General & Cosmetic Dentistry
The office of Keith A. Kye, DDS, FAGD serves the neighborhoods of Huntersville, Lake Norman, Davidson and Cornelius.
Advances in dental materials and laboratory techniques have made modern dentures more comfortable, lifelike, and durable than ever. While fixed options such as dental implants and porcelain bridges are excellent choices for many patients, removable dentures still play a crucial role in restoring smiles, oral function, and facial support for those who need them.
At the office of Keith A. Kye, DDS, FAGD, we design and fabricate dentures using high-quality materials and careful attention to fit and appearance. Our approach blends contemporary materials with time-tested craftsmanship so your new prosthesis looks natural and supports clear speech and confident chewing.
We focus on individualized care that honors each patient’s goals and medical background. Whether you need a single partial denture or a complete set, our team prioritizes comfort, stability, and a result that complements your facial features and lifestyle.
Losing one or more teeth affects more than your smile. Gaps change how your teeth meet and distribute the forces of chewing, which can lead to gradual shifting or wear in the remaining teeth. Over time, those changes may affect chewing efficiency and make it harder to eat a wide variety of nutritious foods.
Beyond the mechanical effects, missing teeth can influence facial support. Teeth help preserve the shape of the jaw and lips; when several teeth are lost, soft tissues can appear collapsed or sunken, subtly altering your profile. Replacing missing teeth with a well-designed denture helps restore lost support and improves overall facial harmony.
Tooth loss also carries social and emotional consequences. Many people report feeling self-conscious about speaking or smiling when gaps are visible. A carefully made denture can restore function and help you feel more comfortable engaging with friends, family, and colleagues.
A denture is a removable dental appliance composed of artificial teeth set into a supportive base that rests on the gums. The base is shaped to follow the contours of the mouth so the denture can distribute chewing forces and remain stable during common activities like talking and smiling.
Contemporary denture teeth are available in a range of shapes, sizes, and shades, so they can be matched to your natural teeth or to the look you want to achieve. The base materials have also improved, offering a balance of strength, comfort, and aesthetics for both partial and full dentures.
One key advantage of removable dentures is their accessibility for cleaning and inspection. They can be removed to allow gentle cleaning of the prosthesis and to maintain the health of the gums and any remaining natural teeth. Proper home care combined with periodic professional checks helps dentures perform well over the long term.
Selecting the appropriate denture begins with a thorough evaluation of your oral health, the condition of any remaining teeth, and the shape of the supporting bone and soft tissues. Our team considers functional needs, esthetic preferences, and long-term maintenance when recommending a solution.
Removable prostheses generally fall into two broad categories: full (complete) dentures and removable partial dentures. A full denture replaces all teeth in the upper or lower arch, while a partial denture fills in where one or more natural teeth remain and uses those teeth for support and retention.
Complete dentures are designed to replace an entire dental arch. Their success depends on how well the base fits the contours of the mouth and how the teeth are arranged to provide balanced biting forces. A properly made complete denture restores chewing ability and supports facial tissues to improve appearance.
Some patients receive an immediate denture that is placed at the same appointment as tooth extractions so they don’t go without teeth during healing. Immediate dentures offer an early esthetic solution but often require subsequent adjustments as the tissues remodel. A conventional full denture is fabricated after healing is complete and typically provides a more predictable long-term fit.
Overdentures
An overdenture gains extra stability by using remaining tooth roots or attachments on dental implants. This approach preserves some natural structure while significantly improving the denture’s retention and comfort.
Implant-supported options
Implant-supported dentures anchor to a small number of dental implants placed in the jaw. These attachments provide excellent retention and help prevent slipping, improving function and confidence while speaking and eating.
Partial dentures replace several missing teeth while integrating with the remaining natural dentition. They typically use clasps or precision attachments to secure the prosthesis to adjacent teeth, stabilizing the bite and preventing unwanted tooth movement.
Materials and design options for partials have expanded in recent years. Frameworks can be made from cast metal for strength, from flexible resins for increased comfort, or from hybrid materials that balance durability and aesthetics. The right choice depends on the number and position of missing teeth as well as the health of the supporting teeth.
Our team looks at each case individually to recommend the most appropriate design so the denture restores function without compromising the health of the remaining teeth and tissues.
