Restore Your Smile With Comfortable, Natural-Looking Dentures
Missing several or all of your teeth can affect how comfortably you eat, speak and smile. Dentures can replace missing teeth, restore support to your smile and help you feel more confident in everyday life.
At Engelhardt & Nelson Family Dentistry, Dr. Geoff Engelhardt and Dr. Raechel Nelson provide complete and partial dentures in Fort Collins, Colorado. Our doctors take time to evaluate your bite, remaining teeth, gums and treatment goals so your denture is designed around your individual needs.
Ready to replace missing teeth? Call 970-484-4890 today to schedule a denture consultation.
Complete Dentures
Complete dentures are removable appliances used when all of the teeth in the upper arch, lower arch or both arches are missing. They are custom made to fit your mouth and restore the appearance and function of a full set of teeth.
A well-planned complete denture can help:
- Restore your smile after extensive tooth loss
- Improve your ability to chew a wider variety of foods
- Support clearer speech
- Restore support to the lips and cheeks
- Improve confidence when smiling and speaking
Because every mouth is different, Dr. Geoff Engelhardt or Dr. Raechel Nelson will evaluate your oral health, bite and existing anatomy before recommending a complete denture.
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are used when some healthy natural teeth remain. They replace one or more missing teeth and are designed to work with the teeth you still have.
A partial denture may be a good option if you:
- Are missing several teeth but still have healthy natural teeth
- Want a removable tooth replacement option
- Are not ready for or not a candidate for another type of restoration
- Need to restore chewing function and support your bite
- Want to prevent nearby teeth from shifting into open spaces
Our doctors will evaluate the health and position of your remaining teeth to determine whether a partial denture can provide appropriate support.
Complete Dentures vs. Partial Dentures
The right type of denture depends primarily on how many natural teeth remain and whether those teeth are healthy enough to keep.
Complete dentures replace an entire arch of missing teeth. Partial dentures replace several missing teeth while working around the natural teeth that remain.
At Engelhardt & Nelson Family Dentistry, our goal is to preserve healthy natural teeth whenever possible. If some teeth can be predictably restored, Dr. Geoff Engelhardt or Dr. Raechel Nelson will discuss those options before recommending removal and a complete denture.
What to Expect When Getting Dentures
Your denture treatment begins with a careful evaluation of your teeth, gums, bite and oral health. We will also talk with you about your concerns, expectations and the foods or activities that are most important to you.
Depending on your situation, your treatment may include:
- Evaluating and treating remaining natural teeth
- Taking digital impressions or other detailed records
- Planning the shape, position and appearance of the replacement teeth
- Checking your bite and denture fit
- Making adjustments as your mouth adapts to the new appliance
Our team will explain each step so you understand what to expect throughout the process.
Replacing Teeth After Extractions
Some patients need dentures because several teeth are too damaged to save. If extractions are necessary, our doctors will discuss how tooth removal and replacement can be coordinated.
Dr. Geoff Engelhardt provides routine and selected more complex tooth extractions, while Dr. Raechel Nelson primarily provides routine extractions. If specialist care is appropriate, we will coordinate the referral and continue helping with the restorative phase of treatment.
Our goal is to make the transition from damaged or missing teeth to a functional replacement as clear and comfortable as possible.
Other Options for Replacing Missing Teeth
Dentures are not the only option for replacing missing teeth. Depending on your oral health and how many teeth are missing, our team may also discuss:
- Dental bridges
- Dental implant restorations
- Implant-supported or snap-in denture options
Dr. Geoff Engelhardt and Dr. Raechel Nelson restore dental implants but do not surgically place them. When implant placement is needed, that part of treatment is completed by a neighboring specialist, and our team coordinates the restorative care afterward.
Implant-Supported and Snap-In Denture Experience
For appropriate patients, dental implants can sometimes provide additional support for a denture. These restorations may improve stability compared with a traditional removable denture.
Dr. Geoff Engelhardt has completed approximately 50 implant-supported or snap-in denture cases, while Dr. Raechel Nelson has completed approximately 30 to 50 such cases. If this type of treatment may be appropriate for you, our doctors can explain the restorative options and coordinate implant placement with the appropriate specialist.
