What is a denture?
A denture is a removable plate with false teeth which is used to replace one or more missing teeth.
Dentures can:
- restore a healthy-looking, youthful smile
- allow you to chew your food better
- improve your speech (usually when front teeth are missing, certain sounds are hard to make)
- prevent other teeth from drifting into the gap which can make your teeth look crooked and interfere with your bite
- stop your face from looking sunken in
What are the different types?
Dentures can be used to replace anywhere from a single tooth to all the teeth in the jaw.
Removable Partial Dentures
A denture which replaces only a few of the teeth is called a "removable partial denture". These are supported by the remaining natural teeth and "clasps" (metal wires) can be used to hold the denture in place.
The most commonly used materials for removable partial dentures are:
- Acrylic (plastic)
The bulk of the denture is made of pink acrylic or plastic. Metal clasps can be incorporated to hug the remaining natural teeth to help the denture stay in place.
Pros:
- least expensive
- if there is a high chance of you losing more teeth in the near future, it is quite easy to add more teeth onto an acrylic denture
- can "replace" or cover areas where the gum/bone has shrunk
Cons:
- bulky
- usually don't fit as well as metal dentures - Metal
The denture has a thin framework made of metal, usually cobalt chrome, which holds the false teeth in place with a thin layer of acrylic. A metal denture has clasps and rests. A clasp stops the denture from falling out. A rest is a small metal tag which sits on the biting surface of the teeth and stops the denture being pushed into the gum/soft tissues.
Pros:
- not as bulky as an acrylic denture
- tighter fit so less likely to become loose or move around whilst you're eating and speaking
Cons:
- more expensive
- harder to add more teeth once it is made unless prior thought has been given when making the denture as to which teeth might be lost in the future
Complete Dentures
A denture which replaces all the teeth in the upper or lower jaw is known as a "complete denture". It uses the shape of your gums/bone and suction to hold the denture in place. There is more bone to support the denture in the upper jaw, so upper complete dentures often fit better than lower complete dentures.
Complete dentures are usually made out of acrylic.
Immediate Dentures
"Immediate dentures" or "temporary dentures" are fit immediately after a tooth is removed. After a tooth is removed, the gums/bone shrink and take 3-6 months to settle into a new shape. Immediate dentures can be used to restore the appearance of your teeth during this time so you aren't left with an obvious gap when you smile or speak. They are usually made out of acrylic.
Over time, as the gums/bone shrink, the denture will become loose and not fit as well. It can be "relined" as a temporary measure until the gums have settled enough for a new, longer-lasting denture to be made.
What is the procedure?
It takes multiple appointments to make a denture, each of which is about 2 weeks apart, and involves a lot of back and forth between your dentist and the dental lab, where the denture is made.
Every dentist will make small changes to the way they make a set of dentures, but in general, these are the stages:
- Primary impression
This is the first stage of making a denture and involves taking an impression (or "mould") of the upper and lower teeth in a stock tray. A stock tray is made of plastic and comes in various pre-determined shapes and sizes. It will not fit the shape of your teeth and gums exactly. Your dentist may have to spend some time modifying it in order to capture enough detail for the next stage of making your denture.
Alginate is the most common material used to take a primary impression. It is a thick liquid which is placed in the tray, which is then placed over the upper or lower teeth. The alginate will set into a rubber-y material within a couple of minutes. The tray, along with the alginate, is then removed from the mouth.
Your dentist will check the impression to make sure it captured all the parts of the mouth which are important for the next stage. The impression is then sent to the lab to make a stone model of your teeth and custom-made special trays (if you are having an immediate denture, the next stage for you will be having the denture fit - step 6). - Master impression
At your second appointment, the custom-made special trays should be back from the lab. Your dentist will try these in the mouth to make sure they will capture all the detail needed to make a well-fitting denture. If it does not, they will spend some time modifying the tray.
Once your dentist is happy with the way the tray fits, they will take another impression of your teeth. If you are only having a tooth replaced in one jaw (upper or lower) then you will only need a master impression taken of the teeth in this jaw.
The design of your denture will be decided with you at this appointment. Your dentist will let you know where they plan to place the metal clasps on your teeth and if they are likely to be visible. If you are unhappy with clasps being visible on the teeth, they can be removed or the position changed but this will compromise the fit of your denture, making it more difficult to wear.
The impression and chosen design for your denture are sent off to the lab to make the metal framework for your denture (if you are having a complete or acrylic partial denture, the next stage for you will be recording the way your teeth bite together - step 4). - Metal framework try-in
The metal framework for your denture will be tried in at this appointment to make sure it fits and you are happy with the placement of the clasps. Some small adjustments to the teeth will need to be made for the metal parts of the framework to fit snugly around the teeth. Your dentist may also need to adjust the denture if it does not fit well or is uncomfortable.
Once the metal framework fits as it should, it will be sent back to the lab where they will add wax blocks in the gaps where teeth need to be replaced. - Recording the bite and choosing a shade
Your dentist will take some measurements of your teeth and face and record how your teeth bite together. This helps the dental lab to put the false teeth in the correct position without interfering with your bite.
