Perfect Fitting, Long Lasting Dentures
Regaining Confidence with Full Teeth Replacement
Missing teeth make eating and speaking harder. They affect how you feel about your appearance. Traditional dentures replace missing teeth with a custom-fitted removable prosthesis that restores chewing function and a natural-looking smile.
At Heritage Family Dentistry in Grayson, Dr. Erin Pickwick fits both full and partial dentures using careful impressions, refined try-in appointments, and bite calibration so the final result looks natural and feels stable. The practice has served Grayson families since 1982.
Our Teeth Replacement / Dental Implant Services in Grayson
Quick Answer
Traditional dentures are removable dental prostheses that replace missing teeth and surrounding gum tissue. Full dentures replace an entire arch of teeth. Partial dentures replace a few missing teeth while clasping onto your remaining natural ones. The fitting process typically takes 4 to 8 weeks across 3 to 5 appointments. According to the American College of Prosthodontists, more than 36 million Americans are edentulous (missing all of their teeth), and the majority rely on some form of denture to restore function and appearance.
What Are Traditional Dentures?
A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and the adjacent gum tissue. The teeth themselves are made from acrylic resin or porcelain. The gum-colored base that holds the teeth is built from dental-grade acrylic, sometimes reinforced with a thin metal framework for added strength.
Heritage Family Dentistry offers two types of traditional dentures: full dentures and partial dentures. Both rest on the soft tissue of the mouth and can be removed for cleaning. Neither requires surgery, which makes traditional dentures the most widely available option for replacing missing teeth.
Full Dentures
A full denture replaces every tooth in either the upper or lower arch, or both. The upper denture covers the roof of the mouth and uses suction against the palate to stay in place. The lower denture is horseshoe-shaped to leave room for the tongue and relies on the ridge of the jawbone for stability.
Full dentures are typically made after any remaining teeth are removed and the gum tissue has fully healed, which usually takes 8 to 12 weeks. Once healing is complete, you'll come in for impressions, a wax try-in, and final delivery.
Partial Dentures
A partial denture fills the gaps when you still have some healthy natural teeth. The prosthesis clasps around your existing teeth using small metal or flexible plastic attachments. This stops your remaining teeth from drifting into the empty spaces, which protects your bite and chewing function.
Partial dentures are often the right choice when extractions and implants aren't ideal, whether for cost, medical history, or personal preference. They can be adjusted or added to as your dental needs change over time.
How Traditional Dentures Work: The Process
Most patients complete denture treatment in 4 to 8 weeks. The timeline depends on whether extractions are needed first and how your tissue heals.
Appointment 1: Consultation and exam. Dr. Pickwick reviews your medical history, examines your remaining teeth and tissues, and takes diagnostic imaging when needed to assess your jawbone. Together you discuss whether full dentures, partial dentures, or an implant-retained option fits your goals and anatomy.
Appointment 2: Impressions. Detailed impressions of your gums, ridge, and existing teeth are taken. These capture every contour the denture will rest against. Accurate impressions are the single most important factor in a comfortable final fit.
Appointment 3: Bite registration and try-in. A wax version of the denture with the actual teeth set into it is placed in your mouth. You can see how the final denture will look, test how it sits, and confirm tooth color and shape. Any adjustments are made before the final denture is fabricated.
Appointment 4: Delivery. Your finished denture is placed and fine-tuned. Dr. Pickwick checks pressure points, bite balance, and speech. Small adjustments are typical in the first 1 to 2 weeks as your tissues adapt.
If extractions are part of your treatment plan, healing time is built in before impressions are taken so the final denture fits the settled shape of your gums.
Full Dentures vs. Partial Dentures vs. Implant-Retained Dentures
Most patients want to understand how traditional dentures compare to the implant-supported alternatives offered at Heritage Family Dentistry.
| Feature | Full Traditional Dentures | Partial Dentures | Implant-Retained Dentures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Replaces | Full arch of teeth | Some missing teeth | Full arch with implant anchors |
| Surgery required | No | No | Yes (implant placement) |
| Treatment timeline | 4 to 8 weeks | 4 to 6 weeks | 3 to 6 months |
| Cost range (industry avg.) | $1,500 to $3,500 per arch | $1,000 to $3,000 | $7,000 to $30,000+ |
| Longevity | 5 to 10 years with proper care | 5 to 8 years | 15+ years with proper care |
| Removable | Yes | Yes | Yes or fixed, depending on design |
| Bone preservation | Limited | Limited | High |
| Best for | Patients missing all teeth in an arch | Patients with some healthy teeth remaining | Patients seeking maximum stability and bone preservation |
Cost ranges reflect general industry averages reported by the American College of Prosthodontists and may vary based on materials, complexity, and lab specifications.
