Dental implants
Replacing missing teeth with a stable foundation, from a single tooth to a full arch.
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Dentures · Orem, Utah
Dentures that fit your face, your bite, and your life.
A denture replaces missing teeth, and the gum tissue around them, either across a whole arch or just where the gaps are. We design and fit full, partial, and implant-supported dentures as prosthodontists, the specialists trained in replacing teeth.
What kinds of dentures do you make?
Christensen Prosthodontics in Orem, Utah designs and fits full dentures, partial dentures, and implant-supported dentures. A prosthodontist plans each one around your bite, bone, and face, so it fits well and looks natural.
Why it matters
A denture that slips changes how you eat, how you speak, and how often you smile. A denture that fits gives all of that back.
Request a consultationWhich kind of denture is right for you?
There is no single best denture. The right one depends on how many teeth are missing, how much bone is there to support it, what your bite is doing, and what matters most to you. Here is the short version of the options, and a consultation is where we work out which one fits you.
- A full denture replaces all the teeth in an upper or lower jaw, and rests on the gum and bone underneath.
- A partial denture fills in the gaps when you still have healthy teeth worth keeping.
- An implant-supported denture, sometimes called a snap-in or overdenture, clips onto implants so it stays put and comes out for cleaning.
- A fixed implant bridge stays in the mouth full time and is cleaned like teeth, not taken out at night.
- A denture you already own can sometimes be relined, repaired, or remade rather than replaced with something new.
The pathway
How is a denture made?
Every step is explained before it happens, so you always know where you are and what comes next.
1
Consultation and exam
We listen first, then examine your mouth, your bite, and any denture you already wear, and take the images we need. You leave knowing what your options actually are.
2
Written plan
You receive a plan in writing that lays out the recommended approach, the sequence, the timeline, and the cost, so nothing about the process is a surprise.
3
Records and design
We take impressions and bite records that capture how your jaw closes and moves. These records are what make the difference between a denture that fits and one that fights you.
4
Try-in
You see and approve the shape, size, and color of the teeth before anything is finished. Changes are easy at this stage, which is exactly why we do it.
5
Delivery and adjustment
We fit the finished denture and adjust it. A short series of adjustments is normal and expected, not a sign that something went wrong.
Compare denture types
Four ways to replace missing teeth
The right choice depends on how many teeth are missing, your bone, and what matters most to you.
| Option | Holds on with | Removable? | Implant surgery? | Often a fit when |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full denture | Suction and shape on the gums | Yes | No | All teeth in an upper or lower arch are missing |
| Partial denture | Clasps on your remaining teeth | Yes | No | Healthy teeth remain between the gaps |
| Implant-supported denture | Snaps onto dental implants | Yes, for cleaning | Yes | A denture slips or feels loose when you eat |
| Fixed implant bridge | Fixed to several implants | No, cleaned in place | Yes | You want teeth that stay in full time |
Loose dentures
If your denture moves, that is fixable.
A lower denture that lifts when you chew, sore spots that keep coming back, or adhesive you reapply through the day are all common reasons people come to see us. Sometimes the answer is a reline or a remake. Sometimes it is adding implants so the denture clips into place and stays.
What we will not do is tell you what you need before we have looked at your bite and the bone underneath. For general background on denture types, the American College of Prosthodontists keeps a patient FAQ on dentures.
Two directions
Traditional denture or implant-supported?
Traditional denture
Rests on the gum and bone. Removable.
- No surgery involved
- Usually the lower cost route
- Can be made relatively quickly
- Comes out for cleaning
- Relies on suction and shape for grip
- May need relining as bone changes
Implant-supported denture
Clips onto or attaches to dental implants.
- Holds position while you eat and talk
- Takes pressure off the gum ridge
- Removable or fixed, depending on the plan
- Needs enough bone, or bone grafting first
- Involves implant surgery and healing time
- Higher cost, planned and quoted in writing
Google reviews
In our patients’ words.
4.9 stars across nearly 150 Google reviews.
