Berlanga Dentures - Welcome to Our Blog

If you go to your dentist and they explain that you are going to need dentures, did you realize you have options besides going through your dentist for those dentures? We recommend you do some research.

If you have dental insurance it could cover up to 50% of the expense when going through your dentist, but the out of pocket expense could still be very high because the dentist is charging you double, sometimes triple, the actual cost of the dentures.

This is because dentists don’t make your dentures. They either work with a denturist or denture lab. Regardless, there is a “middle man” between your dentist and the actual dentures.

We are the actual “maker” of your dentures, which means coming to Berlanga Dentures cuts out all the “middleman” costs. It also means you have less issues, because we work with you and your dentist through the entire process.

We recommend you call us to find out if we can work with your insurance company (or check here to see a list of our providers). Regardless, in the end, the cost will still be less than what you’d pay going through a dentist. Our prices are very reasonable, and we’ll work to find the right dentures for you and your budget.

Denturists practice denturism, the practice of making, altering, repairing and relining removable dentures directly to their patients. We are not involved in the extraction, however. You will work with your dentist for that, but after your teeth have been removed, your denturist is involved in the denture process from start to finish.

We encourage you to contact us at any of our three convenient locations located in the Puget Sound area (Tacoma, Parkland or Puyallup) to discuss all your options. We are a family-owned and operated business, and we strive to provide the best customer service for our clients.

Make an appointment today to see why Berlanga Dentures should be your #1 choice for your dentures and denture care.

Lucitone 199 is a type of acrylic resin used for the base of your dentures. The type of acrylic resin used for your dentures is important to consider, because you want your dentures to look and feel like your natural teeth. To do that things like, color stability, strength, durability and comfort, are all significant to a great set of dentures.

With over 40 years of clinical success, Lucitone 199 is the industry’s leading acrylic denture base chosen by top denturists, dentists, and dental laboratories nationwide. Lucitone 199 is the premium choice for both tissue and implant-supported full and partial dentures, and offers outstanding aesthetics, high impact resistance, and superb flexibility and strength. It resists breakage, and its balanced translucency and natural vein simulation delivers excellent results.

Berlanga Dentures is proud to offer high-quality dentures to the residents of Tacoma and Puyallup, Washington, and the surrounding areas. Dentures fashioned in our laboratory are 100% handcrafted, ensuring that each denture we make is customized and unique, and fits the patient perfectly. With over 25 years of combined experience, Joey Berlanga Jr., D.P.D. and John Berlanga, D.P.D, can make a variety of dentures to your specifications.

​These services include:  Full Dentures, Immediate Dentures, Partial Dentures, Implant Dentures and Custom Dentures

​Call today to schedule your appointment.

How long does the process of getting your dentures take?

We hear these questions often. The truth is, getting your dentures is something that is unique to everyone. How long the process takes depends on the type of dentures you get, the fit, and in some cases, the health of your mouth. It also depends on whether this is your first pair of dentures, if it’s a full denture (or a partial), or a replacement denture.

If this is your first set of dentures we will have you come in for a full consultation, take measurements and get impressions of your natural teeth. This way we can have your dentures ready as soon as your extractions are complete. Typically, dentures are fitted the same day as the extraction, but in some cases not until the tissues have healed. Each person’s situation is different.

Can I get my dentures done in a day? Unfortunately, no.

At Berlanga Dentures we pride ourselves on superior workmanship, if we rush your dentures the quality will suffer. Each denture we make is 100% handmade and crafted in our cutting-edge facilities. We prefer to craft dentures by hand because it allows us to fully control the quality of the dentures. Similarly, our chosen crafting method makes it easier for us to incorporate unique characteristics to each set of dentures.

Talk to us about your specific situation and we will provide you all your options, walk you through each step, and assure you have a quality experience start to finish.

We believe that everyone deserves to flash a brilliant smile, no matter how old or young they may be. Therefore, we are committed to providing some of the best dentures available at a price that is affordable to all our clients.

Call Today to Learn More!

• Always try to remove and rinse your dentures after you eat.  Fill the sink with water and run water over your dentures to remove any food debris. You can place a towel nearby or in the sink to avoid damaging your teeth if you drop them.
• Handle your dentures carefully.
• Always clean your mouth after you remove your dentures. Use a soft toothbrush or gauze to clean any natural teeth, tongue, cheeks and the roof of your mouth (palate). If used, remove any remaining denture adhesive from your gums.
• Brush your dentures at least once a day. Remove and gently clean your dentures daily using a soft-bristled brush and nonabrasive denture cleanser to remove food, plaque and other deposits. We recommend Sparkledent or antibacterial soap and water. If you use denture adhesive, clean the grooves that fit against your gums. Never use denture cleansers inside your mouth.
• Soak your dentures overnight. Place the dentures in water or a mild denture-soaking solution overnight. We recommend Sparkledent or Polident. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the cleaning and soaking solution you choose. There are also simple storage cups for soaking, or some that assist with cleaning while your dentures soak.
• Always rinse your dentures thoroughly before putting them back in your mouth, especially if you are using a denture-soaking solution. These solutions can contain harmful chemicals if swallowed.
• See your denturist if you have a loose fit. If your dentures become loose contact us right away. Loose dentures can cause irritation, sores and infection.
• See your denturist right away if your dentures break, and don’t try to fix them on your own
  

What to Avoid:

• Abrasive cleaning materials. Avoid stiff-bristled brushes, and do not use any type of toothpaste, whiteners or bleach to clean your dentures. These products are too abrasive and can damage your dentures.
• Hot water. Avoid very hot or boiling water which can warp your dentures.

