How do I know if I’m a good candidate for dentures?

Candidates for dentures typically have significant tooth loss, but it’s essential to consult with a dentist who will evaluate your oral health, jawbone structure, and personal preferences to determine the best solution.

What’s the difference between traditional and implant-supported dentures?

Traditional dentures rest on the gums, relying on suction or adhesives for stability. Implant-supported dentures are anchored to dental implants, providing a secure fit and enhanced chewing ability.

How long does the process of getting dentures take?

The timeline depends on the type of dentures and whether extractions or healing are necessary. Traditional dentures may take several weeks, while implant-supported options might require several months for complete placement.

Can I eat normally with dentures?

With practice, most people adapt to eating with dentures. Initially, you may need to stick to softer foods and gradually reintroduce firmer items as you adjust.

How do I clean my dentures?

Clean your dentures daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush or a denture-specific brush and a non-abrasive cleaner. Soaking them overnight in a denture solution helps maintain their shape and cleanliness.

How long do dentures last?

Dentures typically last 5–10 years with proper care. Over time, they may need adjustments, relining, or replacement due to changes in your oral anatomy or wear and tear.

Will dentures affect the way I speak?

It’s common to experience slight speech changes when adjusting to dentures. Practice speaking out loud to become more comfortable and improve pronunciation.

What should I do if my dentures don’t fit properly?

Poorly fitting dentures can cause discomfort or sores. Visit your dentist for adjustments or relining to improve the fit and ensure they function correctly.

Dentures in Washington, PA

Whether you're missing a few teeth or need a full arch replacement, Dr. Wakim offers the full range of denture options — traditional, flexible partial, and implant-supported — and will help you choose the solution that fits your anatomy, lifestyle, and long-term goals.

Book a Free Consult 📞 (724) 225-5070

620 N Main St, Washington, PA 15301 — Serving Washington, Canonsburg, Peters Township & surrounding areas

Full, Partial & Implant-Supported

Flexible (Flexi) Partials Available

In-House Fabrication for Many Cases

500+ 5-Star Reviews

Replacing Missing Teeth — Your Options Explained

Missing teeth affect more than your smile. They change how you chew, how you speak, how your remaining teeth sit in your jaw, and over time, how your face looks as the bone beneath missing teeth resorbs. The sooner missing teeth are addressed, the better the long-term outcome — both functionally and aesthetically.

Dentures remain one of the most practical and accessible options for patients missing multiple or all teeth. Modern dentures are a far cry from the ill-fitting, obvious prosthetics of previous generations — today's dentures are custom-fabricated to fit your unique anatomy, match your natural appearance, and restore comfortable function. And when combined with dental implants, they can perform almost identically to natural teeth.

Dr. Wakim will walk you through every option at your consultation — including when a denture is genuinely the right choice and when an implant-supported solution would serve you better long-term.

An Honest Note on Dentures vs. Implants

If dental implants are an option for you, they're almost always the better long-term choice — they prevent bone loss, don't require removal, and function like natural teeth. Dentures are the right solution when implants aren't indicated, when the patient prefers a removable option, or when cost or health factors make implants impractical. Dr. Wakim will give you her honest recommendation, not the option that generates more revenue.

Types of Dentures We Offer

Enhanced Wellness offers every major denture type, fitted and customized to your anatomy. Here's an honest overview of each option.

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Full Arch

Complete (Full) Dentures

Replace an entire arch of teeth — upper, lower, or both. Fabricated from detailed impressions and custom-shaded to match your natural appearance. Rest on the gum tissue and are held in place by suction and, if desired, denture adhesive. Conventional dentures are made after all teeth have been extracted and the gums have healed.

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Immediate Option

Immediate Dentures

Made in advance and placed the same day remaining teeth are extracted — so you're never without teeth. They require more adjustments as the gums heal and reshape over the following months, but eliminate the gap period that conventional dentures require. Often used as a transitional solution before a permanent denture is fitted.

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Partial Replacement

Traditional Partial Dentures

For patients missing some but not all teeth. A framework — typically cast metal — attaches to remaining natural teeth via clasps, with artificial teeth filling the gaps. Removable and effective. The metal clasps are visible in some locations, which some patients find cosmetically acceptable and others don't.

