Dentures are a type of restoration available for individuals who have lost a section of their teeth or all their teeth and need an alternative. We provide both complete and partial dentures at McHenry Smile Center. The exact style of denture you need will depend on how many teeth you have lost. Our office will provide more information on the process and denture maintenance when you come in.
Complete Denture Process
Complete dentures are made for individuals who no longer have any teeth. There are two types of complete dentures available. Both types require a dental mold prior to construction. This way, we can ensure that the dentures are custom-fitted to your mouth.
Immediate dentures are constructed prior to your appointment and are placed immediately following the extraction procedure. These are beneficial in that you do not have to wait for them to be made. However, they tend not to fit as well over time, since gum tissue shrinks as it heals. Conventional dentures generally take about eight to twelve weeks to construct. These are made after the extraction procedure and healing is complete.
Partial Denture Process
Partial dentures also require molds to be made prior to construction. There are two types of partial dentures that we can provide. Removable partial dentures can be held in place by clips that attach to natural teeth that remain beside the gap. Fixed partial dentures are permanently held in place by dental cement and implants. The implants are screw-like posts that are inserted into the jawbone. This process can take several months as your bone and gum will need to heal. Dental cement is used to seal the partial denture to the dental implant.
Denture Adhesives and Cleaning
In some cases, you may choose to use a denture adhesive rather than a permanent fixture or metal clips. Dentures provide stability and also enhance functioning. You should not use an adhesive if you have a negative reaction to the substance or it negatively affects how well you can clean your teeth and gums. Let us know immediately if you have any concerns or you notice that your dentures are not fitting correctly. We can adjust them as needed over time.
You can use either paste or powder adhesives. People do tend to prefer powder adhesives since they are cleaner and also keep the denture closer to the gum tissue.
Dentures must be washed every day. The gums are made of a plastic material which can warp in high heat. So, you will need to use soap and warm water only. In addition, you will need to store them in a denture cleaning solution or water to preserve them when they are not in your mouth.
Make sure you continue proper oral hygiene practices daily. Wipe off any denture adhesive from your gums when you are not wearing your dentures. This can cause bacteria build-up as well as tissue irritation. You can also use a mouthwash to clean it off your gums. Brush and floss your remaining natural teeth like you normally would without dentures. For additional information on dentures, call (815) 578-1000.
Dentures | McHenry Smile Center | Dentist McHenry, IL Restore your smile with comfortable, natural-looking dentures at McHenry Smile Center. Customized solutions for missing teeth. Book your consultation today! McHenry Smile Center - Dr. Michael Sturt, DDS, 5400 W Elm St, STE 212, McHenry, IL 60050 \ (815) 578-1000 \ mchenrysmilecenter.com \ 1/22/2026 \ Page Keywords: dentist McHenry IL \
Dentures are a type of restoration available for individuals who have lost a section of their teeth or all their teeth and need an alternative. We provide both complete and partial dentures at McHenry Smile Center. The exact style of denture you need will depend on how many teeth you have lost. Our office will provide more information on the process and denture maintenance when you come in.