Experienced Dentists for Dentures and Partial Dentures
Designing dentures requires more than replacing missing teeth. The restoration must work with your bite, remaining teeth, gum tissue, facial support and everyday function.
Dr. Geoff Engelhardt has practiced dentistry since 1997 and has completed approximately 200 complete denture cases and 750 partial denture cases. He has completed approximately 500 hours of continuing education related to dentures, prosthodontics and comprehensive restorative care.
Dr. Raechel Nelson has practiced dentistry since 2009 and has completed approximately 100 complete denture cases and 300 partial denture cases. She has completed approximately 200 hours of continuing education related to dentures, prosthodontics and comprehensive restorative care.
Both doctors also bring extensive restorative experience to treatment planning, with approximately 10,000 restorative cases completed by each dentist. That broader experience helps them evaluate how dentures fit into the overall health and function of your smile.
A Conservative, Low-Pressure Approach to Tooth Replacement
At Engelhardt & Nelson Family Dentistry, we believe patients should understand all reasonable options before deciding how to replace missing teeth.
If healthy teeth can be preserved, we will discuss that. If a complete or partial denture is appropriate, we will explain why. If a bridge or implant-related restoration may better fit your needs, we will discuss those choices as well.
Our practice provides care in a quiet, low-pressure environment where patients have time to ask questions and make informed decisions about treatment.
Adjusting to New Dentures
New dentures can take time to get used to. Your mouth, tongue and facial muscles need time to adapt to the new appliance, and minor adjustments may be needed as you begin eating and speaking with your dentures.
During the adjustment period:
- Begin with softer foods and gradually add firmer foods as you become comfortable
- Cut food into smaller pieces when needed
- Practice speaking or reading aloud if certain words feel different
- Clean your dentures according to our instructions
- Contact us if you develop persistent sore spots or discomfort
Routine follow-up helps us monitor the fit of your dentures and the health of the tissues underneath them.
Caring for Your Dentures
Good denture care helps protect both the appliance and the tissues in your mouth. Even if you no longer have natural teeth, regular dental visits remain important.
Our team can check:
- The fit and condition of your dentures
- Your gums and other oral tissues
- Your bite and chewing comfort
- Any remaining natural teeth
- Changes that may require an adjustment or replacement appliance
If your dentures begin to feel loose, uncomfortable or difficult to use, call 970-484-4890 for an evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dentures
What is the difference between complete and partial dentures?
Complete dentures replace all of the teeth in an upper or lower arch. Partial dentures replace several missing teeth while working around natural teeth that remain.
Will dentures look natural?
Dentures are customized to your mouth and smile. The shape, size and appearance of the replacement teeth are planned to create a natural-looking result that complements your features.
Can I eat normally with dentures?
Dentures can restore significant chewing function, but there is usually an adjustment period. Starting with softer foods and gradually introducing firmer foods can help you become more comfortable using your new dentures.
How long does it take to get used to dentures?
Adjustment time varies from person to person. It is normal for eating and speaking to feel different at first. Follow-up adjustments can help improve comfort as your mouth adapts.
Can dentures be supported by dental implants?
Yes, implant-supported or snap-in dentures may be an option for some patients. Our doctors restore implant-supported dentures, while implant placement is completed by a neighboring specialist.
Do dentures need to be replaced?
Yes, dentures can wear or fit differently as your mouth changes over time. If your dentures become loose, uncomfortable or difficult to chew with, our doctors can evaluate whether an adjustment, reline or replacement is appropriate.
Do I still need dental visits if I have complete dentures?
Yes. Regular visits allow our team to evaluate the fit of your dentures and examine your gums, tongue and other oral tissues for changes.
How do I know whether dentures, a bridge or an implant restoration is right for me?
The best option depends on how many teeth are missing, the condition of your remaining teeth, your oral health and your goals. Dr. Geoff Engelhardt or Dr. Raechel Nelson will explain the advantages and limitations of each appropriate option.
Schedule a Denture Consultation in Fort Collins, Colorado
If missing teeth are making it harder to eat, speak or smile comfortably, Engelhardt & Nelson Family Dentistry can help. Dr. Geoff Engelhardt and Dr. Raechel Nelson provide complete dentures, partial dentures and implant-related restorative options designed around your individual needs.
Call 970-484-4890 today to schedule your denture consultation in Fort Collins, Colorado.