As you consider denture options, it’s helpful to remember that long-term success is often the result of careful planning, precise impressions, and thoughtful coordination between you and your dental team.
Creating a comfortable, stable denture requires more than impressions and teeth selection. It starts with a thorough medical and dental history and an assessment of oral tissues, bite relationships, and the way your lips and cheeks interact with the teeth. We use these observations to guide design decisions that affect comfort and function.
In many cases, diagnostic tools such as digital X-rays and intraoral imaging give additional insight into bone contours and the condition of any remaining teeth. This information helps determine whether pre-prosthetic procedures or extractions are advisable before denture fabrication to ensure a predictable outcome.
During the fabrication process, there are several key steps—preliminary impressions, custom trays, bite records, tooth selection, and try-in appointments. Each step is an opportunity to refine fit, esthetics, and speech, so the final denture meets both practical needs and personal expectations.
When indicated, we can integrate implant attachments or precision connectors into the treatment plan to increase retention and reduce movement. These combined solutions often deliver a significant improvement in daily comfort and function.
After receiving a new denture, most patients experience an adjustment period. Speaking, chewing, and awareness of a new appliance are normal at first and typically improve over days to a few weeks as the muscles and tissues adapt.
Settle-in period and minor adjustments
Small sore spots or areas of pressure are common during the early days of wearing a new denture. If irritation occurs, a follow-up visit allows the denture to be gently adjusted to relieve the area so healing can proceed and comfort can be restored.
Temporary changes in saliva
A new appliance may stimulate saliva production for a short time. This typically resolves as your mouth becomes accustomed to the denture.
Regaining natural speech patterns
Pronunciation can feel different at first. Reading aloud, practicing difficult sounds, and regular use will speed up adaptation so speech returns to normal.
Eating with confidence
Start with softer foods and bite on both sides to distribute pressure evenly. As you gain comfort, you can reintroduce firmer textures and enjoy a wider variety of foods.
Caring for your denture
Rinse dentures after meals and brush them daily with a brush designed for prostheses. Regular cleansing prevents stains and reduces bacterial buildup.
Maintain the health of any remaining teeth and the gums by brushing and cleaning the mouth at least once daily, and by following any specific instructions your clinician provides.
Remove the denture at night to allow the tissues to rest. When not worn, keep the appliance in water or a manufacturer-recommended soaking solution so it maintains shape and cleanliness.
Options for added retention
Some dentures benefit from additional retention, whether through specially designed attachments to remaining teeth, the use of denture adhesives, or by incorporating implant supports. These options can dramatically improve stability and patient comfort.
Routine follow-up and maintenance
Periodic dental visits are important to assess fit, make relines when the tissues change, evaluate oral health, and ensure the denture continues to perform well.
Relines and adjustments over time
As the jawbone and gums remodel with time, relines or adjustments help restore a secure, comfortable fit. These maintenance services extend the functional life of your denture and support long-term oral health.
Our practice is committed to helping patients transition smoothly to denture wear and to supporting them with ongoing care. If you have questions about whether a denture or an implant-supported solution is right for you, please contact us for more information.
Today, it’s easier than ever to replace missing teeth and achieve natural-looking, durable, and long-lasting results! Depending on a patient’s dental needs, lifestyle, expectations of care, and budget, choices can include conventional fixed bridgework, dental implants, or removable partial and complete dentures. At the office of Keith A. Kye, DDS, FAGD, we’ll discuss all your options in care and answer all your questions as you choose the solution that’s right for you.
With advances in dental materials and technology, today’s dentures are more comfortable and realistic-looking than ever before.
Whether you wear partial or complete dentures, it’s essential to see the dentist for routine care. Besides checking the fit and condition of your dentures and making any necessary adjustments, you’ll also receive a comprehensive exam to check on the health of any remaining teeth as well as the soft and hard tissues in and around the oral cavity.
A same-day denture offers an accelerated design and fabrication process that allows a patient to go from impression taking to denture insertion in a single day.
For patients who don’t want to wait after having teeth extracted, an immediate denture can be inserted the same day your teeth are removed. Sometime later you may need the denture relined to address any changes in its fit once the extraction sites have completely healed.