If you're considering longer-term options, ask Dr. Pickwick during your consultation about implant-retained dentures, which use 2 to 4 implants to lock a denture in place.
Benefits of Traditional Dentures
Traditional dentures remain a strong choice for most patients missing one or both arches of teeth. The reasons are practical.
Restored Chewing Function
Modern denture acrylics and tooth designs let you eat most foods comfortably. Patients typically regain 20 to 30 percent of natural chewing force with a well-fitted full denture, based on published prosthodontic research. Partial dentures often perform better because the remaining natural teeth contribute additional bite force.
Improved Speech
Missing teeth, especially front teeth, affect how you form sounds. A properly fitted denture restores the tooth contact points your tongue and lips rely on, which clarifies speech within the first few weeks of wear.
Natural Appearance
Today's denture teeth are matched to skin tone, age, and facial structure. The gum-colored base is layered with veining and shading to mimic natural tissue. A well-made denture is difficult to identify as a denture.
Affordability
Traditional dentures are the most cost-accessible full-arch tooth replacement available. The treatment requires no surgery, which lowers both cost and recovery burden compared to implant-based alternatives.
Predictable Process
The traditional denture process has been refined over more than a century of clinical practice. Outcomes are well documented, complications are well understood, and remakes or relines are straightforward when needed.
Ready to Replace Missing Teeth?
Schedule a consultation at Heritage Family Dentistry to discuss whether traditional dentures, partial dentures, or an implant-retained option best fits your situation.
Why Choose Heritage Family Dentistry in Grayson?
Heritage Family Dentistry has served Grayson and the broader Gwinnett community since 1982. The practice is privately owned and not part of a corporate dental chain, which means treatment decisions are made between you and your dentist with no production quotas or upselling pressure.
Dr. Erin Pickwick brings 16+ years of clinical experience to denture cases. She earned her Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry from the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry in 2010 and completed a year-long advanced education in general dentistry residency through the University of Alabama and the VA Medical Center in Birmingham. Postgraduate dental residencies include training in removable prosthodontics, which forms part of the clinical foundation for both full and partial denture work.
Active leadership in organized dentistry. Dr. Pickwick is a former president of the Georgia Academy of General Dentistry and an active member of the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, the Georgia Dental Association, and the Hinman Dental Society. Continuing education is part of her ongoing practice.
Voted Best of Gwinnett in 2024 and 2025. Heritage Family Dentistry received the Best of Gwinnett designation in both 2024 and 2025, a community-voted recognition that reflects patient experience and clinical outcomes.
A relationship-first practice. The team includes hygienists and assistants who have been with the practice for years. Office Manager Lori has served patients at Heritage since 1988. This continuity matters for denture care, where small adjustments and long-term relines are part of standard maintenance.
Sedation and anxiety-friendly care available. Patients who feel nervous about treatment can ask about sedation dentistry options, which makes longer appointments more comfortable.
Financing and a membership plan for uninsured patients. Heritage Family Dentistry accepts most PPO insurance plans and is in-network with Aetna PPO, Cigna PPO, and United Concordia PPO. Monthly financing is available, and an in-house membership plan helps uninsured patients access care at a discounted rate.
Dentures Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question? We have answers.
New Patient Specials
New Patient Comprehensive Dental Exam
$159
No insurance? We offer a $159 Comprehensive New Patient Exam and X-Rays.
New patients only. Cannot be combined with insurance.
No Insurance?
The Heritage Family Dentistry Membership Plan
With our membership plan, you can receive the quality care you need at a discounted price. Both monthly and annual payment plans are available.
Cannot be combined with insurance.
Our Grayson Dental Practice Location
Office Hours:
Monday - Tuesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
(one Friday per month)
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed