Dentures and Implant-Supported Dentures in Joliet, IL

Missing several or all of your teeth can affect far more than your smile. Tooth loss can make eating more difficult, change speech, reduce confidence, and alter the way your remaining teeth and jaws function.

At Smile League Dental in Joliet, Dr. Morolayo Oluyemi, DMD, MPH, BDS, provides several options for replacing missing teeth, including complete dentures, partial dentures, immediate dentures, dental implants, and implant-supported dentures.

There is no single type of denture that is best for every patient.

The right solution depends on how many teeth you are missing, the health of the remaining teeth, available bone, gum health, your ability to maintain the restoration, your treatment goals, insurance coverage, and budget.

Smile League Dental
3330 Mall Loop Drive
Joliet, IL 60431
Phone: 815-782-6243

Call 815-782-6243 to schedule a denture consultation.

Why Choose Dr. Morolayo Oluyemi for Dentures?

Dr. Morolayo Oluyemi, known to many patients as Dr. Mo, is the lead dentist at Smile League Dental.

She holds DMD, MPH, and BDS degrees and approaches tooth replacement from both a clinical and preventive-health perspective. Rather than simply filling an empty space, Dr. Oluyemi evaluates how a proposed denture will function with your remaining teeth, gums, jaw, bite, and long-term oral-health needs.

Smile League Dental currently provides complete dentures, partial dentures, implant-over-denture treatment, implant restorations, and full-arch implant options as part of its comprehensive dental services.

Patients considering dentures can also benefit from Smile League Dental’s digital technology. The current denture workflow uses CEREC Primescan digital scanning to obtain detailed measurements and help create a customized fit.

Which Type of Denture Is Right for You?

The word “dentures” covers several different types of tooth replacement.

Some replace an entire arch of teeth. Others replace only several missing teeth. Some are placed immediately following extractions, while others are stabilized by dental implants.

Your consultation is designed to determine which approach fits your circumstances.

Complete Dentures

Complete dentures, sometimes called full dentures, replace all of the teeth in the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both.

They rest on the tissues covering the jaw and are individually designed to reproduce the position and appearance of natural teeth.

Complete dentures may be appropriate for patients who have already lost all of their teeth or whose remaining teeth cannot predictably be maintained.

A conventional complete denture does not require implant surgery, which can make it an appropriate option for patients who prefer removable tooth replacement or for whom implant treatment is not suitable.

The American Dental Association identifies complete dentures as one of the principal forms of removable tooth replacement and notes that treatment decisions should take into account bone loss, the number of teeth being replaced, cost, and individual patient needs and preferences.

Partial Dentures

You do not need to lose every tooth to benefit from a denture.

A removable partial denture replaces several missing teeth while preserving remaining natural teeth.

Smile League Dental offers partial dentures for patients who have usable natural teeth but need to restore gaps created by tooth loss.

Depending on the design, a partial denture may use acrylic, a framework, flexible material, or other components to support the replacement teeth.

A partial denture can help improve chewing and appearance while occupying spaces that would otherwise remain empty.

Partial Dentures Versus Dental Implants

For patients missing several teeth, both partial dentures and dental implants may deserve consideration.

Partial dentures are removable and generally require less invasive treatment. Dental implants require surgery but can provide fixed or more stable tooth replacement in appropriate patients.

The right choice depends on bone availability, gum health, number and location of missing teeth, cost, medical considerations, treatment time, and personal preference.

Smile League Dental evaluates these factors before recommending one treatment simply because it is more expensive or technically advanced.

Immediate Dentures After Tooth Extraction

Patients who require removal of multiple visible teeth frequently worry about being without teeth while their mouth heals.

Immediate dentures are designed to address that concern.

Smile League Dental offers immediate dentures that can be placed following tooth extraction so qualifying patients do not necessarily have to spend the initial healing period without a visible smile.

Immediate dentures require different planning from conventional dentures because the restoration is prepared before the tissues have finished healing.

Will an Immediate Denture Need Adjustments?

