A removable denture replaces missing teeth.  “Partial” dentures replace a few missing teeth and “full” or “complete” dentures are needed if all of the natural teeth are missing.

Complete dentures are best made of acrylic (plastic).  Partial dentures can also be made wholly of acrylic.  Alternatively, they can be made of acrylic teeth on a metal base.  This type of denture is more secure and less bulky, but is also more expensive.

What will my dentist do?

It normally takes 3 to 4 visits to the dentist to make your denture.

At the first visit, the dentist will use a putty like material to make moulds of your mouth.  These are called impressions.  A dental technician will then use them to make models for the denture to be built on.  Sometimes, a second, more accurate set of impressions are taken to make sure your denture is a good, tight fit.

The technician will then makes wax blocks which are used to record the position of your jaws in relation to each other, and shows the technician the shape to make your denture.

A trial denture is then made and put in your mouth.  The dentist will ask you how it fits, feels and looks before making any final changes.

The trial denture then goes back to the technician who permanently fixes the teeth.  The denture will then be ready to be fitted in your mouth. You will be given a written set of instructions telling you how to look after your new denture. The dentist may need to see you again a few weeks after having your denture fitted to make small adjustments. 

What are the benefits?

If you have lost some teeth, dentures can improve the way you look, bite, chew and speak. They are custom made for your mouth and are made to look as natural as possible.

Dentures can be fitted immediately after teeth have been taken out so that nobody will know that you have had a tooth out.  These are called immediate dentures.

Dentures will never feel like your own teeth and it can take time to get used to them, especially if you haven’t worn a denture before.