A few things worth
knowing first.
Dentures are custom-fitted to your mouth, and modern technology has made the process easier than it has ever been. But there are things that are genuinely useful to understand before you begin.
Removable, or attached to the jaw.
Removable dentures are the traditional option. They come out at night while you sleep, which is also when they get cleaned and soaked.
Implant dentures are not removable — they attach directly to posts in the jaw. We will not recommend them unless you are in good health and have no remaining teeth that are worth keeping, because keeping natural teeth is almost always the better outcome.
Which suits you comes out of a thorough examination of your teeth and your current oral health, not a preference stated over the phone.
Five types, compared
Complete, partial, immediate, implant-supported and overdentures each suit a different situation — and the differences matter more than most people expect.
Four stages.
Examination
We examine your teeth and establish the state of your oral health — looking for infection, decay, previous dental work that could hinder the denture process, and any teeth that need removing before dentures go in.
Making them
A mould of the teeth and a set of measurements, taken so the denture fits your remaining teeth exactly. These go to a dental laboratory, which builds the denture to specification.
Fitting
You come in for the fitting once they are complete, and adjustments are made at that appointment.
Expect more than one adjustment over the following weeks. That is the process working, not a fault.
Adapting
It takes time to adapt to eating and speaking with dentures, but you will get there — eventually with the same function and control you had with natural teeth.
Not brushing with toothpaste.
This catches people out. Dentures need a specific brush and a liquid solution formulated not to damage the material — ordinary toothpaste is abrasive enough to scratch denture acrylic, and the scratches are where bacteria settle.
Removable dentures are soaked in solution every night while you sleep. They must stay moist; acrylic warps if it dries out, and that change to the fit is permanent.
Because there are different types of denture, the exact care instructions vary — we go through yours at delivery rather than handing you a generic leaflet.
Your gums can still get infected
Having no teeth does not mean your gums cannot become infected. Brush your gums at least twice a day — rinse the dentures with water after taking them out, then gently brush the gums with toothpaste.
Brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth too. It takes some adjusting to, but this is what keeps infection from developing and keeps the dentures in good condition.
Sturdy is not unbreakable.
Be careful not to drop them on the bathroom counter or floor — work over a folded towel or a basin of water, so a slip does not become a crack.
If your dentures need repair of any kind, call us. Attempting a repair without professional help is how a straightforward fix becomes a remake.
Realistic expectations
- Your dentures are custom-fitted, but complete mastery of them takes a little while
- Start with softer foods and build up gradually
- Speaking takes practice — more than people expect, because changing an ingrained habit is hard
- Several adjustment visits early on are normal
- The first few weeks feel slightly odd. That passes.
Answered honestly.
How long does the whole process take?
Will I need teeth removed first?
Will it hurt?
Can I eat what I want?
Do I still need check-ups?
How long do they last?
Start with the examination.
It establishes what needs dealing with first and which type of denture actually suits your mouth — before any decisions get made.