Metal partial denture
A cast metal framework is thin, strong, and durable. Metal clasps grip natural teeth securely and tend to last for many years with proper care.
Full & Partial Dentures
Comfortable solutions for replacing missing teeth
Dentures restore the appearance and function of your smile when several teeth or a full arch need to be replaced. At our Richmond office — convenient for patients from Katy, Fulshear, and West Houston — we’ll help you understand which type fits your needs and guide you through each step with care.
What are dentures?
Removable teeth, made for you
A denture is a custom-made appliance that replaces missing teeth and the surrounding gum tissue. Modern materials are lighter and more natural-looking than many people expect, and a well-fitted denture can restore your ability to eat, speak, and smile with confidence.
The right type depends on how many teeth are missing, the health of your gums and jawbone, and what you want from day-to-day comfort. That is what your evaluation is for — not a decision you need to make before your first visit.
Your options
Understanding your denture options
Most patients fall into one of two categories. Some need a full arch replaced; others still have healthy teeth that can help support a partial denture.
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Complete Dentures
Replace all the teeth in an upper arch, a lower arch, or both. The base rests on your gums and is shaped to match the natural contours of your mouth.
Complete dentures are often considered when remaining teeth cannot be saved or when a full arch has already been lost.
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Partial Dentures
Replace several missing teeth while using your remaining natural teeth for support. Clasps or precision attachments hold the denture in place without covering teeth that are still healthy.
A partial can be a practical way to fill gaps, protect alignment, and restore chewing before more teeth are lost.
Partial dentures: metal vs. non-metal
When a partial denture is the right choice, the framework can be made from different materials. Each has trade-offs worth discussing at your visit.
Metal partial Non-metal partial
Non-metal partial denture
Flexible or tooth-coloured materials can look more natural, with clasps that blend into the smile. They may suit patients who prefer a metal-free option when clinically appropriate.
Implant-supported dentures can add stability when a traditional removable denture does not feel secure enough. Learn about dental implants
Why patients choose dentures
Practical benefits you can feel
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Restore your smile
Teeth are shaped and shaded to complement your face and skin tone, so the result looks natural rather than uniform.
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Eat and speak more comfortably
Replacing missing teeth helps with chewing and can improve speech that has been affected by gaps.
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Easy to clean
Removable dentures can be taken out for brushing and soaking, which makes daily hygiene straightforward.
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Replace several teeth at once
One appliance can address multiple missing teeth without preparing every adjacent tooth the way a bridge sometimes requires.
Are you a candidate?
Who may be a good fit?
Dentures are one of several ways to replace missing teeth. Whether they are the right choice for you depends on your oral health, your goals, and how you want your teeth to feel day to day.
Dentures may be worth considering if you:
- Are missing several teeth or a full arch
- Want a removable option rather than a fixed bridge or implant
- Need to replace teeth before implants or other treatment is possible
- Have been told your remaining teeth cannot all be saved
- Want to restore chewing and appearance while you explore other options
If you have been told implants are not possible, dentures — including implant-supported designs — may still be part of the conversation. A comprehensive evaluation is the only way to know what applies to you.
What to expect
From evaluation to your new smile
Getting dentures is a process, not a single appointment. We’ll explain each stage before it begins so you know what to expect.
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Evaluation
We examine your teeth, gums, and bite, discuss your goals, and determine which type of denture — complete, partial, or implant-supported — makes sense for your situation.
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Impressions & planning
Precise records of your mouth are taken so the denture can be designed for fit, comfort, and a natural appearance. You’ll have a chance to discuss tooth shape and shade.
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Fitting & adjustments
Your denture is delivered and checked for fit and bite. Follow-up visits help fine-tune comfort as you adjust to wearing it.
Realistic expectations
Advantages & limitations
Every tooth-replacement option has trade-offs. We’d rather explain them honestly than promise something dentures cannot deliver.
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Advantages
- Restores the appearance of your smile
- Can improve chewing and speech compared with missing teeth
- Removable for straightforward daily cleaning
- Replaces multiple teeth in one appliance
- Often more affordable upfront than implant treatment
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Limitations
- Takes time to get used to wearing and speaking with them
- May need periodic adjustments as your mouth changes
- Less stable than fixed options such as implants or bridges
- Does not prevent bone loss the way implants can
- Not every patient is a candidate for every denture type
Other options
Related treatment options
Dentures are one path to replacing missing teeth. These are others we may discuss if they better fit your goals.
Not sure which option is right for you?
You don’t need to know whether you need a complete denture, a partial, or something supported by implants before your visit. Sunstone Dental will examine your mouth, explain what we find, and walk you through the choices so you can move forward with confidence.
Common questions
Common Questions About Dentures
What is the usual cost of dentures?
The cost of dentures depends on the type of denture, the materials used, how many teeth are being replaced, and whether additional treatment is needed first. A partial denture, a complete removable denture, and an implant-supported denture are very different treatments. After examining your mouth, we can explain the options and give you a clear written estimate.
What is the best type of dentures to get?
There is no single best denture for everyone. A partial denture may make sense when you still have healthy teeth, while a complete denture replaces a full arch. Implant-supported dentures can provide additional stability for some patients. We look at your remaining teeth, bone, bite, comfort, and priorities before recommending one option over another.
Can I get dentures without seeing a dentist?
You may see dentures sold online or directly to consumers, but a denture still needs to fit your gums, bite, and jaw properly. A dental examination also helps identify teeth or gum problems that need attention before the denture is made. For something you will use every day to eat and speak, professional fitting and follow-up adjustments matter.
Why should I take my dentures out at night?
Removing removable dentures at night gives the gums and tissues underneath them time to rest and also gives you a chance to clean both your mouth and the denture thoroughly. Wearing dentures continuously can contribute to irritation and inflammation. Unless we give you different instructions during a specific stage of treatment, dentures generally should not stay in 24 hours a day.
How long does it take to get used to new dentures?
There is usually an adjustment period. Speaking and chewing can feel different at first, and small sore areas sometimes develop as your mouth adapts. Most patients improve with practice and a few adjustments. If one area keeps rubbing or hurting, bring the denture back rather than trying to simply tolerate it.
Are implant-supported dentures better than regular dentures?
They can offer more stability, especially when a traditional denture moves during eating or speaking, but they are not automatically the better choice for everyone. Implant-supported dentures require implant surgery, adequate bone, additional healing time, and a larger investment. We can compare the added stability with the extra treatment so you can decide whether it is worthwhile for you.
Ready to explore your options?
Schedule a consultation at our Richmond office. We’ll listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and help you find a solution that fits your life.