Dentures

How do dentures work?

A denture is a removable dental appliance replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissue. They are made to closely resemble your natural teeth and may even enhance your smile.

There are two types of dentures – complete and partial dentures. Complete dentures are used when all of the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain. A Partial denture not only fills in the spaces created by missing teeth, it prevents other teeth from shifting.

A Complete denture may be either “conventional” or “immediate.” A conventional type is made after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has healed, usually taking 4 to 6 weeks. During this time the patient will go without teeth. Immediate dentures are made in advance and immediately placed after the teeth are removed, thus preventing the patient from having to be without teeth during the healing process. Once the tissues shrink and heal, adjustments will have to be made.

Dentures are very durable appliances and will last many years, but may have to be remade, repaired, or readjusted due to normal wear.

Reason for Dentures:

Complete Denture – Loss of all teeth in an arch.
Partial Denture – Loss of several teeth in an arch.

Enhancing smile and facial tissues and Improving chewing, speech, and digestion.

What does getting Dentures involve?

The process of getting dentures requires several appointments, usually over several weeks. Highly accurate impressions and measurements are taken and used to create your custom denture. Several “try-in” appointments may be necessary to ensure proper shape, colour, and fit. At the final appointment, your dentist will precisely adjust and place the completed denture, ensuring a natural and comfortable fit.

In order to maximise the precision fit of our partial dentures we can scan the mouth with our Cerec Machine to transfer the data digitally to our dental laboratory which means natural looking dentures can be constructed without the use of traditional impressions.

It is normal to experience increased saliva flow, some soreness, and possible speech and chewing difficulty, however this will subside as your muscles and tissues get used to the new dentures.

You will be given care instructions for your new dentures. Proper cleaning of your new dental appliance, good oral hygiene, and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new dentures.

What are Dentures made of?

The frame of the denture can be made depending on the number of teeth missing and will be discussed with you at your initial visit.

We make dentures out of the following materials:

Flexible denture – Valplast and BioHPP. These are metal free, lightweight and flexible with the material ‘hugging’ the gums providing support and stability.

Cobalt chrome – metal frame which will last many years and feels thin on the palate

Acrylic – Traditionally what a denture is made from. May come with metal clasps which wrap round some of the teeth providing further retention to maintain the denture position.

Implant Retained Dentures

This procedure provides a secure method of holding your denture in place so you can eat an talk without fear of your denture slipping.

It even helps make you look more youthful as it fills out your lips and decreases the wrinkle lines in the mouth area.