Dentures
Missing some or all of your teeth can leave you feeling frustrated by dietary restrictions and uncomfortable with your smile.
Dr. Bruce Watkins can restore your smile with lifelike dentures, giving you back your dental function and self-confidence.
Discover why patients throughout Mishawaka and Granger with missing teeth come to our Elkhart, IN, practice for treatment.
Exploring Your Denture Options
In order to meet the diverse needs of our patients, we offer both traditional and implant-supported dentures. During your initial consultation with Dr. Watkins at our Elkhart, IN, dental office, he will conduct a thorough evaluation of your smile and ask about your dental needs, goals, and budget. Based on this discussion, he can recommend which type of denture is best suited to you.
Traditional Dentures
Traditional dentures do not require surgery and are typically the most affordable restorative option. This removable prosthetic consists of artificial teeth anchored into a gum-colored base. The prosthetic fits directly over the gums and is held in place by suction, clasps, or dental adhesives. While many patients require a full denture to restore all the teeth in a dental arch, some patients retain one or more healthy natural teeth. In these cases, we create a partial denture that secures around the remaining teeth with a metal framework filling in the gaps with added stability.
Implant-Supported Dentures
Implant-supported full and partial dentures are a fantastic way to restore missing teeth, proving patients with unrivaled stability and oral health benefits. They involve placing small titanium posts into the jaw that heal and become a permanent fixture in your mouth, replacing the absent tooth roots. Dental implants not only anchor your custom partial or complete denture, but they stimulate the tissues in your jaw to prevent bone recession. Dental implants are not appropriate for everyone, but are an optimal long-term solution for patients with healthy gums and sufficient bone material.
See How Partial Dentures Restore Your Smile
Our dentist designs a custom-fitting prosthetic around your natural teeth. Using premium restorative materials, our partial denture will look virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth.
The All-on-6 Technique Can Help Patients Qualify for Implant Dentures
If you do not meet the requirements to qualify for traditional dental implants, like having the necessary volume of bone tissue, we can provide an alternative solution. Using a technique known as All-on-6®, our dentist strategically places just six implants to support a complete denture. All-on-6 takes advantage of your existing bone tissue, giving a wider range of patients access to implant-supported dentures without preparatory procedures. A similar technique, All-on-4®, can place a denture using just four implants.
Deciding Between Your Options
Not sure where to begin? Let's walk through the advantages of traditional and implant dentures.
Why Might Traditional Dentures
Be a Good Choice for Me?
Traditional dentures are an enduring option for our Granger-area dentures patients because of their:
Faster Qualification
It's common to lose jawbone tissue after you lose a tooth. Without that tissue, your implants will not have enough material to remain stable. Some patients do not want to undergo grafting to fix that, making traditional dentures a preferred option.
Quick Treatment
Don't want to wait for your implants to fuse with your gum and jaw? With traditional dentures, our dentist can help you enjoy a new smile in a few short weeks, rather than months.
Easier Process
Some patients simply aren't comfortable with the idea of oral surgery or waiting for additional dental care. If you are unsure about dental implants, remember you still have the option of our high-quality traditional dentures.
Why Might Implant-Supported Dentures
Be a Good Choice for Me?
Our Mishawaka-area dentures patients often seek implant dentures, including options like All-on-6®, because they have benefits like:
Improved Health
Traditional dentures are excellent for the basics, but they cannot prevent bone tissue loss, which goes hand in hand with missing teeth. Only dental implants can protect your bone health for years to come.
Stable Restorations
Like many people seeking dentures in Elkhart, you may not want to struggle with slipping or sliding dentures. When you opt for implant dentures, you can enjoy lasting stability and peace of mind.
No Facial Changes
Did you know that missing a tooth or teeth can affect your facial appearance? That's because depleted bone material can lead to a sinking appearance around your cheeks and jaw. Implants prevent this, though, by stimulating your bone.
