Dentures and Partials
Losing teeth changes how you eat, how you talk, and often how willing you are to smile around other people. Little River Medical Center provides full and partial dentures at our dental offices in Little River, Carolina Forest, and Aynor. We accept Medicaid, Medicare, TRICARE, and most private dental insurance, and patients without coverage can apply for our sliding fee scale. Whatever your situation, there is a path here. Call 843-663-8000 and we will check your benefits before you commit to anything.
Full dentures and partials, and how to tell which you need
A full denture replaces all the teeth in your upper jaw, your lower jaw, or both. It rests on your gums and is removable. A partial denture, usually just called a partial, replaces a few missing teeth while your remaining natural teeth stay in place. Partials clasp onto those healthy teeth, which also helps keep them from drifting into the gaps.
Which one makes sense depends on how many teeth you have left and what condition they are in. Some patients arrive expecting to lose everything and find a partial will do. Others have teeth that cannot be saved and are better served by a full denture. Your dentist will examine your mouth, take X-rays, and walk through the options with you before anything is decided.
What your coverage pays for
Preventive visits are the most widely covered dental service there is, whatever kind of plan you have. Here is what generally applies:
| Your coverage | What generally applies |
|---|---|
| Private dental insurance | Many plans cover part of the cost of dentures, often with a waiting period or an annual maximum. We accept most private dental plans and will check your benefits for you. |
| Medicare | Traditional Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover routine dental, including dentures. Many Medicare Advantage plans do include a dental benefit that may cover part of the cost. Bring your plan card and we will look. |
| TRICARE | Retiree and family dental coverage is handled through a separate dental program rather than TRICARE medical, and denture coverage depends on that plan. |
| South Carolina Medicaid | For adults 21 and older, dentures are not a covered benefit. Adult coverage is limited to extractions, fillings, and an annual cleaning within a $1,000 yearly cap. Coverage for members under 21 is broader. You can check current benefits with the state's dental plan. |
| No insurance | Apply for our sliding fee scale. Your cost is set by household size and income. Bring a photo ID and proof of household income from the last 30 days. |
If your coverage does not pay for dentures, or does not pay for all of it, the sliding fee scale can still apply to what you owe. For other ways to reduce the cost, see our guide to low-cost and free dental care in Horry County. If you are not enrolled in any coverage at all, our outreach team can help you apply.
What the process looks like
Getting dentures is not a single appointment. It usually runs like this:
- A consultation and exam, including X-rays, to assess your teeth and gums
- Any extractions you need, with healing time afterward
- Impressions of your mouth so the denture can be made to fit
- A fitting, followed by adjustments to get it comfortable
- Follow-up visits, since a new denture almost always needs fine-tuning
If teeth need to come out first, your gums need time to heal before a final denture can be made to fit properly. Ask your dentist for your specific timeline at the consultation, because it varies considerably from person to person.
What drives the total cost
Whether you need one arch or both, whether extractions are needed first, and the type of denture all change the final number. Anyone quoting you a single price before looking in your mouth is quoting a starting point, not your cost. We go over your estimate with you, including what your insurance is expected to cover, before treatment begins.
Adjusting to a new denture
The first few weeks take some getting used to. Most people find eating awkward at first and do better starting with softer foods cut small, then working back toward a normal diet. Speech can feel off for a while, and reading out loud at home helps more than people expect. Some soreness is normal early on, but a denture that keeps rubbing the same sore spot needs an adjustment, not patience. Call us and come in.
Over time, gums and bone change shape, so a denture that fit well a few years ago may loosen. That is normal and often fixable with a reline rather than a whole new denture.
Where to go
We provide dental care, including dentures, at Little River, Carolina Forest, and Aynor. Call 843-663-8000 to book a consultation at whichever is closest. If you have not been seen at LRMC before, start with new patient registration, and you can see the rest of our dental services as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does insurance cover dentures?
Many private dental plans cover part of the cost, often subject to a waiting period or annual maximum. We accept most private dental insurance and will verify your specific benefits before treatment.
Does Medicare cover dentures?
Traditional Medicare does not cover routine dental care, including dentures. Many Medicare Advantage plans include a dental benefit that may cover part of the cost. Bring your plan information and we will check what applies.
Does Medicaid cover dentures in South Carolina?
Not for adults. South Carolina Healthy Connections limits adult dental coverage to extractions, fillings, and an annual cleaning within a $1,000 annual cap, and dentures are excluded. Coverage for members under 21 is broader. If you are on Medicaid and need dentures, ask us about the sliding fee scale.
Can I get dentures if I have no insurance at all?
Yes. Apply for our sliding fee scale and your cost is based on household size and income. We will go over the amount with you before treatment starts.
What is the difference between a full denture and a partial?
A full denture replaces all the teeth in an arch. A partial replaces several missing teeth and clasps onto the natural teeth you still have.
Do I have to have teeth pulled first?
Only if teeth cannot be saved. Your dentist will tell you at the consultation. If extractions are needed, your gums need healing time before a final denture is fitted.
My denture is loose or broken. Can you help?
Call 843-663-8000. A loose denture can often be relined rather than replaced.
We accept most insurance plans, including:
- Medicare
- Medicaid
- Private or commercial plans
- ACA or Healthcare Marketplace plans
ESTABLISHED PATIENTS ONLY:
Same Day / Next Day Appointments
If you are an established patient, we can provide you with a same-day/next-day appointment. If you find it necessary to cancel your appointment, please call us as early as possible so that we may offer your time to someone else. We can offer telehealth visits if transportation or other issues prevent you from keeping your appointment.
After Hours:
If you are sick outside of normal office hours, please call the after-hours number to contact the provider on call. They will provide you with additional instruction. If you are experiencing a health emergency, please call 911.
After Hours: 843.497.3424
