Dentures in Yakima, WA
Full & Partial Dentures for Complete Smile Restoration
At Yakima Healthy Smiles, Dr. Ryan Kezele offers high-quality dentures to replace missing teeth. Whether you need full dentures or partial dentures, we create custom solutions that restore your smile, improve chewing ability, and boost your confidence.
What Are Dentures?
As you may know, dentures are removable substitutes for missing teeth. Full dentures provide value when a person is missing all of their natural teeth while partial dentures replace only individual missing teeth to eliminate gaps and improve chewing.
Denture treatment is customized specifically to each patient, and Dr. Kezele can help you decide which option works best for you at Yakima Healthy Smiles.
Full Dentures
Sometimes dental conditions, such as tooth decay or gum disease, can become unmanageable. This may lead to the decision to remove your remaining teeth on one or both jaws. Regardless of the case, full dentures are an economical and efficient way to restore your function and smile in Yakima.
What Full Dentures Look Like
A complete denture consists of a thin acrylic base that rests on the gum tissue and is the same color as your gums. Porcelain or acrylic replacement teeth built into the base give the appearance of natural teeth emerging from the gums.
We know that your smile is unique, and Dr. Kezele has the experience to help you select the teeth that appear most natural and harmonious in your smile. This gives you the option to customize the way you look, whether you want a "new" smile or just want to restore the one you had at Yakima Healthy Smiles.
Improved Full Dentures with Dental Implants
While dentures boast a long history of successful use, modern technology offers better options to enhance the way they fit and the way you look. In many cases, dentures can be secured more firmly to your jaw with the use of dental implants, placed in the jaw and connected under the base of the denture.
This connection can be designed to create permanent fixation of the denture or to allow for its removal at times. In addition to having greater retention and a more natural look, implant-supported dentures tend to last longer. Dr. Kezele can discuss these options and help you understand the ways they can improve your experience with dentures in Yakima.
Partial Dentures
Whether you've lost one tooth or many, chewing and smiling can become more difficult because of the gaps left behind. Partial dentures are an economical solution to replace the missing teeth and fill in the spaces, improving chewing ability and the confidence to smile.
A partial denture in place will also help keep your natural teeth from shifting, lowering the risk of losing those teeth in the future at Yakima Healthy Smiles.
How Partial Dentures Are Made
Most partial dentures contain a thin metal framework that is designed to rest close to your gums and allow for a smooth, non-bulky feel. The framework is supported by your natural teeth to provide a reliable, secure appliance that is easy to use.
Where teeth are missing, natural-looking replacement teeth are attached to the frame, and gum-colored acrylic is used to make the appliance blend with your mouth. Again, your mouth and your needs are unique, and Dr. Kezele works with skilled technicians to create a solution that is comfortable and esthetic in Yakima.
Implant-Supported Partial Dentures
With advances in technology, implants can also be used to support removable partial dentures, improving the fit while reducing the size of the appliance. Dentures inherently bring some challenges, especially to new wearers. Our goal is to minimize the everyday frustrations to the lowest level possible at Yakima Healthy Smiles.
Types of Dentures We Offer
Traditional Full Dentures
For: Patients missing all teeth in upper or lower jaw
- Removable acrylic base with artificial teeth
- Held in place by suction and oral muscles
- Most affordable option
- Requires periodic adjustments
- May need adhesive for better retention
Implant-Supported Full Dentures
For: Patients who want superior stability and retention
- Anchored to 2-6 dental implants
- Can be fixed (permanent) or removable (snap-on)
- More stable - no slipping or adhesive needed
- Better chewing ability
- Prevents bone loss
- Lasts longer than traditional dentures
Partial Dentures
For: Patients missing some (not all) teeth
- Fills in gaps where teeth are missing
- Metal or acrylic framework
- Clasps attach to remaining natural teeth
- Prevents remaining teeth from shifting
- Removable for cleaning
- Can be upgraded with implants for better fit
The Denture Process
Getting dentures typically involves several appointments over 4-6 weeks at Yakima Healthy Smiles:
- Consultation: Dr. Kezele examines your mouth, discusses options, and creates a treatment plan
- Impressions: Detailed molds are taken of your mouth to ensure a precise fit
- Bite Registration: We determine the proper relationship between your upper and lower jaws
- Try-In Appointment: You try the denture setup to check fit, appearance, and bite
- Final Delivery: Your completed denture is placed and adjusted for comfort
- Follow-Up Visits: We make any necessary adjustments as you adapt to your new denture
Adjusting to Your New Dentures
It's normal to need an adjustment period with new dentures. Most people adapt within a few weeks at Yakima Healthy Smiles:
- Start with soft foods and gradually introduce harder foods
- Cut food into small pieces and chew on both sides
- Practice speaking to get used to the feel
- Expect increased saliva production initially
- Some soreness is normal - contact us if it persists
- Follow-up adjustments help achieve optimal comfort
Caring for Your Dentures
Proper care keeps your dentures looking good and lasting longer in Yakima:
- Remove and rinse dentures after eating
- Brush daily with a soft denture brush and denture cleaner (not toothpaste)
- Soak dentures overnight in denture solution
- Rinse thoroughly before putting them back in
- Clean your gums, tongue, and palate with a soft brush daily
- Handle carefully - dentures can break if dropped
- Visit Dr. Kezele regularly for checkups and professional cleaning
When Dentures Need Adjustment or Replacement
Your mouth changes over time, and dentures need periodic updates:
- Relines: Every 1-2 years to improve fit as gums change
- Adjustments: Anytime dentures feel loose or cause sore spots
- Replacement: Every 5-10 years as dentures wear and mouth structure changes
Regular dental visits help Dr. Kezele monitor the fit and condition of your dentures, making adjustments before problems develop at Yakima Healthy Smiles.
Restore Your Smile with Confidence
We look forward to discussing your options to make your mouth full again and to give you back a confident, glowing smile! Whether you need full dentures, partial dentures, or are interested in the enhanced stability of implant-supported dentures, Dr. Kezele has the experience and technology to help.
Dentures FAQs - Yakima Healthy Smiles
What's the difference between full and partial dentures?
Full dentures replace all teeth in the upper or lower jaw, while partial dentures replace only some missing teeth. At Yakima Healthy Smiles, Dr. Kezele creates custom dentures tailored to your specific needs, whether you need to replace all your teeth or just fill in gaps.
How long does it take to get dentures?
The denture process typically takes 4-6 weeks and requires several appointments. At Yakima Healthy Smiles, Dr. Kezele takes impressions, determines proper bite, tries in the denture for fit and appearance, and makes final adjustments before delivery.
Will dentures look natural?
Yes! At Yakima Healthy Smiles, Dr. Kezele works with you to select denture teeth that look natural and harmonious with your facial features. You can choose to restore your original smile or create a new look. Modern dentures are highly realistic.
Can I eat normally with dentures?
Yes, though there's an adjustment period. At Yakima Healthy Smiles, we recommend starting with soft foods and gradually introducing harder foods. Implant-supported dentures provide better chewing ability than traditional dentures. Most people adapt within a few weeks.
How do I clean my dentures?
At Yakima Healthy Smiles, we recommend removing and rinsing dentures after eating, brushing daily with a soft denture brush and denture cleaner (not toothpaste), soaking overnight in denture solution, and rinsing before putting them back in your mouth.
What are implant-supported dentures?
Implant-supported dentures attach to dental implants placed in your jawbone, providing superior stability and retention. At Yakima Healthy Smiles, Dr. Kezele offers both fixed implant dentures (permanent) and removable implant-retained dentures (snap-on). They look better, fit better, and last longer than traditional dentures.