Restore Your Smile With Help From Dr. Watkins
Dr. Watkins and his team are dedicated to providing you with a customized, comfortable denture to restore your missing teeth. Using the most streamlined and accurate dental technology, we offer successful long-term solutions that exceed our patient's expectations. Dr. Watkins has extensive experience in advanced restorative dentistry, achieving Diplomat level training (the highest distinction) with the International Dental Implant Association. You can expect nothing less than top-of-the-line dental care with our knowledgeable team.
Get started on your denture treatment today with Watkins Family Dentistry. You can request your consultation at our Elkhart dental practice or call:
We Help Elkhart Patients Feel Comfortable at the Dentist
Joshua Ferrier
Elkhart, IN
2023
Wow! This dentist is the real deal! He is probably one of THE most thorough dentists I've ever been to! He does amazing work! I've been to other Dentist's that rush you out the door and could care less about the quality of work they do for you. Not Dr. Watkins!...Quality over quantity! If you are looking for an EXCELLENT dentist go see Dr. Watkins! His staff is friendly. The building is beautiful! The dental chairs are so soft and comfortable! All around great experience!
View on GoogleJan Larson
Elkhart, IN
2023
Love my dentist...staff is super, always a great experience.. been seeing Dr Watkins since 2012 and never ever have had a bad experience.
Highly recommend, especially for people like me who are very sensitive and (used to be) nervous. And superior quality with everything.
Enjoy Easier Visits With Sedation Dentistry
Dental care doesn't have to cause anxiety. At our practice, we take a gentler approach by offering oral conscious sedation, which is a pill you'll take before your visit to help relax. It also goes beyond treating just nerves. Many times, we can use sedation to help Elkhart, IN, dental patients who struggle with other problems, like repetitive motions or a strong gag reflex.
We can determine if sedation is right for you during a consultation. Our team will also explain how oral conscious sedation works and any other information you might need to know, like the fact that you will need someone to take you to and from your appointment.
To learn more, contact our office serving Mishawaka and Granger, or call us at
(574) 293-9832
An Elkhart Dental Team That Truly Cares
"This is a wonderful dentist office. With lots of caring people that work there. They go out of your way to make you feel comfortable. And do a professional job. I would recommend this dentist to anybody and everybody." Edward Detwiler
Can I Afford Dentures?
The cost of dentures varies from patient to patient, so we will first need to examine your smile before giving you a personal estimate. However, our practice strives to make dental care as affordable as possible for Elkhart dentures patients with several flexible payment options. We accept most major dental insurance plans and will work directly with your provider to maximize your benefits. If you are uninsured or have remaining out-of-pocket expenses, you can finance your treatment through CareCredit® or LendingClub®. These plans allow you to make low- to no-interest monthly payments towards your dentures without breaking your budget.
Technology-Assisted Consultations Help You Explore Candidacy and Treatment Options
Developing Your Custom Treatment Plan
Our high-tech equipment allows us to make the most accurate diagnosis of your oral condition and recommend preliminary procedures that can restore your candidacy for implant dentures.
During your consultation, Dr. Watkins will use our in-office cone beam computerized tomography scanner to analyze your jaw and determine your best options for treatment. Certain factors like low bone density and the location of your sinus cavities can impact the success of dental implants.
To make your experience as easy as possible, we use digital impressions. Not only are they precise, but they're far more comfortable than the putty impressions that are often used to plan dental treatments.
The Dentures Treatment Timeline
While denture treatment at our Elkhart practice is custom-tailored and depends on a patient's particular needs, the process typically involves two to three stages.
Treatment will look different if you're receiving implant dentures, which take three to six months to fuse into place. This time is an excellent investment in your results.
What If My Dentures Break?
/
No need to stress — we also offer repair services for our Elkhart dentures patients. That means even if an accident happens, you can trust our dentist and the staff at his judgment-free office to help you find a solution. After all, our team is dedicated to helping you maintain a happy, healthy smile.
"The whole staff is super friendly."
Tammi Youngquist
Elkhart, IN
2024
Dr. Watkins is very knowledgeable and down to earth and the whole staff is super friendly.
View on GoogleJustin Gross
Elkhart, IN
2024
Very nice and knowledgeable great staff
View on Google
