Resources

Dentures

Explore our resources to gain a comprehensive overview of dental procedures you received and their benefits for a stress-free dental experience.

Home / Resources / Dentures / What To Expect

What To Expect

div-feather
icon-lds-overview
Overview
icon-lds-what-to-expect
What To Expect
icon-lds-post-op-instructions
Post-Op Instructions
icon-lds-dos-and-donts
Denture Care

At Light Dental Studios, our commitment to providing comprehensive dental care extends to having an in-house denture lab, ensuring that our patients receive the highest quality service and personalized attention for their denture needs. Our in-house denture lab is a testament to our dedication to convenience, efficiency, and superior craftsmanship.

dentures-what-to-expect
Our patient at Light Dental Studios is wearing her dentures.

When you choose Light Dental Studios for your denture needs, you can expect a seamless and collaborative process. Our experienced team of denture specialists works hand in hand with our skilled dental professionals to create dentures that are not just functional but also aesthetically pleasing. This close coordination ensures that your dentures are custom-fit to your unique oral anatomy, providing the comfort and confidence you deserve.

What does the in-house denture lab mean?

One of the key advantages of our in-house denture lab is the speed at which we can deliver results. Traditional denture fabrication can involve multiple visits and lengthy wait times. However, with our in-house lab, we significantly reduce the turnaround time, allowing you to enjoy your new smile sooner.

Moreover, our denture specialists use cutting-edge materials and techniques to craft dentures that are not only comfortable but also highly durable. We understand that your dentures play a crucial role in your daily life, from eating to speaking and smiling. That's why we go the extra mile to ensure that your dentures are built to withstand the rigors of everyday use.

At Light Dental Studios, we believe that your smile should reflect your unique personality and preferences. Therefore, our in-house denture lab offers a range of options for customization, from the shade and shape of your dentures to any additional features you may desire. Our goal is to ensure that your dentures look and feel as natural as possible, so you can confidently face the world with a smile.

What To Expect After Immediate Dentures

UPPER DENTURE FIT – Your new denture may feel awkward or bulky. This is normal, and you will eventually become accustomed to wearing it. Initially, you may be asked to wear your dentures all the time. Although this may be uncomfortable at first, it’s the quickest way to identify areas that may need adjustments.

LOWER DENTURE FIT – Unlike upper dentures that has the entire roof of the mouth to provide surface area for retention, your lower denture relies solely on your jaw to keep it in place. This is due to tongue space limiting the surface area to which the denture can rest. This means lower dentures are less retentive without natural teeth or implants to use as support. Therefore, if restoring natural teeth as anchors is not an option, implant-supported lower denture is recommended. However, if this is not a viable option for you, you may need denture adhesives to keep the lower in place to minimize rocking, shifting, and/or dislodging during function.

DENTURE TEETH – Since full dentures rely on soft tissue (not teeth or bone) for support, the denture teeth are limited in what they’re capable of in terms of function. Front teeth are for esthetics and speech more so than for chewing. If you have both upper and lower complete dentures, it is recommended that you rely on back denture teeth only for chewing (see Diet section below for details). Attempting to use the front denture teeth to bite a sandwich, for example, may lead to dislodging the dentures out of your mouth as they are not anchored to anything but soft tissue and so it can move when too much pressure is applied to the front rather than back

SORE SPOTS – If the denture puts too much pressure on a particular area, that spot will become sore. Your dentist will adjust the denture to fit more comfortably. After making adjustments, your dentist will probably recommend that you take denture out of the mouth before going to bed and replace it in the morning.

DIET – Denture teeth are different from natural teeth in that they rest on your gums (soft tissue) rather than anchored to your jaw (hard tissue). It is estimated that natural teeth can withstand 6 or more times the chewing force compared to denture teeth. As a result, chewing function is significantly diminished compared to that of nature teeth. Eat soft foods and cut foods into small pieces before placing them on the back-denture teeth for chewing. Attempting to use front denture teeth may result in dislodging it from the mouth. Avoid sticky and hard foods. Always thoroughly rinse the denture before placing it in your mouth after each meal.

SPEECH – If you find it difficult to pronounce certain words, practice reading out loud. Repeat the words that give you trouble. With time, you will become accustomed to speaking properly with your denture.

HOME CARE – Remove dentures when going to sleep after 2-3 weeks. Massage your gums nightly to improve blood circulation after wearing your denture during the day. Clean your dentures daily to avoid permanent stain formation. A denture could lose its proper shape if it is not kept moist. Store them in a case with a few drops of water to keep it moist. Look for denture cleansers with the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance at your local drug store.

open-saturdays-evenings

We know life gets busy, and finding time for a dental visit can be tough. That's why Light Dental Studios now offers same-day, Saturday, and evening appointments. 

