Types of Dentures: What’s Right for You
Explore traditional, partial, implant-supported, and digital dentures at Gettysburg Dental Associates to find the right fit for your smile.

Types of Dentures: What’s Right for You

Over 36 million Americans are edentulous (have no teeth), and 120 million people in the U.S. are missing at least one tooth.

Implants, traditional dentures, partials, even digital dentures—when you're considering dentures for your smile, the options can be overwhelming. And if you currently wear dentures but aren't happy with the fit or function, it can be hard to know where to turn next.

At Gettysburg Dental Associates (GDA), we want to help you make informed choices for your oral health so you can find dentures that fit your mouth, budget, and lifestyle. Read on to explore what we offer right here in Gettysburg. ‍

Traditional Dentures

Traditional dentures are the option most people picture first, and for good reason; they remain a reliable way to restore a full-looking smile. If you're missing all your natural teeth in an arch, there's no reason to feel self-conscious. We can design a personalized, custom-fit denture that looks natural, functions well, and is built to last for years.

Traditional dentures tend to be a good fit for patients who are missing a full or partial arch of teeth. Before moving to treatment, our team will take a close look at your remaining teeth, gum health, and jaw structure to determine whether (and when) a denture makes sense for you.

For denture adhesive and care, we're happy to recommend products at your next appointment or point patients to the American Dental Association Seal for safe, effective dental products.

Partial Dentures

Partials work on the same principle as traditional dentures, but they're built for a different situation: when you still have some healthy natural teeth remaining. Rather than replacing an entire arch, a partial fills in the gaps left by missing teeth while working with the teeth you still have.

Like traditional dentures, partials are a great option for patients who can't have implants placed or who would rather avoid a bridge. We'll examine your smile and recommend the appliance that best matches your needs based on what we find during your exam. Either way, the goal is the same: a comfortable, durable, natural-looking smile you're proud to show off.

Implant-Supported Dentures

If you've worn traditional dentures before, you already know the frustrations that can come with them—slipping while you eat or talk, and having to rely on creams, gels, or adhesive strips to get through the day. Implant-supported dentures solve those problems at the source.

With this approach, we place a series of dental implants in the jaw, then design an overdenture that snaps securely into place on top of them. The result is a denture that stays put, feels more like your natural teeth, and lets you leave the adhesives behind for good.

For patients missing just one or a few teeth rather than a full arch, a standalone dental implant may be a better fit. A single implant is typically made of titanium and surgically placed into the jawbone, where it fuses with the bone over time to create a stable, permanent foundation.

Digital Dentures

Digital dentures at GDA are changing what the denture process looks like from start to finish. Instead of the traditional method—which involves messy, uncomfortable molds and several visits to adjust the fit—digital dentures use computer-aided design technology to create a highly accurate fit from the start.

The process begins with a digital impression, which is sent straight to a lab where 3D printing technology is used to fabricate the dentures quickly and precisely. Rather than the back-and-forth adjustments that traditional dentures often require, most patients need only one final appointment to have their new dentures fitted and checked for comfort. For patients who want a faster, more comfortable path to a new smile, it's an option worth asking about.

Finding the Right Fit for You

Whether you're missing a single tooth, need to replace a full arch, are exploring dentures for the first time, or want to upgrade a denture that never quite fit right, we have a solution for your situation. The best way to know what's right for you is to talk with our team.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation, and let's find the dentures that help you smile, eat, and speak with confidence again.