jawbone, and I’ll walk through all of it with you at your first visit.
What Types of Dentures Does Roman Dental Offer?
I offer four main types of dentures at Roman Dental, and the right one depends on how many teeth you’ve lost, the health of your gums and jawbone, and your goals for comfort and appearance.
| Type | Who It’s For | Key Benefit |
| Conventional full dentures | Patients who’ve lost all teeth in one or both arches | Custom fit after gums have fully healed |
| Immediate dentures | Patients who want teeth placed the same day as extractions | No gap period without teeth |
| Partial dentures | Patients who still have healthy natural teeth | Preserves remaining teeth and fills gaps |
| Implant-supported dentures | Patients who want a more secure, stable fit | Anchored to dental implants for better hold |
Each option has a different timeline, cost, and set of candidacy requirements. I review all of these with you during your consultation at Roman Dental, so the decision fits your life, not just your mouth.
How Does the Denture Fitting Process Work at Roman Dental?
Getting dentures at Roman Dental is a multi-step process that typically takes several weeks from start to finish, and each step matters for a fit that holds up long-term.
- Initial exam: I assess the health of your gums, remaining teeth, and jawbone to determine which type of denture suits you best and whether any extractions are needed first.
- Impressions and measurements: I take detailed molds of your mouth so your dentures are shaped precisely to your gum line and jaw structure.
- Try-in appointment: Before your final dentures are made, you’ll try on a wax model so I can check the fit, bite, and appearance and make any adjustments.
- Final placement: Once your finished dentures are ready, I place them and walk you through care instructions, fit checks, and any minor adjustments needed for comfort.
- Follow-up visits: As your gums naturally change shape over the first few months, I may need to reline or adjust your dentures to maintain a good fit.
What Is Life with Dentures Really Like Day to Day?
Most patients adjust to dentures within a few weeks, though the first days feel unfamiliar as their mouths learn to work with them. Eating and speaking take some practice, especially with lower dentures, which tend to be less stable than upper ones because of the shape of the lower jaw. Soft foods are easiest at first, and most patients return to a wide variety of foods without much difficulty over time.
Studies show that denture treatment is consistently associated with improved oral-health-related quality of life for patients who’ve lost their teeth, particularly around eating and social confidence. Getting the fit right is what makes that difference, which is why I don’t rush the fitting process.
One thing I hear often from West Houston patients is that they’re surprised by how much better they feel day to day, not just about their appearance, but about being able to eat at a restaurant or speak clearly without self-consciousness again.
How Do You Care for Dentures?
Daily care keeps your dentures clean, prevents odor, and extends how long they last, and it’s simpler than most patients expect.
- Rinse after eating: Remove and rinse your dentures with water after meals to clear food particles before they settle in.
- Brush daily: Use a soft-bristled denture brush and a non-abrasive denture cleaner, not regular toothpaste, which can scratch the acrylic surface.
- Soak overnight: Keep your dentures in water or a denture solution while you sleep so they stay moist and hold their shape.
- Handle them carefully: Dentures can crack if dropped. Clean them over a folded towel or a basin of water as a cushion.
- Keep up with checkups: Even without natural teeth, regular visits let me check the fit, inspect your gum tissue, and screen for oral health issues.
Are Dentures the Right Choice for You?
Dentures are a reliable, well-tested solution for tooth loss, but they aren’t the only one. Dental implants, implant-supported bridges, and other restorative options may be worth exploring depending on your bone health, budget, and personal preferences. In my experience treating West Houston patients, the best outcomes happen when someone understands all their options before deciding.
If you’re still weighing it, think about how many teeth you’ve lost, whether bone loss is already a concern, and how much stability matters to you day to day. Patients who want something fixed in place, rather than removable, often find implant-supported options worth the investment. Patients who want a faster, more affordable path to a full smile often find that conventional dentures meet their needs well.
Ready to Schedule a Denture Consultation?
Dentures remain one of the most reliable ways to restore a functional, natural-looking smile after tooth loss, whether that means a full arch or a single partial. The right type for you comes down to how many teeth you’ve lost, the condition of your gums and jawbone, and how much stability you want day to day. That’s a decision worth taking your time on, not rushing into it.
If you’re ready to explore your denture options, call (281) 920-4200 or book online to schedule your consultation. I see patients throughout West Houston, including Katy, Memorial, and the Energy Corridor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are dentures made of?
The base of a denture is gum-colored acrylic resin, with artificial teeth made of acrylic or porcelain attached to it. Modern denture materials are designed to look natural and hold up well to daily use. I custom-shape the base from molds of your mouth so it matches your gum line as closely as possible.
How long do dentures last?
Most dentures last five to ten years with proper care, though your gums and jawbone continue to change over time, which means the fit may need adjusting before then. Regular checkups at Roman Dental help me catch fit changes early, so small adjustments happen before discomfort sets in.
Can I sleep with my dentures in?
I recommend removing your dentures at night for every patient. Sleeping with dentures in puts pressure on your gum tissue for too many hours, which can speed up bone loss over time. Soaking them overnight also helps the acrylic hold its shape and keeps them fresher.
Do dentures look natural?
Today’s dentures look far more natural than older versions. Modern materials and custom shaping mean your denture teeth are matched to your facial structure and skin tone. West Houston patients are often surprised by how natural their final result looks once the fit and shape are dialed in.
What is the difference between immediate dentures and conventional dentures?
Immediate dentures are placed the same day your remaining teeth are extracted, so you never go without teeth. Conventional dentures are made after your gums have healed, which typically takes several months. I find conventional dentures tend to fit better because they’re made once your gums have settled into their final shape.
How much do dentures cost in West Houston?
The cost of dentures in West Houston varies based on the type, materials, and whether extractions are needed beforehand. Partial dentures generally cost less than full dentures, and implant-supported dentures are the most involved investment. I walk through pricing and financing options with every patient during their consultation at Roman Dental, so there are no surprises.
Will dentures affect how I speak?
It’s common to notice some change in speech during the first few weeks with dentures, particularly with sounds like s and f. Most West Houston patients find their speech returns to normal as their tongue and lips adjust, and reading aloud at home can help speed that up. If speech issues persist, I check the fit, since poor fit is often the underlying cause of ongoing speech difficulty.
