Dentures

Complete dentures are also known as a full denture that takes up the whole mouth rather than just a part of it. These dentures are usually made from acrylic.   

They can either be ‘immediate’ or ‘conventional’. These dentures can be fitted as soon as your teeth are removed which is great for many patients as it means that you won’t have to spend any time without teeth. The denture is made to fit quite snug over your jawbone and gums.  

Conventional dentures cannot be ready for placement until around eight months after the teeth have been removed as they need to be placed after the gum tissue has begun to heal after the tooth removal. Occasionally, the gums may need to be left for some time to heal and alter in shape before the dentures can be fitted. In some cases, this can take several months. Unlike conventional dentures, immediate dentures are made in advance and can be positioned soon after the teeth are removed.  

What will happen: 

A trial denture will be taken prior to any procedure taking place. It will be created from the impression taken of your mouth. 

 The dentist or clinical dental technician will trial this denture in your mouth first in order to assess the fit and ensure that both you and your dental clinician are happy with the fit and appearance of your dentures.  

The shape and colour can be adjusted to your preference before the final denture is produced for you.

A partial denture is designed to fill any gaps you have in your mouth left by missing teeth. This type of denture is usually either a metal, nylon or plastic plate with false teeth attached to it. This denture is fitted with clips on to the natural teeth with metal clasps which ensure that the denture is held securely in place and will stay firmly in the mouth until it is unclipped and removed.

If you have lost your teeth or have multiple missing teeth there are a few alternatives to dentures. Dental implants can be used to support cemented bridges, eliminating the need for a denture completely. There are pros and cons for both options so be sure to book a consultation with your dentist so they can recommend what the best treatment option is for your individual circumstance. However, it is good to note that implants and bridges are both options that most closely resemble the feel of real teeth. Dental implants are quickly becoming a very popular alternative to dentures but unfortunately, not everyone is a viable candidate for implants.

Once you have had your dentures in for a while and are fully adjusted to wearing them, you should be able to eat and drink anything as you please just like you would with your natural teeth. Once you get dentures, it will take a little time and practice to get used to them and get comfortable eating with them. For some people this may take only a few days however, for some other wearers this may also take a few weeks to get used to the difference in eating with dentures.  

When you first get your dentures, ease yourself in by starting with soft foods that are cut into small pieces. You should also chew slowly using both sides of your mouth. As you begin to get used to eating with your dentures, start introducing other foods until you are comfortable enough to return to your normal diet. It is important to be especially cautious of foods that are really hot or sticky or foods that are quite hard. You should also try to avoid chewing gum and stay clear of using toothpicks while you are wearing your dentures. 

 Like any change in your mouth, it will take you some time to get used to talking with them. You may have some trouble pronouncing a few words at first, but once you get comfortable with your dentures, your speech should go back to normal. 

 If you notice that your dentures click while you are talking, contact your dentist. Sometimes it is normal for your dentures to occasionally slip a little while you’re speaking or laughing. This is not something you have to see your dentist for, simply reposition your dentures by gently biting down and swallowing. If you are having persistent problems with your speech or your dentures constantly moving, it is important to consult your dentist.

You should never wear your dentures all 24 hours of a day without your dentist’s advice or without performing proper oral hygiene.

When you remove your dentures, it is important that you remember that they need to be kept moist. This can be either done with your dentures submerged in water or in a suitable overnight denture-cleaning solution. This is imperative to stop the denture material from drying out and changing its shape. 

Your dentist will instruct you as to how long you should wear your dentures and when is the perfect time to remove them. Once you get your dentures fitted, it’s likely that they may feel a bit strange to begin with, but you will get used to wearing them pretty quickly. We recommend that you wear your dentures all the time when you first get them. This includes while you are sleeping. This is not the same advice we give to every patient with dentures, your dentist or dental technician will advise you on whether you should remove your dentures before you sleep. 

 We advise you to wear your dentures while you sleep in the beginning even though it may be a bit uncomfortable for the patient as it is the quickest way to highlight and identify any areas where the dentures may need some adjustment. Once any necessary adjustments have been made, you should be able to remove your dentures before going to bed.  

It is important not to get in the habit of sleeping with your dentures on. The break from your dentures at night allows your gum tissue to rest and allows for normal stimulation around the mouth as well as cleansing by the saliva and tongue. The denture can then be placed back in the mouth in the morning.

Your dentist will advise you on how often you should visit with your dentures. Depending on your individual circumstances, time spans may differ however, the usual time you should wait between routine visits is 6 months. Regular visits are important so your dentist can examine your month and your dentures to ensure a proper denture fit. These regular checks will also allow your dentist to look for any signs of oral disease including cancer or any gum issues.

Dentures are made to closely resemble your natural teeth so there should only be a small noticeable difference in your appearance. They should not look fake; however, they probably will improve your smile, and make your teeth look a lot whiter and straighter as well as fill out your facial appearance.