What Are Dentures?
Replacing missing teeth with dentures allows us to restore both function and confidence to your smile. These custom-made appliances are designed to closely match the shape, color, and fit of your natural teeth, helping you speak clearly, chew comfortably, and smile with ease. We offer both complete dentures for those who have lost all teeth in an arch and partial dentures that work alongside your existing natural teeth to fill in gaps and restore balance.
We use modern materials and design techniques to create dentures that feel secure and look natural. Today’s dentures are lighter and more comfortable than ever before, and we carefully tailor each set to the contours of your mouth for a personalized fit. If adjustments are needed over time, we’re here to ensure they remain as comfortable and effective as possible. With regular checkups and good care at home, dentures can provide dependable results that enhance your quality of life. Whether you’re replacing a few teeth or an entire arch, we’re committed to helping you achieve a smile that looks great, functions well, and feels right for you.
Why Trust Altoona Smiles Family and Cosmetic Dentistry?
Restoring your smile with dentures begins with a detailed understanding of your needs, goals, and lifestyle. Our team takes the time to evaluate your oral health, listen to your concerns, and create a treatment plan tailored just for you. Every denture is custom-designed using high-quality materials to ensure a secure fit, natural appearance, and optimal function. We work closely with you throughout the process to make sure your results are both comfortable and satisfying.
Patients appreciate the care and attention they receive during each step of the denture journey, from impressions and fittings to education on care and long-term maintenance. We prioritize function and aesthetics equally, aiming to give you a smile that enhances your everyday life. Our goal is to restore more than your teeth; we want to help restore your confidence. With a focus on personalized care and long-lasting outcomes, we provide denture solutions that are practical, attractive, and supportive of your overall oral health.
Benefits of Dentures
- Restored Function
Dentures help you chew, speak, and smile with greater ease, restoring your ability to enjoy meals and conversations comfortably and confidently, improving both daily function and quality of life. - Aesthetic Enhancement
Designed to mimic the appearance of natural teeth, dentures enhance your smile’s look, helping you feel more confident and youthful with a complete, attractive, and balanced facial profile. - Prevention of Dental Shifts
Partial dentures keep remaining teeth from shifting into empty spaces, preserving your bite alignment and supporting the structural health of your surrounding teeth and jaw.
Featured Treatments
Family &
General Dentistry
Our aim at Altoona Smiles is to provide exceptional dental care.
Children’s
Dentistry
A baby’s first tooth can erupt as soon as 6-12 months of age.
Cosmetic
Dentistry
Achieve a beautiful smile with cosmetic enhancements.
Emergency
Dentistry
Altoona Smiles offers same-day appointments.
Invisalign &
Clear Aligners
Everyone deserves to smile proudly with well-aligned teeth.
Botox
Altoona Smiles is proud to offer treatments utilizing botox and cosmetic fillers.
Denture Type Performance and Retention Stability
Retention/Stability %
Patient Satisfaction %
Traditional Complete Denture (Maxilla/Upper)
88
82
Traditional Complete Denture (Mandible/Lower)
72
68
Partial Denture (Class III—Multiple Remaining Teeth)
85
80
Implant-Supported Denture (4-6 Implants)
98
94
Hybrid Denture (Implants + Natural Tooth Retention)
95
92
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
0%
50%
100%
Narrative: Shows that traditional dentures have variable retention depending on arch, with upper dentures more stable than lower. Partial dentures perform well when supported by remaining teeth. Implant-supported dentures provide dramatically superior stability and patient satisfaction, though at higher cost. Hybrid approaches balance cost and performance.
| Denture Type | Retention Quality | TiPatient Adaptationle | Longevity | Adjustment Needs | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complete denture (upper/maxilla) | 88% stability | Moderate (upper arch retains well) | 5-8 years | Annual adjustments; relines every 1-2 years | $1500-3000 |
| Complete denture (lower/mandible) | 72% stability | Challenging (lower arch less stable; more adaptation needed) | 5-8 years | Annual adjustments; relines every 1-2 years | $1500-3000 |
| Partial denture | 85% stability | Good (retains some sensation from remaining teeth) | 5-7 years | Annual adjustments; adjustments every 1-2 years | $1200-2500 |
| Implant-supported denture (4-6 implants) | 98% stability | Easy (high retention; feels secure; minimal adaptation) | 10-15 years | Occasional adjustments; better long-term stability | $5000-12000 |
| Hybrid denture (implants + teeth) | 95% stability | Very good (combine implant and natural tooth support) | 10-15 years | Regular adjustments; excellent stability | $6000-15000 |
American College of Prosthodontists | Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry | Journal of Dental Research | International Journal of Prosthodontics | Clinical studies on denture retention, patient adaptation, and long-term outcomes
Key Findings About Dentures
Dentures are removable prosthetic restorations that replace multiple missing teeth or an entire arch of teeth; modern dentures provide improved retention, comfort, and esthetics compared to older designs, though they require daily care, regular adjustment appointments, and periodic replacement as the underlying jawbone naturally resorbs over time.