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Most Comfortable Partial

Flexible (Flexi) Partial Dentures

Made from a soft, thermoplastic nylon material rather than rigid acrylic or metal. Extremely comfortable, lightweight, and virtually invisible — the gum-colored base blends naturally and there are no metal clasps. Ideal for patients who can't tolerate rigid partials, who have allergies to acrylic, or who prioritize comfort and aesthetics over cost.

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Most Stable & Natural

Implant-Supported Dentures

Two or more implants anchor the denture, eliminating the slipping, adhesive reliance, and discomfort of conventional dentures. Implant-supported dentures prevent jawbone loss (which conventional dentures allow to continue), restore nearly full biting force, and stay in place securely during eating and speaking. Available as snap-on/removable (overdentures) or fixed (All-on-4 / All-on-X).

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Transitional

Temporary Dentures

Interim prosthetics used during healing phases — for example, while implants are integrating, or while a permanent denture is being fabricated. Not designed for long-term use, but allow patients to maintain appearance and basic function throughout the treatment process.

How Denture Options Compare

Choosing between denture types depends on how many teeth are missing, whether implants are possible, your priorities around comfort vs. cost, and how much maintenance you're willing to manage. Here's an honest side-by-side.

Factor	Complete Denture	Flexi Partial	Implant-Supported
Prevents bone loss	✗ No	✗ No	✓ Yes — implants stimulate bone
Stays in place while eating	Partially — can shift	✓ Yes	✓ Yes — firmly anchored
Removable for cleaning	✓ Yes	✓ Yes	Depends on type (overdenture = yes; fixed = no)
Metal clasps visible	N/A	✓ None — gum-colored	✓ None
Requires adhesive	Sometimes	✗ No	✗ No
Restores biting force	~25% of natural	~40% of natural	~80–90% of natural
Upfront cost	Lower	Moderate	Higher
Long-term value	Requires relines/replacement	Moderate — durable material	Best — implants are permanent

The Denture Process at Enhanced Wellness

The exact timeline depends on which type of denture you're getting and whether extractions are needed first. Here's a general overview of how the process works for a conventional complete denture.

Consultation & Treatment Planning

Dr. Wakim examines your mouth, reviews your dental history, takes X-rays, and discusses which denture option best fits your anatomy and goals. She'll be honest about the tradeoffs between options and give you a full cost breakdown before you commit to anything.

1 appointment

Extractions (If Needed)

If any remaining teeth need to be removed before the denture can be fitted, these are scheduled and completed. For conventional dentures, healing time of 6–8 weeks is typically needed before impressions can be taken. For immediate dentures, impressions are taken beforehand so the denture is ready on extraction day.

Healing: 6–8 weeks for conventional

Impressions & Bite Registration

Detailed impressions of your gum tissue and jaw are taken — along with a bite registration that records the natural relationship between your upper and lower jaws. These are used to fabricate a denture that fits your specific anatomy and bite, not a generic shape.

1–2 appointments

Try-In & Shade Selection

A wax try-in version of your denture is evaluated for fit, bite, tooth position, and appearance before the final version is fabricated. You'll see exactly how your denture will look and feel before anything is finalized. Tooth shade and shape are selected to achieve a natural result that suits your face.

1 appointment

Delivery & Adjustments

Your finished denture is delivered and fitted. Dr. Wakim makes any bite adjustments needed and reviews care and insertion/removal technique with you. Follow-up adjustment appointments are normal and expected — most patients need 1–3 adjustments in the first few weeks as the denture settles and the gums continue to heal.

1 appointment + follow-ups

You may be a good candidate for dentures if you:

Are missing most or all teeth in an arch
Have teeth that are too damaged to restore
Want a non-surgical tooth replacement option
Are not a candidate for implants due to bone loss or health factors
Need a faster or more affordable solution than implants
Are missing several adjacent teeth (partial denture)
Have tried traditional partials but found them uncomfortable
Want to explore implant-supported options for better stability

How Much Do Dentures Cost in Washington, PA?

Cost varies by denture type, complexity, and whether extractions or implants are involved. Here's an honest ballpark — the only accurate quote is one based on your specific case.

