Dentures.

Full and partial dentures

A full denture replaces every tooth in the upper or lower jaw. It rests on the gums, and an upper full denture also covers the roof of the mouth, which helps create suction.

A partial denture fills one or more gaps when some natural teeth remain. It sits between and against those teeth, often with small clasps that hook around them, and stops the remaining teeth drifting into the spaces. Keeping healthy natural teeth under a partial is usually worthwhile, as they help hold it steady and preserve the bone around them.

Acrylic or metal‑framed partials

Partial dentures are usually made in one of two ways, and the choice often comes down to how long you need it to last and how many teeth are left.

• Acrylic partials are made entirely from gum‑coloured plastic with wire clasps. They are quicker and less costly to make, easier to add a tooth to later, and often used as a temporary or first denture. They tend to be thicker, and can put more pressure on the gums.
• Metal-framed partials use a thin cast metal base with acrylic teeth and gum attached. They are usually smaller and stronger, cover less of the palate, and spread biting forces onto the remaining teeth. They cost more and are harder to modify if you lose another tooth.

Immediate dentures

An immediate denture is made before your teeth are extracted and fitted straight after they are removed, so you don’t have to go without teeth while you heal. It can also act like a bandage over the sockets in the first day or two.

Because it is made without seeing the healed gums, the fit is an approximation rather than exact. The gums and bone shrink noticeably over the following months, so an immediate denture usually needs a temporary soft lining, then a reline or a replacement denture once healing settles.

You may be asked to keep an immediate denture in for the first 24 hours, as swelling can make it hard to put back in once removed. A review within a day or two lets us ease any pressure points.

How a denture is made

Making a denture is a step‑by‑step process, because the fit, the bite and the look all need to be right. Each appointment builds on the last, with a dental laboratory making the denture between visits.

We start with impressions of your mouth, then record how your jaws meet and choose the size, shape and shade of the teeth. A wax version with the teeth set in is tried in your mouth, so you can see how it looks and we can check the bite before the final denture is processed. If you already wear a denture, bring it along, as knowing what you like and dislike about it helps us plan the new one.

Eating and speaking with new dentures

For the first few weeks, your mouth is learning to hold and control something new. More saliva than usual, a full feeling and some sore spots are all common. A denture that rubs isn’t something to put up with, so book a review rather than stopping wearing it.

For eating, start with soft food cut into small pieces and chew on both sides at once to keep the denture balanced. Biting into an apple or a sandwich with your front teeth can tip a full denture, so many people learn to tear food or use their side teeth. For speech, reading aloud and repeating tricky words helps your tongue adjust, and most people find any lisp or whistle fades with practice. Food can taste and feel slightly different with an upper full denture because the palate is covered, so take extra care with hot drinks at first.

Daily care for your denture

Take the denture out and rinse it after meals. Once a day, brush every surface with a soft denture brush and a non‑abrasive denture cleaner or mild soap, over a basin of water or a folded towel so it is less likely to break if dropped. Avoid regular toothpaste, bleach and hot water, which can scratch or warp the acrylic.

Brush your gums, tongue and any natural teeth too. Partial denture wearers need to take particular care around the teeth the clasps rest on, as plaque collects there easily. Taking the denture out overnight and storing it in water is generally recommended unless your dentist advises otherwise. Keep it out of reach of pets, as dogs in particular are often drawn to dentures.

How dentures change over time

Even a well-made denture won’t fit forever. After teeth are lost, the bone underneath gradually reshapes, so a denture that felt snug can slowly loosen, rock or cause sore spots. The acrylic teeth also wear down, which can change your bite and how your face looks.

A reline, which refits the inside surface to your current gums, can often restore the fit. Our denture repairs and relines page explains this, along with fixing cracks and broken clasps. Many dentures eventually need replacing, and if a lower denture remains loose despite relines, our implant-retained dentures page may be worth reading.

Cost and cover for dentures

The fee depends on whether you need a full or partial denture, acrylic or metal, one jaw or both, and whether it is immediate. Dentures are usually claimed under major dental, and eligible DVA card holders may be covered for dentures through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Our health funds page has more on claiming.