Dentures in San Diego, CA

When extraction of your remaining teeth is unavoidable, an immediate denture lets you avoid ever being without teeth. Preparation begins before extraction: impressions of your existing teeth and gums are used to create accurate duplicates, and your immediate denture is inserted at the extraction appointment itself.

Two things to know: because the denture is made before extraction, we can't test-fit it in advance, so small esthetic compromises are occasionally necessary. And because gums and bone recede as they heal, temporary liners or tissue conditioners will be adjusted or replaced during healing, followed by a permanent reline for an exact, comfortable fit once healing is complete.

A removable partial denture replaces one or more missing teeth while preserving the natural teeth you still have. Each partial is designed for your specific anatomy so chewing forces are distributed evenly across the remaining teeth and soft tissues; minor adjustments to remaining teeth are sometimes recommended to equalize those forces.

Partials are made from a metal-acrylic combination or entirely from acrylic. Metal partials are generally preferred — they're structurally superior, thinner, and more hygienic — while acrylic partials typically serve as transitional or temporary appliances. A partial also helps limit movement of your existing teeth and lets you chew food more efficiently, improving digestion.

Many patients manage well with an upper denture but find a lower denture hard to wear and eat with. Implant-retained dentures solve this by snapping onto dental implants placed in the jaw:

• Ball-attachment denture: two lower implants with a denture that snaps on — far more stable while chewing, though some movement remains and periodic adjustments are normal.
• Bar-attachment denture (overdenture): four to six implants connected by a custom support bar; retention clips inside the denture snap onto the bar for very little movement, while remaining removable for easy cleaning.
• Screw-retained denture: five or more implants supporting a permanent denture that doesn't touch the gums and is removed only at maintenance visits.

Similar options exist for the upper jaw, where softer bone usually calls for more implants — and with enough implants, the palate-covering portion of an upper denture can often be eliminated entirely, so you can fully taste food and sense its temperature. Benefits across all options: improved confidence, stability while eating, bone and gum preservation, easier hygiene, superior esthetics, and better nutrition.

• Brush dentures inside and out daily with a soft, large nylon denture brush with round-ended bristles.
• Use denture cream, not toothpaste — toothpaste is too abrasive and will scratch the denture. Rinse with cold water.
• Never place dentures in hot water; they will warp.
• When not in use, keep dentures covered in water or a denture-cleaning solution so they don't dry out.
• Inspect your denture regularly for worn teeth — worn, stained dentures can make you look older and function poorly.
• Have loose dentures checked immediately; they cause friction and pressure on gum tissues and bone.
• Only a dental professional is qualified to adjust your denture or partial — don't attempt home repairs.
• Most dental insurance policies provide coverage for new dentures every five years.

Your dentures are an investment, and their fit has a profound effect on your oral tissues and health. An annual exam with Dr. Kheradmand includes an update of your medical and dental history, an oral exam (including screening for cancerous and pre-cancerous lesions), tissue and bone assessment, a stability and bite examination, professional cleaning and polishing of the denture, and an oral hygiene review. Ill-fitting dentures cause bone and tissue changes, bite problems, speech difficulties, and tissue irritation — all correctable when caught early.

New dentures fit securely, but gum tissue changes over time and the fit gradually loosens. Professional relining every one to two years keeps a denture secure and functional.

• Hard reline (recommended every two years for full dentures): a layer of plastic is removed from the denture's interior, an impression material captures the current shape of your gums, and the lab adjusts the denture for maximum contact with your mouth.
• Soft reline: for tender gums or sore spots, a pliable material that stays soft for one to two years is far gentler than standard hard acrylic. Patients with chronic soreness may also consider implant-retained dentures as a permanent solution.
• Temporary (medicated) reline: if a denture hasn't been serviced in a long time and gums are red, swollen, or misshapen, a palliative reline lets inflammation subside for a few weeks so a proper new denture or hard reline can then be made.

Rebasing replaces the entire pink acrylic base of a denture while keeping its teeth — recommended when the teeth are still in good condition but the base is old, weakened, or cracked, or when replacing an immediate denture. It's similar to a reline, but replaces all the base material rather than just the lining.

Repairs restore a fractured or damaged denture close to its original condition — and K Dental can often complete denture repairs the same day. If your denture breaks, call us promptly; we'll also advise you on preventing further breakage.

A soft liner is a layer of pliable material fitted between the denture base and your gums, absorbing shock between the hard acrylic and your tissues. Soft liners can be built into new dentures or retrofitted into existing ones. They're especially helpful for patients with receded, flattened gum ridges, chronically sore tissue, or sharp bony areas — offering more comfortable wear and easier chewing, with a track record of decades of successful use. Soft liners do require regular follow-up visits so we can check the fit of the denture and your overall oral health.