Dentures in Akron, PA
Losing teeth changes more than how you chew. It changes what you order at a restaurant, whether you smile in photographs, and how comfortable you feel talking to people up close.
Dr. Sara Gotwalt helps patients across Lancaster County get that back — with dentures and partials made to fit properly, and, when it’s the right fit, secured with dental implants placed right here in our Akron office.
Implant-Supported Dentures, Start to Finish
Here’s the part most practices can’t offer.
Dr. Sara places dental implants herself. That means if you want a denture anchored to implants rather than held in by suction and adhesive, you don’t get sent to a surgical center for the implants and back to a dentist for the denture. It happens in one office, planned by one person who knows how the finished denture needs to sit.
What that changes for you day to day:
- It doesn’t move when you eat or talk
- No adhesive
- You can eat things removable dentures make difficult — apples, corn, steak
- It preserves jawbone, which removable dentures don’t
- It doesn’t cover as much of the roof of your mouth, so food tastes like food again
Your Options
Full dentures replace all the upper or lower teeth. They can be removable, or secured to implants for stability.
Partial dentures replace several missing teeth while your remaining natural teeth stay in place. A partial is held by your own teeth — sometimes supported with a crown — or anchored to implants.
If you’re replacing only one or two teeth, a dental bridge or a single implant may suit you better. We’ll walk through all of it.
What to Expect
Consultation. We examine what’s remaining, discuss what you want to be able to do again, and lay out the options with real costs attached.
Impressions and fitting. Custom impressions and bite records go to the lab. We’ll work through shade and tooth shape with you — this is your face, and you should have a say in it.
Try-in. Before anything is finalized, you’ll see and try a version and tell us what to adjust. Nothing is finished until you’re happy with how it looks.
Placement and adjustment. New dentures almost always need adjusting in the first few weeks as your mouth adapts. That’s normal, it’s expected, and those visits are part of the process, not a sign something went wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will people be able to tell?
Well-made modern dentures are difficult to identify. Shade, shape, and proportion are chosen to suit your face — and you get a say before anything is finalized.
Will I be able to eat normally?
Mostly, with practice. Removable dentures have limits with very hard or sticky foods. Implant-supported dentures come much closer to natural chewing.
How long until they feel normal?
Several weeks to a couple of months for most people. Speaking usually settles first, eating takes a bit longer.
Do I still need to see the dentist if I have no natural teeth?
Yes. We check your gums, jaw, and denture fit, and we screen for oral cancer — which doesn’t require teeth to develop.
Can I have implants if I've worn dentures for years?
Often, though long-term denture wear causes bone loss that may need addressing first. Come in and we’ll take a look. It’s a common question and worth a real answer for your specific case.
My current dentures don't fit anymore. Can you help?
Usually. Relining an existing denture is often enough, and it’s much less expensive than replacement. Bring them in.
Let's Get You Comfortable Again
Whether you’re facing tooth loss for the first time or living with dentures that stopped fitting years ago, we’ll give you straight answers about your options.