Dentures in Keller, TX

Which Denture Fits Your Smile

The right type depends on how many natural teeth you are keeping and whether you want the denture anchored in your jaw. We offer four options:

• Complete dentures replace every tooth in an arch. We make them for the upper arch, the lower arch, or both.
• Partial dentures fill gaps and sit alongside the healthy teeth you are keeping.
• Implant-supported dentures attach to implants in your jawbone, so they are steadier and give you more biting power than a denture that rests on your gums. When the jaw needs more bone first, bone grafting is an option, which you can read about on our dental implants page.
• All-on-4 is a fixed, non-removable set of teeth held by four implants. The All-on-4 page walks through that process.

If you are missing a single tooth and the teeth beside the gap are healthy, ask us about a dental bridge as well, since it anchors to crowns on those neighbors.

From First Exam To A Denture That Fits

You can expect five steps, starting with an exam and ending with follow-up adjustments after your fitting.

1. Consultation. Dr. Cornelius or Dr. Geurkink examines your mouth with X-rays, asks what you want, and presents your options. Our first visit page covers what to bring and the forms you can fill out online.
2. Preparing your mouth. If teeth need to come out first, extractions happen at this stage, and sedation is available if you would like it.
3. Designing the denture. We take impressions and settle the shape and shade of your teeth.
4. Trying it on. You wear a trial version before the final one is made.
5. Fitting and follow-up. The final denture goes in, and we adjust it at follow-up visits.

The First Few Weeks With A New Denture

Most people need a few weeks to get used to a new denture, and soft foods make that stretch easier. New dentures can feel awkward at first, and some tenderness is normal while your mouth adjusts. Tell us about any sore spot instead of waiting it out, since adjusting the fit is what the follow-up visits are for.

With good care a denture lasts about five to ten years, and the fit is worth checking once it passes the five-year mark.

What Dentures Cost And How To Spread It Out

The price depends on the type of denture and on whether extractions or implants are part of your plan, so the number comes after your exam. Once you choose a plan, our treatment coordinator, Kolleen, goes over costs and financing with you.

Sky Creek Dental is a fee-for-service practice, which means we have no contracts with insurers, but your benefits still apply. We estimate your benefits before treatment and file the claim for you, and your insurer makes the final decision on what it pays. For costs insurance does not cover, we welcome CareCredit, and you can apply for Cherry financing through a short form on our website. Cherry decides approval and terms. Insurance is not required to become a patient, and you can find the details on our Financial Options page.

Meet Our Dentists

You will see Dr. Cornelius or Dr. Geurkink at your exam. If the thought of having teeth removed is what has kept you putting this off, either one can talk through your sedation options, which range from nitrous oxide to IV sedation.

Dr. Cornelius has been practicing in Keller since 1998, and a denture needs checking for years after it is made, so it helps to see a dentist who has been in town that long. He worked as a dental assistant from high school through dental school, and he is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, which is worth knowing if implants are part of your decision.

Dr. Geurkink finished first in her class at Texas A&M Baylor College of Dentistry, and her focus is full-mouth rehabilitation for patients whose teeth are badly broken down or failing. That is often where the denture question starts: which teeth are worth keeping, and which are not. 

Why A Loose Denture Should Not Wait

A denture that has stopped fitting may need a reline or a replacement, and adhesive is not a fix for a poor fit. A poor fit can contribute to mouth sores and, with prolonged use, bone loss. Gums also change over time, so a denture that fit well a few years ago may not fit now. If yours has started to move or rub, it is worth an exam.

On the other side of a good fit, a well-fitted denture should make ordinary moments ordinary again. You order the steak and cut it like everyone else at the table, and nobody there is thinking about your teeth. If there is a dinner you have been avoiding, that is what we would like to change.

Find Out Which Denture Your Mouth Can Support

You have planned your meals around your teeth for long enough. At your first visit, Dr. Cornelius or Dr. Geurkink examines your mouth with X-rays, asks what you want, and tells you which type of denture your mouth can support, so you know where you stand before you decide anything. Call (817) 431-4200 and tell us you are interested in dentures, and we will find you a time. You can fill out new-patient forms online before you arrive.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do dentures cost?

The cost depends on the type of denture and on whether extractions or implants are part of your plan, so a real number comes after your exam. Once you choose a plan, our treatment coordinator reviews costs and financing with you. We are a fee-for-service practice, and we estimate your insurance benefits before treatment begins.

Do you offer payment plans for dentures?

We accept CareCredit, a healthcare credit card for costs your insurance does not cover, and you can apply for Cherry financing through a short form on our website. Cherry decides approval and terms, so your payment depends on your application and the amount financed. We do not offer an in-house membership plan.

Will my insurance help pay for dentures?

Possibly, because your benefits still apply even though we are out of network. We are a fee-for-service practice with no insurer contracts, so we estimate your coverage before treatment and file the claim for you. Your insurer makes the final decision, and the estimate can change if your treatment plan does.

How is a denture different from a dental bridge?

A bridge is anchored by crowns on the teeth beside the gap, so it relies on those teeth. A partial denture fills the gap and sits among the teeth you still have, and a complete denture replaces an entire arch. At your exam, Dr. Cornelius or Dr. Geurkink tells you which one your mouth can support.

What is the difference between dentures and dental implants?

A conventional denture rests on your gums, while an implant is anchored in your jawbone. An implant-supported denture attaches to implants for more stability, and All-on-4 uses four implants to hold a fixed set of teeth you do not remove.

Can I get dentures if I still have some of my own teeth?

Yes. A partial denture is made for that case, filling the gaps while you keep the healthy teeth you have. If a few teeth cannot be saved, they can be removed as part of your plan, and sedation is available for that step. Your exam is where that decision gets made.

Does getting dentures hurt?

The fitting itself is not painful, and numbing and sedation are available if you want them. Some tenderness is normal while your mouth adjusts. If a spot stays sore, tell us, because the follow-up visits after your fitting are where we adjust the fit.

How long does it take to get used to new dentures?

Most people need a few weeks. New dentures can feel awkward at first, so start with soft foods and tell us about any sore spots. We schedule follow-up adjustments after the fitting, and those visits are the time to mention anything that still feels off.

How long do dentures last?

With good care, dentures last about five to ten years, and they may need relines or replacement along the way. Gums change over time, so a denture that fit well can loosen. Plan to have the fit checked once it passes five years, and sooner if it feels loose or causes a sore.

How do I care for my dentures?

Brush your dentures daily with a denture cleaner and rinse them after meals. Soak them overnight in water or a denture cleanser, never hot water, and most patients should leave them out while they sleep so their gums can rest. Your dentist can tell you if your case needs something different.