Patient video
Welcoming and Wonderful Practice
A patient shares the welcoming atmosphere and positive experience they found at our Port Dover office.

Port Dover Family Dentistry
Missing several teeth or all of them? Glen Meyer patients can compare complete and partial dentures, the fitting stages and the adjustment period.
Let’s get you smiling
Tell us how we can help. Our team will follow up to confirm a time.
Seeing patients from Glen Meyer and the surrounding countryside at our Port Dover office
Browse all dental services for Glen MeyerFull arch or a few gaps
A complete denture replaces all the teeth in an upper or lower arch, resting on the gums and underlying bone. A partial denture fills gaps between remaining natural teeth, often using clasps or attachments for support. Each has different requirements for fit, maintenance and how the remaining teeth must be cared for.
Patients from Glen Meyer who are weighing either type can meet with the dentist at our Port Dover office to review their mouth and discuss alternatives. You will also learn about the appointments involved, from impressions and try-ins to the adjustments that commonly follow delivery.

Evaluating your mouth
If natural teeth remain, the dentist checks them for decay, gum disease and looseness, since a partial denture depends on healthy anchor teeth to stay stable. Some teeth may need treatment or removal before a denture is made. The decision between a partial and a complete denture largely depends on which teeth can be reliably kept for the years ahead.
The shape of the ridges, the amount of supporting bone and the way your jaws meet all affect how steady a denture will feel. If you already wear one, bring it so its fit and wear can be reviewed. Mention sore spots, difficulty chewing certain foods or problems with speech that you have noticed with previous appliances.
Partial versus complete
A partial denture can restore chewing and appearance while preserving the natural teeth you still have. It does require careful cleaning around clasps and supporting teeth to prevent decay and gum problems. The dentist can explain different partial designs, how they attach and how they are likely to feel when you speak, chew and smile.
When few teeth remain, or those left are not healthy enough to support a partial, a complete denture may be suggested. Lower complete dentures often feel less stable than upper ones because of the tongue and the shape of the jaw. Ask whether implant support might be an option to improve retention, and what that additional treatment would involve.
Making the denture
The process usually starts with impressions and bite records, followed by a try-in stage where you can see the tooth arrangement and shade before the denture is finished. This is the right time to share opinions about appearance. Ask how many visits are expected so you can plan trips into Port Dover around work, family and other commitments.
When the denture is delivered, the dentist checks its fit and how your teeth come together. Sore spots often develop in the first days or weeks and can usually be relieved with small adjustments. Return for those appointments rather than trying to file or reshape the denture at home, which can damage it or make the fit worse.
Living with dentures
Start with soft foods cut into small pieces and try to chew on both sides at once. Reading aloud can help your speech settle. Extra saliva and a feeling of fullness in the mouth are common at first. Most people find dentures gradually feel more natural, though the time needed to adapt varies quite a bit from person to person.
Clean your dentures every day and take them out overnight unless you are told otherwise, to give the tissues a rest. Gums and bone continue to change over time, so the fit may loosen. Regular checkups allow the dentist to examine the tissues, check the denture and discuss a reline or replacement when it becomes necessary.
Planning your appointment
Call our Port Dover office to arrange a denture consultation. Let the team know whether you currently wear a denture, how old it is and what problems or goals you would like to discuss.
Bring any existing denture, a list of current medications and your questions about the expected number of appointments and the time between them.
Before you book
Have a question about your situation? Our team can help you plan a visit.
It depends on how many healthy teeth remain and whether they are strong enough to support a partial. The dentist will examine your teeth, gums and bone, explain which option is suitable and walk you through the reasons behind the recommendation.
Most people need some time to adapt. Speaking and eating usually improve with practice over several weeks. Sore spots are common early on and can generally be relieved with adjustments at the office, so keep the follow-up appointments you are given.
Many dentists recommend removing them overnight to rest the gums and allow tissues to recover, but advice can vary with your situation. Follow the instructions given for your particular denture and ask the team if you have concerns about going without it.
Partials need careful cleaning around clasps and supporting teeth, because plaque can gather there. With good daily hygiene and regular checkups, the risk of decay and gum problems can be reduced. Ask the team to show you how to clean these areas well.
It varies with wear, care and natural changes in the mouth. Fit may change as gums and bone remodel over the years. Regular reviews help determine when a reline, repair or new denture may be needed to keep chewing comfortable and efficient.
Implant-supported dentures snap onto or attach to implants for added stability. Glen Meyer denture wearers can learn who may benefit and what it involves.
A cracked plate, missing tooth or loose fit can make dentures hard to wear. Glen Meyer patients can learn when to seek a repair, a reline or a new denture.
Recognized year after year
Best Dentists in Norfolk
Proudly recognized among Norfolk’s top-rated dental practices for six consecutive years.

2021 Winner

2022 Winner

2023 Winner

2024 Winner

2025 Winner

2026 Winner
Stories from our patients
Watch a patient’s experience and browse more five-star reviews from people who have visited our Port Dover dental clinic.
Patient video
A patient shares the welcoming atmosphere and positive experience they found at our Port Dover office.
Google reviews
Swipe or use the arrows
Read all reviewsYour next visit can start today
New patients and CDCP patients are welcome. Tell us how we can help and our Port Dover dental team will follow up with you.
Evening appointments Monday and Tuesday