Dentures in Flat Rock
If you've been avoiding certain foods, covering your mouth when you laugh, or holding onto a few loose teeth that have been failing for years, you're facing a decision a lot of our Flat Rock patients have already worked through with us. Tooth loss doesn't happen all at once for most people — it builds over time through decay, gum disease, old restorations that finally give out, or an injury. Dentures are one of the most practical, time-tested ways to get chewing, speaking, and smiling back, and because we make and adjust them in our own on-site lab at 22500 Allen Rd. in Woodhaven, the short trip from Flat Rock usually means fewer delays between appointments.
A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and the surrounding tissue, custom-made to fit your mouth. We offer two main types, and the right one depends on how many natural teeth you still have and the condition they're in.
Complete dentures replace a full arch — upper, lower, or both — when no natural teeth remain in that arch. They rest on the gums and are shaped to support your lips and cheeks, which is why a well-made complete denture also restores facial fullness that can be lost along with the teeth. Partial dentures are for patients who still have healthy natural teeth. A partial fills the gaps with replacement teeth attached to a base that clasps around or rests against the remaining teeth, which also keeps those teeth from drifting into open spaces over time.
Comparing the two simply: if your remaining teeth are sound and worth keeping, a partial is almost always the better path because preserving natural tooth structure and bone is worth doing. If the remaining teeth are badly broken down, loose from advanced gum disease, or causing repeated pain, a complete denture may be the more stable long-term answer. We also offer implant-supported dentures for patients who want a denture anchored to dental implants rather than resting on the gums alone, and we're happy to walk you through that option during your visit.
Your first appointment is a conversation and an exam. We look at your remaining teeth, gum health, and bone support, take X-rays, and perform an oral cancer screening as part of a thorough evaluation. From there we lay out your realistic options, what each involves, and roughly how many visits to plan for. Consultations are complimentary, so Flat Rock patients can get a clear answer before committing to anything.
Some patients need extractions first. Because we handle both simple and surgical extractions in-house — along with bone grafting when the ridge needs support — you won't be sent elsewhere mid-treatment. Nitrous oxide and IV sedation are available for patients who feel anxious about that part. After impressions and bite records, our lab technicians fabricate your denture on site, which also allows us to offer same-day dentures in appropriate cases. Try-in and adjustment visits follow so we can fine-tune fit, bite, and appearance before you take it home.
- A complimentary consultation and full exam, including X-rays
- Any needed extractions, with nitrous oxide or IV sedation available
- Impressions and bite records taken in our office
- Fabrication in our on-site lab, including same-day options in appropriate cases
- Fitting and adjustment visits to refine comfort and bite
- Ongoing relines, repairs, and checkups as your mouth changes
Living With Your Dentures and Keeping Them Fitting Well
The first couple of weeks take some adjusting. Speaking and eating feel different, and it's normal to need a few adjustment visits as sore spots show up. Call us — small tweaks make a large difference, and they're quick.
Clean your denture daily, rinse after meals, and store it as directed when it's out. Keep coming in for exams so we can check your gums, your remaining teeth if you wear a partial, and the fit itself. Gums and bone reshape over the years, so relines are a normal part of denture ownership rather than a sign something went wrong. We do relines and repairs in our own lab, which usually means a faster turnaround than sending work out.
Paying for Dentures Without Guesswork
We accept all major PPO insurance plans and will run a complimentary benefits check so you know what's covered before treatment starts. We also welcome self-pay patients and accept cash, checks, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.
For patients without insurance, our in-house membership plan is $199 a year for adults and $99 for ages 17 and under, with no deductibles, no annual maximum, no waiting period, and 20% to 50% off treatment beyond covered preventive care. CareCredit financing is also available. Se habla español — and we're glad to answer questions from Flat Rock patients by phone before you ever sit in the chair.