Complete Denture (per arch)

$1,500–$3,500

Immediate dentures typically cost more than conventional due to additional appointments and adjustments

Partial Denture

$900–$2,500

Flexi partials typically cost slightly more than traditional metal framework partials

Implant-Supported Overdenture

$4,000–$12,000

2–4 implants per arch; includes implants, abutments, and the denture itself

Insurance Coverage

50–80%

Most plans cover dentures at 50–80% after deductible, up to annual maximum. Implants may have more limited coverage

We'll review your specific insurance benefits before your consultation and provide a clear cost breakdown for each option before you make any decisions. Financing options are also available — ask at your appointment.

Trusted Denture Care in Washington, PA

Dr. Elizabeth Wakim has been fitting dentures and restorative prosthetics in Washington, PA for over 15 years. Her approach is straightforward — she'll tell you which option makes the most sense for your specific situation, explain the tradeoffs honestly, and build a plan that fits your life and your budget. You'll never feel pressured or left without clear answers.

★★★★★

500+

5-Star Google Reviews

15+

Years Serving Washington, PA

30K+

Procedures Completed

Denture Questions We Hear Most

Traditional acrylic dentures typically last 7–10 years before replacement is recommended. However, because the jawbone gradually changes shape after teeth are lost, dentures often need relining or rebasing every 3–5 years to maintain a proper fit — even before full replacement is needed. A poorly fitting denture causes sore spots, difficulty eating, and accelerates bone resorption, so keeping up with adjustments matters. Implant-supported dentures last longer because the implants preserve bone and the denture doesn't bear the same mechanical forces.

Modern dentures can look very natural — particularly when fabricated by a dentist who takes the time to select the right tooth size, shape, and shade for your face, and who ensures the bite and jaw position are correct. The "denture look" people associate with older generations comes from poorly fitted prosthetics that don't account for facial structure and bite. At Enhanced Wellness, we take multiple appointments to fine-tune the appearance before your final denture is made — including a wax try-in where you approve the look before fabrication.

A traditional partial denture has a rigid cast metal framework with acrylic teeth and metal clasps that hook onto remaining teeth. It's durable and effective, but the metal clasps are often visible when you smile or talk, and some patients find the rigid material uncomfortable. A flexi partial is made from a soft, flexible thermoplastic nylon material that's lightweight, virtually invisible (the gum-colored base blends with your tissue), and has no metal clasps. Most patients find flexi partials significantly more comfortable, though they're typically slightly more expensive. Dr. Wakim will help you decide which is right for your specific case.

With conventional dentures, most patients can eat a wide range of foods comfortably — though very hard, sticky, or tough foods can dislodge or damage them. Biting force is significantly reduced compared to natural teeth (roughly 25% for full dentures). With implant-supported dentures, biting force is dramatically improved — around 80–90% of natural — and you can generally eat almost anything you'd eat with natural teeth. There's always an adjustment period with new dentures during which soft foods are recommended while you adapt to the new prosthetic.

No — it's recommended to remove conventional dentures overnight. Removing them gives the gum tissue a chance to rest and recover from the pressure of the denture throughout the day, and reduces the risk of fungal infection (denture stomatitis). Store your dentures in water or a denture-soaking solution while you sleep. Implant-supported fixed dentures are a different situation — because they're not removable in the same way, specific hygiene protocols apply which Dr. Wakim will walk you through.

Not necessarily — but bone loss is the key variable. Conventional dentures don't prevent the jawbone from resorbing over time, so long-term denture wearers often have significantly less bone than they started with. This can make implant placement more challenging or require bone grafting first. The answer depends on how much bone remains, which requires a 3D cone beam scan to assess accurately. Dr. Wakim will review imaging at your consultation and give you an honest answer about whether implants are feasible, what preparatory steps might be needed, and whether the investment makes sense for your situation.

Not Sure Which Option Is Right for You?

That's exactly what a consultation is for. Dr. Wakim will assess your situation, explain your options honestly, and give you a cost breakdown for each — so you can make an informed decision without pressure.

Book a Free Consult Call (724) 225-5070

Enhanced Wellness · 620 N Main St, Washington, PA 15301