While no one wants to drop or break a partial or complete denture, accidents do happen. The good news is that in some cases, your partial or complete denture is reparable. It all depends on the extent of the damage. Don’t hesitate to contact our office if you’ve broken or damaged your denture. We’re happy to help.
The simple act of taking your partial denture in and out can cause certain types of metal clasps to loosen over time. When you come in for your checkup visit or contact our office for an adjustment, we’ll assess the fit of your partial and tighten the clasps for improved stability and comfort.
While rebuilding a complete smile is a worthwhile investment, our office is sensitive to the costs involved in dental care. We customize care and will discuss which treatment options address your needs, lifestyle, and budget. How much a new denture will cost depends on the type of the prosthesis, its design, and the materials used to fabricate the supportive base, teeth, and clasps or precision attachments. Dentures that include the placement of dental implants for added retention and stability typically involve additional costs.
If you have dental insurance, your coverage may include a new or replacement set of dentures. Our staff is happy to review your coverage with you to ensure you are maximizing your insurance benefits while minimizing any out of pocket expenses.
At the office of Keith A. Kye, DDS, FAGD, we provide an extensive range of dental services, including the latest and most effective methods to help patients with missing teeth rebuild complete and beautiful smiles. As skilled and experienced professionals, we recognize that every patient is different, and every smile is unique. We’re passionate about what we do and take great pride in providing personalized treatment plans while treating our patients as valued partners in care.
Dentures are removable prosthetic appliances that replace missing natural teeth and the surrounding gum tissue. They consist of artificial teeth set into a supportive base that follows the contours of the mouth so the appliance can distribute chewing forces and sit securely. Well-designed dentures restore biting function and facial support while allowing patients to speak, smile, and eat more comfortably.
The denture base is shaped to maximize contact with the gums and underlying bone, which helps stabilize the prosthesis during everyday activities. Denture teeth come in a variety of shapes, sizes and shades so the result can be matched to a patient’s facial features and esthetic goals. Regular professional assessment and careful home care help keep dentures functioning properly over time.
Removable denture options generally include complete (full) dentures, removable partial dentures and immediate dentures placed at the time of extractions. There are also overdentures that gain stability from retained tooth roots and implant-supported dentures that attach to dental implants for enhanced retention. Each style is designed to address different clinical needs, such as replacing an entire arch or filling specific gaps between natural teeth.
Partial dentures often use clasps or precision attachments to integrate with remaining teeth, while complete dentures depend on close adaptation to the gums and oral contours for fit. Material options range from traditional acrylic bases to flexible resins and metal frameworks for partials, allowing a balance of strength, comfort and esthetics. The appropriate choice depends on oral health, the number and position of missing teeth, and a patient’s functional expectations.
Implant-supported dentures attach to small titanium implants placed in the jaw, providing additional retention and stability compared with conventional removable dentures. These attachments can prevent slipping and improve chewing efficiency by anchoring the prosthesis to the bone, which also reduces movement when speaking. The surgical and restorative stages are coordinated to ensure appropriate implant placement and attachment design for reliable function.
Not every patient requires implants, but when appropriate they can significantly improve comfort and confidence with denture wear. Implant-supported solutions include removable overdentures that snap onto implants or fixed hybrid prostheses that are not removed daily. A clinical evaluation, including imaging, helps determine whether a patient has sufficient bone and overall health to pursue implant-retained options.
Good candidates for dentures include patients with significant tooth loss who want to restore appearance, chewing ability and facial support. Candidates should have healthy oral tissues or conditions that can be managed before prosthesis fabrication, and they must be committed to regular dental care and proper denture hygiene. Factors such as the number and location of remaining teeth, jawbone contours and overall medical history influence the recommended approach.
Some patients benefit from implant-supported options if they have adequate bone and are medically suitable for implant surgery, while others are best served by conventional partial or complete dentures. A thorough evaluation guides the team in creating a plan that balances function, esthetics and long-term oral health. If you have questions about suitability, a consultation at the office of Keith A. Kye, DDS, FAGD can clarify which options are appropriate for your situation.