They will explain things simply according to your own understanding, and ensure that you feel comfortable and confident moving forward with your treatment.
Dr. Christensen is always thorough, detailed, kind and understanding. I have seen him for 25+ years and will continue with him as he has earned my trust year over year.
I went in for a consultation. I was very impressed with Dr. Christensen and the staff! I felt very comfortable and felt that all were very capable and that [I] would be in expert hands here.
Key terms
Words you may hear at your consultation
- Complete denture
- A full denture that replaces all the teeth in an upper or lower arch.
- Partial denture
- A removable denture that fills gaps between your remaining natural teeth.
- Overdenture
- A denture that snaps onto implants or remaining tooth roots. Often called a snap-in denture.
- Reline
- Reshaping the inside of a denture so it fits your gums again.
- Bone resorption
- The slow shrinking of jawbone where teeth are missing. It is why dentures can loosen over time.
- Try-in
- A visit to check the fit, bite, and look of a denture before it is finished.
Common questions
Questions about dentures
How long does it take to get dentures in Orem?
Most denture cases run over several visits across a few weeks, because the records, the try-in, and the fitting each need their own appointment. Cases that involve extractions, healing, or implants take longer. At your consultation at Christensen Prosthodontics in Orem, Utah, you get a timeline written out for your specific situation.
Do dentures hurt?
A new denture usually feels bulky and strange for a while, and most people need a few adjustments as the fit settles. That is normal. Ongoing pain or repeated sore spots is not normal, and it usually means the fit or the bite needs attention, which is something we can correct.
What is the difference between a denture and an implant-supported denture?
A traditional denture rests on your gum and the bone under it and is held by suction and shape. An implant-supported denture attaches to dental implants placed in the jaw, so it stays put while you eat and talk. Implant-supported dentures can be removable, so they snap on and off, or fixed so they stay in full time.
Can I eat normally with dentures?
Most people go back to a wide range of foods, though it takes practice, and very hard or sticky foods stay difficult with a traditional denture. Patients who want the closest thing to natural chewing usually do best with an implant-supported denture, because it does not lift when you bite.
How much do dentures cost in Orem, Utah?
It depends on the type of denture, whether teeth need to be removed first, and whether implants are part of the plan, so we do not quote a price before we have examined you. After your consultation you receive a written estimate, and we go over insurance coverage and payment options with you.
Who makes the dentures at Christensen Prosthodontics?
Your care is planned and delivered by prosthodontists, the dental specialists who complete several years of training beyond dental school in replacing and restoring teeth. Dr. William Christensen and Dr. Kellen McWhorter treat patients at our Orem, Utah office.
What happens after my denture is finished?
Follow-up is part of the plan. We check how everything fits and functions, make adjustments when needed, and explain how to care for your work at home. Ask at your consultation what follow-up looks like for your treatment.
Can my old dentures be relined or repaired?
Sometimes. If the teeth and base are still sound, a reline can refit the denture to your gums. If it is worn or broken, a repair or a new denture may work better. We check it and explain the options.
Why do dentures get loose over time?
The jawbone under missing teeth slowly shrinks, so a denture that fit well can loosen. A reline, a new denture, or implant support can restore the fit.
When is the office open?
Christensen Prosthodontics is open Monday to Thursday, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and closed Friday through Sunday. Call (801) 226-6565 or request a consultation online and we will reply within one business day.
What if I need to reschedule?
Just call the office as early as you can and we'll find a new time. We know plans change, and we'll work with you.
Related care pathways
Where denture care connects
Dentures are one path among several. If your situation is bigger, or you are weighing your options, these may fit better.
Full-mouth rehabilitation
One sequenced plan when most of the mouth needs attention, not one tooth at a time.
See the pathwayCrowns and bridges
Worn, cracked, or failing teeth rebuilt, and small gaps closed.
See the pathwayA clearer path forward
Let's find the denture that actually fits.
Bring the denture you have now, or bring the problem you have been putting up with. We will tell you honestly what your options are.