What are dentures?

Dentures are artificial substitutes for missing natural teeth and adjacent soft tissues. They can be either a temporary or permanent tooth replacement option for people of all ages. They are typically made of acrylic resin (plastic) or a lightweight metal (mainly cobalt chrome) and are designed to look like your natural teeth.

Dentures are a cost-effective replacement option for teeth lost due conditions such as tooth decay, gum disease, or trauma. If you have lost some or all your teeth, it is likely your dentist may talk to you about dentures to replace these teeth.

Types of Dentures

Full denture

A full denture is worn by patients who have lost all their teeth in either the upper or lower jaws, or both. The denture will replace missing natural teeth and sit on the gum ridges, providing support to the lips and cheeks as well as maintaining the distance between your nose, mouth, and chin. By choosing not to replace the missing teeth, the distance between your nose, mouth and chin can become smaller over time.

Partial denture

A partial denture is used when a person still has one or more natural teeth remaining. The denture will replace the missing teeth and is usually held in place in the mouth by clasps that surround and hold on to the remaining teeth. These dentures may have an acrylic resin (plastic) or metallic cobalt-chrome base. Your dentist may discuss these material options with you when planning for a denture.

Implant-retained denture

A removable implant-retained denture is an alternative to the standard full dentures. These dentures can be used to replace all missing upper or lower teeth. They are partially supported and held in place by dental implants that are retained within the jawbone and partially supported by the gums. This denture can still be removed from the mouth by the person wearing it.

Custom made

Dentures are custom-made to fit your mouth. However, as with a new pair of shoes, even the best made denture/s can still feel a little irritating at first as you adjust to how they fit and feel within your mouth. You may need to return to your dentist or dental prosthetist for minor adjustments to the denture until it can be worn comfortably.

If you are having teeth removed and need a denture, your dentist may suggest waiting a few months after the teeth have been removed so that your gums can heal. By doing this, it can help to minimise the number of adjustments required for the denture.

However, if you need a denture immediately after a tooth is removed, an 'immediate' denture may be created and fitted during the same appointment that your tooth is extracted. An 'immediate' denture may require more follow-up appointments for it to be adjusted and may need to be replaced sooner.