Dentures

What are dentures?

This is a plate with a number of false teeth on it. Dentures are not fixed in the mouth permanently and patients are able to take them out, especially at night.

Is there different types of dentures?

There are both partial dentures and full dentures.

Partial dentures only replace those teeth that are missing and fit around the natural teeth in your mouth. They are held in place mainly by clasps which hold onto your teeth.

Full Dentures replace all teeth in the jaw. They sit on the gums and are usually held in place by a suction effect against your gums and palate. Sometimes it may be necessary to use a fixing agent to keep your dentures stable.

What materials are dentures made from?

The most common material is acrylic. You can also have porcelain teeth put on to have a more natural look. Clasps are made from stainless steel. The other common material is Cobalt Chrome which gives increased strength and stability to the dentures.

How are they made?

Dentures are made by taking accurate moulds and registrations of your teeth and jaws. There is no need for any local anaesthetic. It usually takes 4-6 weeks to make dentures from start to finish and can take between 4-6 appointments. Some dentures can be made in 2 appointments, known as immediate replacement dentures. These are usually made for front teeth alone and fitted on the same day as when teeth are taken out. Therefore, patients don’t leave with any unsightly gaps. These dentures will need adjustments/ replacement overtime.

How long will they last?

Dentures can last for years. Some patient’s take some time getting used to their first dentures but soon feel comfortable with them.