Missing teeth change more than your smile. Meals get harder, some words come out differently, and many people slowly stop smiling in photos altogether. Modern dentures fix all of that, and they have come a long way from the loose, clacking dentures your grandparents knew. At New Street Dental in Bethlehem, Dr. Tunney fits full dentures, partial dentures, fixed bridges, and implant-supported options, then stays with you through every adjustment until the fit is genuinely comfortable.
That last part matters more than anything else on this page: a denture is not a product you buy, it is a fit you achieve, and it takes a dentist who will see you again next week, not a chain that moves to the next customer. Call (610) 867-7112 to talk through your options.
Which Tooth Replacement Is Right for You?
It depends on how many teeth are missing and what you want daily life to feel like. Here is the honest map:
- Missing 1 to 4 teeth in a row: a fixed porcelain bridge, or a dental implant per tooth
- Missing several teeth in different places: a partial denture
- Missing most or all teeth in an arch: a full denture, or an implant-supported denture for maximum stability
- Want something that never comes out: dental implants or an implant-secured bridge
Dr. Tunney walks you through the trade-offs of each for your mouth, your budget, and your patience level, then gives you a written plan. No pressure toward the expensive option; the right option is the one you will be happy chewing with for the next decade.
Porcelain Fixed Bridges
A bridge is the classic fix for one to four adjacent missing teeth. Crowns fit over the healthy teeth on either side of the gap, and lifelike artificial teeth (called pontics) fill the space between. The whole bridge is fixed in place: no removing it, no adhesive, no special routine beyond brushing, flossing under the pontic, and regular checkups.
Dr. Tunney reshapes the anchor teeth under local anesthesia, takes precise impressions, and has your bridge crafted from dental porcelain matched to your smile. Done well, a bridge is nearly indistinguishable from natural teeth and can last a decade or more with good care.
Partial Dentures
When several teeth are missing but many healthy ones remain, a partial denture replaces what is gone without touching what is not. Today’s partials use a gum-colored base and discreet clasps that grip your remaining teeth, and modern materials make them far more realistic than older generations.
Dr. Tunney takes a series of impressions so your partial seats comfortably, matches your remaining teeth in shape and color, and keeps your bite balanced. Partials are removable: out at night for cleaning, in each morning. Most people adapt within a few weeks and then stop thinking about them, which is the goal.
Full Dentures
A complete upper or lower denture replaces every tooth in the arch. Fit is everything here, which is why we take the time to get impressions, bite alignment, and appearance exactly right, and why we schedule follow-ups to adjust pressure spots as your mouth adapts.
Two honest things chain clinics rarely say out loud:
- Adjustment takes weeks, not days. Speaking and eating feel different at first. That is normal, it improves steadily, and we coach you through it.
- Your jaw changes shape over time. Wherever teeth are missing, bone slowly remodels, which changes how a denture fits. Periodic relines and adjustments are part of denture life, and having a local dentist who knows your mouth makes that easy instead of an ordeal.
Implant-Supported Dentures: The Stability Upgrade
If your biggest fear is a denture that shifts when you talk or limits what you can eat, implants change the conversation. A small number of dental implants anchored in the jaw can secure a denture firmly in place: no slipping, stronger chewing, and the implants also help preserve jawbone that traditional dentures cannot. For many patients this is the difference between tolerating dentures and forgetting them.
Read more on our dental implants page, or ask Dr. Tunney whether you are a candidate at your consultation.
Caring for Your Denture
Good news: denture care is simple. Remove it at night, brush it with a soft brush and water (not regular toothpaste, which is too abrasive), soak it in denture solution, and store it in water overnight. Keep brushing your gums, tongue, and any remaining teeth, and keep your regular checkups so we can watch the fit and the health of everything underneath.
What Do Dentures Cost in Bethlehem?
The range is wide because the options are wide: a partial replacing three teeth is a different project from an implant-supported full arch. What we promise is the same for all of them:
- A written, same-day insurance estimate before anything begins. Most dental plans cover dentures and bridges in part.
- We accept most major plans, including Aetna, Blue Cross Dental, Cigna, Concordia, Delta Dental, Guardian, and MetLife.
- Third-party financing options can turn treatment into steady monthly payments.
- The plan you get is the plan that fits your mouth, not a tiered product menu. If a lower-cost option will genuinely serve you, Dr. Tunney will say so.
Why Get Dentures from a Local Bethlehem Dentist?
Because the fitting is not the end of the relationship. A denture needs adjustments in the first months and relines over the years, and your gums and remaining teeth still need an ongoing dentist. At New Street Dental you get one doctor, Dr. Gene Tunney (DDS, New York University), who fits your denture, sees you the next week if a spot rubs, and cares for your whole mouth at 920 N New Street in the heart of Bethlehem.
Patients visit us for dentures and bridges from across the Lehigh Valley: Bethlehem, Bethlehem Township, Fountain Hill, Freemansburg, Hellertown, Catasauqua, Center Valley, Nazareth, and Allentown.