Dentures

Dentures are a simple and effective way to replace missing teeth, improve eating comfort and enhance your smile.

Whether they are a partial set fitted around your own natural teeth or a full set replacing all of your teeth, for most patients dentures are trouble-free and stay comfortably in place.

Why might I need dentures?

Patients with missing teeth may be affected by:

• A gappy smile and an alteration of the face
• Difficulty eating and speech alteration
• Other teeth moving into gaps and becoming crooked

Wearing a denture can fill gaps in your teeth and so prevent other teeth from moving into the space, becoming misaligned, damaged or affecting your bite and eating comfort.  A complete or full denture can also give support to your cheeks and lips, improve your appearance and allow you to eat and speak properly.

What are dentures made from?

Dentures consist of replacement teeth attached to pink or gum-coloured plastic bases. The teeth can be made from plastic, or from more durable composite or porcelain. The base might be constructed from acrylic, used for its lightweight properties and creating bespoke tooth coloured shades. Another often used material is cobalt chrome which is thinner and generally more comfortable than the acrylic version.

What is involved?

Once you have decided with your dentist that dentures are right for you, we will generally plan between 4 and 5 appointments.

1. Your dentist will begin by taking impressions of your mouth. These are sent to our laboratory where the dental technician will make a very accurate model for your denture.
2. The next stage is to select the shape, size and colour of teeth and determine their correct positions in your mouth. The denture is then constructed in wax and the teeth are added to it.
3. At your next “try-in” appointment, your dentist will check that the wax denture fits comfortably and that the teeth are in the correct position with a good bite.
4. This denture is then sent back to the laboratory where the wax portion is converted into a pink, gum-coloured plastic. Dentures can be made to closely match your natural teeth so that your appearance hardly changes.
5. At your final appointment, we will check the fit and bite of your new dentures. It is normal that after the first days and weeks after treatment, you may need to come back to the practice for some fine adjustments.

Do I have to wear dentures all the time?

For the first few days, your dentist may advise you to wear your dentures most of the time, including at night. Denture wearers often prefer to use a denture fixative to give more confidence that the denture is secure.  Once you get used to them, taking your dentures out before going to bed allows your gums to rest and helps keep your mouth healthy.

Taking care of dentures

The general rule for cleaning dentures is “brush, soak and brush”.

1. Brush them to remove any food debris.
2. Soak your denture in an effervescent cleaner to help remove stains and leave your denture feeling fresh.
3. Brush your dentures again, as you would your own teeth. Do not scrub too hard as this may cause grooves in the surface and make sure you also clean the parts which touch your gums.

It is always advisable to clean dentures over a bowl of water or folded cloth as they may break if dropped.

How long do dentures last?

With proper care, dentures should last several years. If you have a loose or ill-fitting denture, consult your dentist as they may need to be relined or re-made.  A poorly fitting denture should be seen to as soon as possible as it may become uncomfortable and cause additional oral health issues.