Partial dentures replace several missing teeth while preserving remaining natural teeth, whereas complete dentures replace all teeth in an arch; partial dentures are often less expensive and easier to adapt to than complete dentures, though they require natural teeth for retention and support.
The fabrication of a denture involves multiple appointments, initial consultation and needs assessment, preliminary impressions, detailed impressions and bite records, wax try-in for approval of shape and appearance, and final delivery, with the entire process typically taking 4-6 weeks.
Dentures are supported by the underlying bone ridge, which naturally resorbs (shrinks) over time after tooth loss, particularly in the first year following tooth extraction; this bone loss requires adjustments and eventual replacement of dentures to maintain proper fit and retention, with complete replacement typically needed every 5-10 years.
Modern denture materials include high-quality acrylic resins and advanced base materials that provide superior strength, durability, and esthetics; some patients benefit from implant-supported dentures or dentures with precision attachments for enhanced retention and stability compared to traditional dentures.
Success with dentures depends on patient expectations, ability to adapt to a removable prosthesis, commitment to daily care, and willingness to maintain appointments for adjustments and tissue conditioning; patients who develop great habits and understand the care requirements typically achieve high satisfaction with dentures, while those with unrealistic expectations may struggle with adaptation.
See Why Patients Trust Us Through Verified Reviews
“Restorative dentistry is about rebuilding what’s been lost, whether it’s a single tooth or several teeth, and restoring both function and confidence. Every tooth saved is a victory, and every restoration is an opportunity to help a patient eat, speak, and smile without limitation. Over my 20 years, I’ve learned that the best restorations are those patients don’t think about, they just work like natural teeth.”
Dr. Eric Forsberg
Co-Owner & General Dentist
Questions Patients Ask About Dentures in Altoona
Will dentures feel natural, and how long will it take to adjust to wearing them?
Modern dentures are designed to mimic natural teeth in appearance and to restore chewing function, but they do feel different than natural teeth. The adjustment period typically ranges from 2 weeks to 3 months, with most patients adapting within 6-8 weeks. Initially, dentures may feel bulky, may affect speech, or may loosen during eating. During adjustment appointments, the Altoona Smiles team makes tissue adjustments and occlusal corrections to improve fit and comfort. Patience and practice with eating and speaking help accelerate adaptation. Most patients adjust successfully and report high satisfaction once adapted.
Do I need to care for dentures differently than natural teeth?
Yes. Dentures require daily brushing with a soft-bristled denture brush and denture cleanser (not regular toothpaste), then soaking overnight in a denture solution to maintain moisture and prevent warping. You should also rinse your mouth after meals and clean your remaining natural teeth (if a partial denture) with regular toothpaste and floss. You must remove dentures at night to allow tissues to rest. Regular appointments with the Altoona Smiles team monitor denture fit and allow for adjustments as your mouth changes over time.
Why do dentures need replacement or adjustment so frequently?
After tooth loss, the jawbone naturally resorbs (shrinks) as it no longer supports tooth roots. This bone loss changes the shape and volume of the jaw, which means the denture no longer fits properly. In the first year following extraction, significant resorption occurs, requiring multiple adjustments and possibly a new denture. After the first year, bone loss continues at a slower rate, typically requiring adjustments yearly and denture replacement every 5-10 years. This is an unavoidable consequence of tooth loss and is why implants, which prevent bone loss, are valuable alternatives.
Are implant-supported dentures better than traditional dentures?
Implant-supported dentures offer superior retention, stability, and patient satisfaction compared to traditional dentures, with 94-98% patient satisfaction vs. 68-82% for traditional dentures. However, implant-supported dentures require surgical implant placement (3-6 months for implant integration before denture fabrication), are more expensive ($5000-12000+ vs. $1500-3000 for traditional dentures), and require surgical expertise. For patients who can afford them and are willing to commit to implant placement, implant-supported dentures are often the superior long-term option. For patients prioritizing cost and shorter treatment timelines, traditional dentures remain effective.
If I wear dentures, will my jawbone continue to shrink?
Yes. Even with well-fitting dentures, the underlying bone continues to resorb over time, though the rate of loss is slower than immediately after tooth extraction. Dentures rest on bone but do not provide the stimulation that natural tooth roots provide, so bone resorption is inevitable. Implants, which are anchored directly in bone, provide stimulation that slows bone resorption significantly, which is another advantage of implant-supported restorations. Regular adjustments and periodic denture relines help accommodate bone loss and maintain denture fit over time.