Yes, adjustments are common.

The gums and underlying bone change during healing after teeth are removed. As swelling decreases and tissues remodel, an immediate denture that initially fit one way may begin to feel different.

Adjustment, relining, or eventual replacement may therefore be necessary.

This is an important distinction for patients comparing an immediate denture with a final conventional denture. Immediate dentures provide teeth during the healing period, but healing itself changes the anatomy supporting the appliance.

Implant-Supported Dentures in Joliet

Some patients like the affordability and full-arch coverage of dentures but want greater stability than a conventional removable denture provides.

Dental implants can sometimes provide that additional support.

An implant-supported denture uses implants placed in the jaw to help retain or support the prosthesis. Smile League Dental specifically offers implant-over-denture and full-arch implant treatment options.

Compared with a traditional denture that relies primarily on the gums and underlying tissues for support, an implant-retained design can reduce unwanted movement for appropriate patients.

Who May Benefit From Implant-Supported Dentures?

Implant-supported dentures may be worth considering when:

• Most or all teeth are missing
• A conventional lower denture moves excessively
• Denture stability makes chewing difficult
• The patient wants greater retention
• Adequate bone is present or can appropriately be managed
• Medical and oral-health conditions allow implant treatment

Implants are not automatically appropriate for every denture patient.

Dr. Oluyemi evaluates bone, gum health, medical history, medications, smoking or vaping, oral hygiene, bite forces, and other relevant factors before recommending implant treatment.

Removable Versus Fixed Implant-Supported Teeth

Implant-supported tooth replacement can involve different designs.

Some restorations are removable by the patient for cleaning. Other full-arch implant restorations are fixed and can only be removed professionally.

These approaches involve different maintenance requirements, implant numbers, costs, anatomy, and prosthetic designs.

The consultation should determine which approach is clinically appropriate rather than assuming every patient should receive the same full-arch solution.

The Denture Consultation Process

A good denture begins with understanding the mouth it must function in.

Oral Examination

Dr. Oluyemi evaluates the teeth, gums, bite, existing restorations, areas of missing teeth, and condition of the tissues that will support the denture.

If natural teeth remain, an important question is whether they can predictably be maintained.

A tooth should not be removed simply because a denture is being considered if preserving it offers a meaningful functional advantage.

Discussing Your Goals

Patients have different priorities.

One person may want an affordable removable solution. Another may be primarily concerned about stability. Someone else may want to avoid being without teeth during healing, while another patient may be interested in implants.

Those preferences influence treatment planning.

Digital Impressions and Measurements

Smile League Dental uses Primescan digital technology as part of its denture workflow to obtain measurements and information used in designing the restoration.

Digital scanning can eliminate or reduce the need for some conventional impression procedures depending on the clinical situation.

Denture Try-In

In appropriate cases, a preliminary setup or try-in may be used before the final denture is completed.

This gives the dentist and patient an opportunity to evaluate factors such as tooth position, appearance, bite, and fit before the final prosthesis is processed. Smile League describes this as a wax “teeth try-in” within its current denture process.

Final Delivery and Adjustments

When the denture is ready, Dr. Oluyemi evaluates its fit, bite, function, and comfort.

New dentures often require an adaptation period, and follow-up adjustments are a normal part of denture treatment.

What Do New Dentures Feel Like?

Even a well-designed denture is different from natural teeth.

Your tongue, cheeks, lips, chewing muscles, and speech patterns need time to adapt.

It is common for new dentures to initially feel larger or more noticeable than expected. Speaking and eating may also feel unfamiliar during the adjustment period.

Begin with foods that are easier to manage and follow the instructions provided for your particular denture.

If a specific area becomes persistently painful, contact Smile League Dental rather than attempting to grind, bend, or modify the denture yourself.

How Should You Clean Dentures?

Dentures require daily cleaning just like natural teeth.

The American Dental Association recommends daily cleaning to remove food, plaque, and biofilm. When removable dentures are not being worn, they should generally be stored in water or an appropriate denture solution to prevent them from drying out. Hot or boiling water should not be used because it can distort the material.