First, don’t panic. Although a broken denture can be frustrating and a bit disconcerting, keep in mind that it is a common occurrence. You are certainly not alone, according to the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, there will be around 37 ½ million people wearing full dentures by the year 2020.
 
If you’ve broken a denture, Berlanga Dentures is here to help. Our repairs are very reasonable, we take walk-in repairs, and we can fix your dentures even if you didn’t purchase them through us.
 
What NOT to do When Your Dentures Break
Often people will try to repair, or temporarily mend their dentures at home.  This is not a good idea, as you will make it impossible for your denturist to repair them.  Do Not:  super glue, sand, or try to fix the denture with a file or tool. These interventions will damage the surface of the denture which makes it non-repairable. You will have to purchase new dentures.
 
What to Do When Your Dentures Break
Check to see exactly what has broken on your dentures. There are a few different ways your dentures can break: a piece of the pink acrylic might fall off, the denture could break in half, or a tooth can break, crack or fall out.
 
Call Us! – If you’ve discovered you’ve broken your denture the first thing you need to do is call us (or stop into one of our three locations), explain the situation, and identify the portion of your denture that has broken.
 
Beware of Denture Repair Kits
You can sometimes find “denture repair kits” in your local drug store, which are intended for emergency repair, but we highly discourage this. Most of these kits include a bonding material, and some may also contain temporary replacement teeth. While they may claim to be able to fix cracks, they too could damage or alter the surface of your denture making it impossible to repair.
 
Call or Come See Us Right Away!
We will repair your dentures and make any adjustments needed to ensure that your teeth fit comfortably and are fully functional once again. Yes, we take Walk-in Repairs!
 
How to Avoid Broken Dentures
It is important for us to point out that prevention is a key part of avoiding repairs and replacements. Your dentures will last longer and stay damage-free if cared for correctly. Make sure you are keeping your dentures clean, brush them regularly, rinse well, and soak them overnight. (See our blog post on how to clean your dentures.) When brushing your dentures, fill the sink with water, so if you do drop them, they have a softer impact and are less likely to break.
 
When was the last time you saw a highly qualified denturist? If it has been awhile since you’ve given your smile the attention it deserves, it may be time to make an appointment. Contact us soon to set up an appointment at one of our convenient locations in Tacoma, Puyallup or Parkland, WA. Our denturists are experts in their fields and can ensure that you have comfortable, well-functioning, and natural looking dentures that last a lifetime.

​Priscilla Berlanga, who just turned 25, grew up in a family of denturists.  Her grandparents, her father, her uncle, her mother, even her cousin has played a part in the Berlanga denturist legacy, so it makes sense that one of the Berlanga children would join the practice, but Priscilla never thought it would be her.
 
She attended Roger’s High School in Puyallup, WA, and graduated in 2012.  During high school she played varsity softball, winning numerous awards and accolades, and went on to attend Washington State University (WSU) where she pursued a degree in Human Development.  At WSU, as a member of the Alpha Kappa Psi, a business fraternity, she became very active working with and mentoring students who had interests in the community.  It was this work that made her realize she had a passion for working with and helping others.
 
She continued to play softball, traveled a bit and enjoyed time with her family, but after college, Priscilla started helping her father occasionally at Parkland Denture Center and Puget Sound Dentures.  Joey hinted that she might like to consider becoming a denturist, but Priscilla wasn’t sure.  Besides her passion for helping others, which she could see would be beneficial as a denturist, she also has an artistic side.  She calls herself “Tinker Bell” because she likes to “tinker” and fix things.  She enjoys crafts and artistic projects, and she always thought this would be part of her life career.  However, as she began working alongside her father, she realized how her artistic skills would become an intrinsic part of a becoming a denturist.  Dentures are hand-crafted and require precision and an infinite eye for detail. For dentures to look and feel natural, it requires someone who can get to know you, understand your needs, make recommendations for the right fit, style, and budget that suits you, and then fabricate the exact set of dentures specifically for you.
 
After a short time Priscilla knew that with her love of helping others and her artistic talents, becoming a denturist was the right path for her.  Berlanga Dentures welcomes, Priscilla as she prepares for denturist school.
 
Meanwhile you’ll often find her with one of her pets, Busch, her black lab, or Coco and Angel, her cats.  Travelling.  Or spending time with her sister Taylor.