The denture process begins with a comprehensive examination, medical and dental history review, and any necessary imaging to assess bone and soft tissues. Treatment typically proceeds through a series of steps including preliminary impressions, fabrication of custom trays, bite records, tooth selection, try-in appointments and final delivery. Each appointment is an opportunity to refine fit, esthetics and phonetics so the finished denture meets both functional needs and appearance goals.
In cases where extractions or preprosthetic procedures are required, immediate dentures may be provided so the patient does not go without teeth during healing, though adjustments are often needed as tissues remodel. When implants are part of the plan, surgical placement and a healing period precede attachment of an implant-supported prosthesis. Throughout the process, the dental team focuses on communication and careful measurements to achieve a predictable outcome.
Most patients experience an adaptation period that can range from a few days to several weeks as the muscles and soft tissues learn to accommodate the new appliance. Early adjustments commonly include increased saliva production, minor sore spots and changes in speech; these issues typically resolve with practice and timely professional adjustments. Reading aloud, practicing challenging sounds and gradually increasing chewing activity help accelerate adaptation.
If sore areas develop, a follow-up appointment allows the clinician to make targeted adjustments to improve comfort and reduce pressure points. Persistent discomfort, difficulty eating or noticeable instability should be evaluated promptly so relines or design changes can be considered. Routine follow-up visits are important to monitor healing and ensure the prosthesis remains comfortable and functional.
Daily care begins with removing and rinsing dentures after meals to eliminate loose debris, followed by gentle brushing with a denture brush and nonabrasive cleaner to remove stains and bacterial buildup. Avoid using regular toothpaste, which can be abrasive to denture materials and cause micro-scratches that harbor bacteria. Clean the mouth thoroughly as well, brushing any remaining teeth, gums and tongue to maintain oral health.
At night, remove the denture to allow the tissues to rest and store the appliance in water or a manufacturer-recommended soaking solution to prevent warping. Handle dentures carefully over a basin of water or a soft towel to reduce the risk of breakage if dropped. Regular professional checkups let the clinician assess fit, hygiene and the condition of both the prosthesis and oral tissues.
Dentures can temporarily alter speech and chewing patterns because they change how the lips, tongue and cheeks interact with tooth surfaces. Many patients notice a brief period of lisps or difficulty with certain sounds, but consistent practice, reading aloud and conversational use usually restore natural speech within a few weeks. Adjustments to tooth position or the denture flange can also improve phonetics if specific sounds are persistently problematic.
When learning to eat with dentures, begin with softer foods cut into small pieces and chew on both sides to distribute pressure evenly. Gradually reintroduce firmer textures as comfort and stability improve, and avoid biting directly into very tough items until you feel confident. If chewing remains difficult, discussion with the dental team can identify whether occlusal adjustments, relines or alternative retention methods would help.
Relines are adjustments to the internal surface of a denture that restore close contact with the gums after natural tissue changes or bone remodeling. They can be done chairside for minor modifications or in the laboratory for a more comprehensive correction, and they help reestablish comfort and retention without replacing the entire prosthesis. Routine relining is a common part of long-term denture care, particularly for conventional complete dentures as the mouth changes with time.
Repairs for chips, cracks or broken teeth should be handled by a dental professional to ensure proper strength and fit, and patients should avoid using household adhesives. Some patients use denture adhesives for added short-term stability, but these should be used according to manufacturer instructions and only after discussing suitability with a clinician. Regular visits allow the dental team to spot wear or damage early and recommend appropriate maintenance to prolong function.
The functional life of a denture varies based on material quality, wear patterns, oral hygiene and how the mouth changes over time, so expected longevity is individualized. Many dentures provide reliable service for several years, but progressive wear of teeth, changes in jawbone contours and loss of fit can necessitate relines, adjustments or eventual replacement. Regular clinical reviews help determine whether maintenance or a new prosthesis is the most appropriate step to preserve function and comfort.
Signs that replacement may be needed include persistent instability, repeated sore spots, difficulty chewing despite adjustments or visible wear of denture teeth that affects bite and esthetics. Consulting with your dental team about any concerns ensures timely intervention and helps maintain oral health, and the staff at the office of Keith A. Kye, DDS, FAGD can evaluate your prosthesis during routine visits to recommend the best course of action.
The office of Keith A. Kye, DDS, FAGD serves the neighborhoods of Huntersville, Lake Norman, Davidson and Cornelius.