Follow the instructions provided for the specific material used in your denture.

Patients with implant-supported dentures also need to clean carefully around implant components and supporting tissues.

Should You Sleep in Your Dentures?

Most removable-denture patients should give their oral tissues time without the denture each day unless Dr. Oluyemi gives different instructions for a specific clinical reason.

Immediate dentures are a notable exception during the first stage following extraction because postoperative instructions may require them to remain in place initially.

Follow the instructions provided for your particular procedure rather than applying general denture advice to an immediate postoperative case.

What If Your Dentures Become Loose?

The shape of the mouth does not remain permanently unchanged.

Bone and gum tissues can remodel after tooth loss, causing a denture that once fit well to become loose.

Depending on the circumstances, treatment may involve adjustment, relining, repair, or replacement.

Denture adhesive should not be used indefinitely to compensate for a severely inaccurate fit. The ADA notes that adhesives are not a substitute for evaluation of an ill-fitting denture that may need to be relined or replaced.

Persistent soreness, movement, difficulty eating, cracks, broken teeth, or significant changes in fit should be evaluated.

How Long Do Dentures Last?

Dentures are not lifetime appliances.

Materials wear, artificial teeth change, and—most importantly—the tissues supporting the denture change over time.

The American College of Prosthodontists guidance summarized by the ADA recommends professional evaluation for replacement when problems develop such as chronic irritation, instability, inability to wear the denture, damaged components, changes in supporting teeth, or when the denture has been in service for more than five years.

That does not mean every denture automatically fails on its fifth birthday.

It means older dentures should be evaluated rather than assuming they remain appropriate indefinitely.

Dentures Versus Dental Implants

Traditional dentures and dental implants solve related problems in very different ways.

A conventional denture is removable and does not require implant surgery. It may therefore involve a lower initial investment and shorter treatment process.

Dental implants are placed into the jaw and can support an individual crown, bridge, or implant-retained denture. They generally involve greater initial treatment and require sufficient bone and appropriate medical conditions.

For some patients, the best answer lies between the two approaches: an implant-supported denture.

The objective should be to identify which solution provides an appropriate balance of stability, function, maintenance, treatment complexity, and cost for you.

How Much Do Dentures Cost in Joliet?

Denture cost depends on the actual treatment required.

Factors can include:

• Complete versus partial dentures
• Immediate versus conventional dentures
• Materials and design
• Number and condition of remaining teeth
• Extractions before denture treatment
• Relines or adjustments
• Dental implants
• Implant attachments
• Insurance coverage

A conventional removable denture and an implant-supported full-arch restoration involve very different procedures and therefore should not be represented by one generic advertised price.

Smile League Dental can provide a treatment-specific estimate after evaluating your mouth and determining which option is appropriate.

Dental Insurance and Dentures

Smile League Dental currently participates with numerous PPO dental plans, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Careington, Cigna, Delta Dental, Guardian, Humana, MetLife, UnitedHealthcare, United Concordia, and Principal. It also lists Medicare Advantage participation and limited Medicaid services.

Denture benefits vary by policy.

A plan may impose frequency limits, deductibles, waiting periods, annual maximums, prior-authorization requirements, or restrictions on replacement dentures.

Call  815-782-6243 with the exact information on your insurance card so current participation and available benefits can be reviewed.

Does Illinois Medicaid Cover Dentures?

Illinois Medicaid dental benefits depend on the patient’s eligibility category, age, specific service, program requirements, and authorization rules.

The state’s current 2026 dental fee schedule includes codes for complete, immediate, partial, repair, and reline services, but inclusion on a state fee schedule should not be interpreted as a guarantee that a particular patient or managed-care plan will cover a specific denture.

Smile League Dental provides limited Medicaid services and requires Medicaid patients to call the office to confirm both plan acceptance and service availability.

Financing Denture Treatment

Smile League Dental does not currently offer an in-house payment plan.