Be in the know

Frequently Asked Questions

div-feather

General Information

Light Dental Studios is a comprehensive dental care provider that has been serving the Puget Sound area since 1971.

We have 30 convenient locations throughout the Puget Sound area to serve you better.

Our 30 locations are spread across the Puget Sound area including AuburnBellevueBonney LakeBurienCovingtonFircrestKentLaceyLakewoodLynnwoodMaple ValleyLilly Road in OlympiaOlympiaPacific Avenue in ParklandPuyallupOrthodontics in PuyallupRentonRuddell Road in Lacey6th Avenue in TacomaTacoma Mall Boulevard in Tacoma, and University Place to provide easy access to quality dental care.
 

Light Dental Studios offers a range of services including general dentistry, pediatric dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, in-house denture lab, orthodontics, oral surgery, and periodontics.

Yes, we offer specialized care for our younger patients to ensure they have a smile worth showing off at every age.

We offer a range of cosmetic treatments including cosmetic bonding, Invisalign®, dental BOTOX®, teeth whitening, veneers, and more to help your smile shine brighter than a polished molar!

Appointments & Operations

You can schedule an appointment by calling any of our 30 locations or by visiting our appointment page on our website.
Operating hours may vary by location. Please check the specific location page for details.
Yes, we do provide emergency dental services. Please call our emergency after-hours number at (253) 719-3070

Disclaimer: Please note that the provided information above is based on general knowledge, and it's always recommended to consult with our doctors for personalized advice and recommendations regarding your or your child's specific dental needs and conditions. For any questions or concerns, please call our office.

TESTIMONIALS

Every Smile Has A
Different Story.

5 Star
4.7
Based on 395 reviews
powered by Google
OtakuRo
22:42 17 Oct 24
Great service, great providers and staff.
Jin Xu
03:14 13 Oct 24
My wife cracked her tooth and got a crown from Dr. Udod and Hailey. We were beyond happy with the care we received here. Hailey went out of her way to make my wife felt comfortable and at ease. Dr. Udod was quick, gentle, and meticulous with his work. Both of them were friendly and professional. It was a great experience for us!
Joanna Felt
00:14 12 Oct 24
Came in for chipped teeth from fall. Harleen was so kind and made every effort to make me comfortable. Dr Lee explained what the process was and what could happen down the road with the tooth. From beginning to end it was 45 minutes and I was back to work. I was so happy made appointment for teeth cleaning in 2 weeks. Great experience for someone who is not big fan of going to dentist 😊😊
Ellie Bates
19:05 04 Oct 24
Dr. Benoit and Allie were so kind and patient. Super quick appointment with a comfort focus.
Jennifer Cope
00:35 04 Oct 24
What a wonderful experience we have had. Our experience was the best !
David Caprara
17:28 19 Sep 24
I have been going here for 10 years. Why? Because of their excellent customer service and phenomenal technical expertise. Starting with the front office. They hire people like Shailee, who takes the time to answer my questions with a smile. You can tell they hire people who like working here and that is seen with the excellent customer service. Shailee took the time to explain a refund I was getting and she didn't act like it was a bother. My dentist, Dr. Benoit and Hailey, her dental assistant, provided exceptionally great service explaining every step in the process of taking care of my cavity. Hailey was a great help with the doctor by being ahead of every next step and working well with the doctor. Dr. Benoit seemed like she was a perfectionist and very detailed in her work. Yet she was very pleasant to talk with even taking time to explain what she was doing. It is like that every time I come in for a visit. The people may change but you get the same excellent service each time you go in there. Great organization 👏 👍 👌 🙌 ❤️
Bruce McDowell
16:13 12 Sep 24
I have found my experiences with Light Dental to be very positive. Dr. Yin, who is giving me a tooth implant, and her assistant Jan have been great. They clearly explain everything that will be happening. The procedure itself thus far (implant base is in) has been painless. They are also good humored and nice to be around. Dr. Yin’s CV is amazing.
tylor dyer
22:11 16 Aug 24
The dentists are good at their jobs, but the real shining stars are their support staff. I have severe dental anxiety and have never gotten through dentist appointments without crying, often hysterically. Both Ashley's (hygienist and assistant) are so warm, friendly, supportive, and accommodating. Kate at the front desk is validating, advocates for patients, and makes me feel so heard and cared about! All three of them have gone above and beyond with me to make me feel safe, comfortable, and important. Often times I feel like a set of teeth at the dentist, but they make me feel like a whole human. They remember me when I walk through the doors or call. Going to the dentist is still an ordeal for me, but I am so grateful for them. I live in Olympia knowing full well Light Dental Studios has a (probably just as great) location so much closer to me, but they don't have the Ashley's or Kate!

OUR TEAM OF DENTAL PROFESSIONALS

Awards & Affiliations

div-feather