Dentist and owner. She does the exams, the dentures and the tooth removals herself, and speaks Spanish and English.
Dentures and dental care · Pharr, Texas
Your dentures, made and mended in our own lab
Dr. Evangelina Sosa is a general dentist, and the denture lab is down the hall from the exam room. Dr. Sosa and Edith at the front desk speak Spanish.
When a denture breaks or goes loose
Repairs and relines, often the same day
The lab is in the same building, so many repairs don't have to be mailed away. Call, and Marco Gaitan, our lab assistant, will tell you what can be done the same day.
A crack or a break
Bring the pieces in a clean, dry container. Marco looks first and tells you what can be joined, and when.
A tooth that came loose
A single denture tooth can often be set back or replaced, depending on the repair and the lab's day.
A denture that has gone loose
Gums change over the years. A reline refits the inside of the denture to your gums; many take a day or two.
A clean and a check
We polish it, check the fit and the bite, and tell you plainly if it's time to think about a new one.
Same-day work depends on the repair and on the lab's day. We tell you which when you call.
In the lab
The person who makes your denture is down the hall
Marco Gaitan makes and repairs dentures at the bench behind the exam room.
Dr. Sosa takes the impressions, checks each try-in and adjusts the fit at your follow-up. When something needs changing, the denture goes down the hall instead of into the mail, and you hear when it will be ready.
What that means
Try-ins and adjustments in one building
Repairs started here, not mailed away
One phone number for the dentist and the lab
Your options
Full, partial or implant-supported
None of these is right for everyone. After an exam, Dr. Sosa tells you which would suit your mouth and which she would not suggest.
| Full denture | Partial denture | Implant-supported | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it replaces | Full dentureAll the teeth in the upper or lower jaw | Partial dentureSome teeth, with your own teeth staying | Implant-supportedAll or most teeth in a jaw, held by implants |
| How it stays in | Full dentureRests on the gums, with suction and, if you like, an adhesive | Partial dentureClasps or attachments on your own teeth | Implant-supportedSnaps or locks onto implants in the jawbone |
| Surgery | Full dentureNone, apart from removing teeth that can't be saved | Partial dentureNone | Implant-supportedYes. A surgeon we refer you to places the implants; we make and fit the denture |
| Visits to make it | Full dentureUsually four to six, over a few weeks | Partial dentureUsually four to five, over a few weeks | Implant-supportedSeveral, spread over months while the implants heal |
| Care and upkeep | Full dentureOut at night, cleaned daily, relined as your gums change | Partial dentureCleaned daily, with care for the teeth the clasps touch | Implant-supportedCleaned daily; attachments wear and are replaced |
A new denture
How a denture is made, in order
Plan on several visits over a few weeks. Dr. Sosa gives you the range for your mouth at the first exam.
- 01
Step 1: The exam and a talk
Dr. Sosa looks at your mouth, asks what you want from a denture and goes through your options, including leaving things as they are.
- 02
Step 2: Impressions and your bite
Molds of your gums are taken in the chair. Marco builds the first model from them.
- 03
Step 3: The try-in
You try the teeth set in wax and see how they look and bite before the denture is finished.
- 04
Step 4: The fitting and a follow-up
Dr. Sosa checks the fit and shows you how to put it in, take it out and clean it. Sore spots are adjusted at a follow-up.
Three people, one phone number
A small office, so you see the same faces at every visit.
Marco Gaitan
Lab assistant
Makes and repairs the dentures at the bench. Speaks Spanish and English.
Edith Espinoza
Patient coordinator
Answers the phone, finds you a time and goes over fees with you. Speaks Spanish and English.
From patients
What patients tell us
“I brought my denture in broken in the morning and Marco had it fixed that afternoon. Edith called me when it was ready.”
Josefina R.Denture repair
“Dr. Sosa went through every option and what each one involved. She didn't push me toward the biggest one.”
Isaias C.Partial denture
“I'm more comfortable talking about my health in Spanish, and nobody here rushed me.”
Margarita L.New dentures
Sample reviews.
Questions we hear first
Do you take my insurance?
We file claims for some dental PPO plans and are out of network with the rest. If we're out of network, you pay at the visit and get an itemized receipt to send to your plan. The details are on the fees page.
What if I don't have insurance?
Many of our patients don't. You get a written estimate before any treatment, with each step and its fee, and time to decide.
Can you fix my denture today?
We try. It depends on the repair and on the lab's day. Call first and Marco will tell you what is possible.
How long does a new denture take?
Usually four to six visits over a few weeks. Dr. Sosa gives you the range for your mouth after the exam.
Do you speak Spanish?
Dr. Sosa, Marco and Edith all speak Spanish and English. This site is in both.
Come by, or call first
Tell Edith what is going on with your teeth or your denture. She will tell you what to bring and when we can see you.