Qualifying patients may use CareCredit for eligible out-of-pocket dental expenses. Six-month financing is commonly offered, with some qualifying patients potentially eligible for longer financing arrangements through CareCredit and Cherry Finance.

Approval and financing terms are determined by the financing provider.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dentures in Joliet

Does Smile League Dental Make Full Dentures?

Yes. Smile League Dental provides complete dentures for patients who are missing all teeth in an upper or lower arch.

Does Smile League Dental Offer Partial Dentures?

Yes. Partial dentures are available for patients who are missing several teeth but still have natural teeth that can be retained.

Can I Get Dentures the Same Day My Teeth Are Removed?

Smile League Dental offers immediate dentures for appropriate patients.

These are prepared in advance and placed in connection with tooth extraction so the patient can have teeth during the initial healing period. Additional adjustments are typically necessary as the tissues heal.

Does Smile League Dental Offer Implant-Supported Dentures?

Yes. Smile League Dental lists implant-over-denture and full-arch implant options among its services.

Are Implant-Supported Dentures Better Than Regular Dentures?

They can provide greater stability for appropriate patients, but they require implant treatment and generally cost more.

The better option depends on bone, health, treatment goals, maintenance preferences, and budget.

Do You Use Digital Scanning for Dentures?

Smile League Dental uses CEREC Primescan digital technology as part of its denture measurement and design workflow.

Will New Dentures Need Adjustments?

Often, yes.

Your oral tissues and muscles need time to adapt, and specific pressure areas may require adjustment. Immediate dentures can require additional changes because the gums and bone remodel following extractions.

Can I Repair a Broken Denture Myself?

You should not attempt to permanently glue, grind, bend, or modify a denture yourself.

Home repairs can alter the fit or make professional repair more difficult. Contact the office so the damage can be evaluated.

Why Does My Old Denture Keep Becoming Loose?

The jawbone and gum tissues can change after tooth loss.

Those anatomical changes may cause a denture that previously fit well to become unstable. It may need an adjustment, reline, or replacement.

Should I Use Denture Adhesive?

A small amount of appropriate adhesive can improve retention in some cases, but adhesive should not be used to disguise a denture that no longer fits properly.

The ADA recommends professional evaluation when significant adhesive is repeatedly needed to keep a denture in place.

Can I Sleep With My Dentures In?

Most removable dentures should generally be removed for part of each day so the tissues can rest and the appliance can be cleaned.

Follow Dr. Oluyemi’s specific instructions, particularly if you have just received an immediate denture after extractions.

Does Dental Insurance Pay for Dentures?

Many dental insurance plans provide some denture benefits, but deductibles, annual maximums, frequency restrictions, waiting periods, and other limitations can apply.

Smile League Dental can help verify your available benefits.

Does Smile League Dental Accept Medicaid for Dentures?

Smile League Dental provides limited Medicaid services.

Because Medicaid benefits and Smile League’s available Medicaid services vary, patients should call 815-782-6243 before scheduling rather than assuming a denture is covered.

How Do I Know Whether I Need Dentures or Dental Implants?

The decision depends on the number and location of missing teeth, remaining natural teeth, bone support, gum health, medical history, budget, and whether you prefer removable or fixed tooth replacement.

A consultation allows Dr. Oluyemi to compare the reasonable options for your individual mouth.

Schedule a Denture Consultation in Joliet

Living with missing teeth or an unstable denture does not mean you have only one treatment option.

Dr. Morolayo Oluyemi can evaluate your remaining teeth, gum health, bone, current dentures, bite, medical history, and goals and explain whether complete dentures, partial dentures, immediate dentures, implant-supported dentures, dental implants, or another restorative approach makes sense.

Smile League Dental serves patients from Joliet, Plainfield, Shorewood, Lockport, Crest Hill, New Lenox, and surrounding Will County communities.

Smile League Dental
3330 Mall Loop Drive
Joliet, IL 60431

Phone: 815-782-6243

Call 815-782-6243 today to schedule a denture consultation and discuss the tooth-replacement options available to you.