You will also be able to choose a shade for your false teeth. There are usually 16 shades to choose from and it is best to choose the one which matches your natural teeth most closely so the false teeth are not noticeably different from your natural ones.
The record of your bite and the shade you have chosen is sent to the lab where they can make a "mock" denture. If you have any photos of how your teeth used to look, this can be sent to the lab so they can try to match this as closely as possible. - Denture try-in
At this appointment, a wax version of your denture will be tried in the mouth. This gives you and your dentist a final chance to check your speech, bite and the appearance of the teeth. If there is something you are not happy with, it can be adjusted at this stage.
It is worth bringing someone you know to this appointment so they can give you their opinion on the appearance of the denture.
Once you and your dentist are happy, this "mock" denture will be sent to the lab where the wax is converted to acrylic and the final denture is made. - Denture fit
The final denture will be fit at this appointment. It may take a few minor adjustments to get the denture to fit properly. Your dentist or dental nurse will give you instructions on how to appropriately care for your denture.
Before you leave, your dentist will make sure you are able to confidently insert and remove your denture by yourself. - Denture review
After 1-2 weeks, you will have a review appointment to check how you are getting on with your denture.
Some people find their denture is too painful to wear immediately after it is fit. This is often due to a certain part of the denture rubbing against the soft tissues in the mouth. It is important you wear your denture the day before your review appointment so your dentist can pinpoint where the denture is rubbing against the soft tissues. This will allow them to adjust the problem area.
What should I expect after I get my denture?
If this is the first time you are wearing a denture, it may take some time for you to get used to this new, relatively bulky, appliance in the mouth.
Don't be alarmed if when the denture is first fit, it doesn't seem to stay in place by itself. As you get used to your denture, the muscles around your mouth adapt and help to hold the denture in place. Some dentists recommend you wear the denture at night for the first few days in order to get used to it more quickly.
If your denture is a bit loose, you can use a denture fixative to help your denture stay in place. This is often needed for lower dentures as there is not much bone to hold the denture in place. You only need a few dots of fixative on the surface of your denture which touches the soft tissues of the mouth. You can find denture fixatives in most supermarkets and pharmacies.
Initially, you may find that eating, speaking and swallowing is affected. To get used to eating with your new denture, you should start with softer foods and cut your food into smaller pieces.
Remember, false teeth are never going to perform as well as your natural teeth so there are some things you won't be able to do, such as bite into an apple or eat a steak.
How do I look after my denture?
Dentures can last you for many years, provided you look after them well.
Each material has different care instructions but in general, you should follow this advice:
- Brush your denture twice a day with soapy water and a toothbrush.
Don't use toothpaste. Toothpaste is too abrasive for the acrylic on your denture and will cause it to wear away more quickly and makes your denture more likely to fracture.
Use a different toothbrush to the one you use for your teeth. This is just because you probably don't want a soapy toothbrush in your mouth. - Brush your denture over a basin of water.
If you drop your denture, it may break. Even if it doesn't break, it can cause "micro-cracks" which weaken the denture. This will eventually lead to it breaking even if you aren't doing anything particularly strenuous. - Don't wear your denture at night.
You should take your denture out when you are sleeping to reduce the risk of gum disease, tooth decay and fungal infections. Leave your denture in a container of water (or denture cleanser) whilst you are not wearing it to prevent it from drying out and warping. - Use a denture cleanser once a week.
You should soak your denture in a denture cleanser (which you can find in most supermarkets and pharmacies) at least once a week. This will help to keep it clean and prevent fungal infections. - Don't wear your denture when swimming or playing sports.
Wearing your denture when swimming or playing sports can cause it to discolour or break. You should take your denture out and place it in a box to keep it safe until you are ready to wear it again. - Don't wrap your denture in a tissue!
This is probably the number one cause for people losing their denture - they wrap their denture in a tissue, forget it's in there and throw it away!
How long will my denture last?
The lifespan of most dentures is between 5 to 10 years. If you look after them well, they may last even longer.
Over the years, the shape of our gums/bone which hold the teeth in place changes. Your denture is made to fit around this gum/bone. This means your denture is likely to become slightly loose over time and may start to rub on your gums and cause sore spots. This doesn't mean your whole denture has to be replaced with a new one. Sometimes, your denture can be "relined". This involves adding a thin layer of material to the surface of your denture to allow it to adapt better to your mouth. This can be done by your dentist or the dental lab. You will have to manage without your denture for a few days whilst the dental lab relines your existing denture. Or if you have an old denture, you can wear that as a temporary measure.
It is natural for there to be some wear and tear and staining of your denture over time. Eventually, the denture will need to be replaced.
What other options do I have?
Dentures are a great option when you have many missing teeth or if you are likely to lose more teeth in the future. They're also one of the best short-term options after you have had a tooth removed as they will not leave a visible gap between the false tooth and shrunken gum/bone. They are cheaper than any other tooth replacement options.
Alternative options to a denture include:
- Dental bridge
- Dental implant
- Implant-retained bridge
- Implant-retained denture
Sometimes it's okay to leave the gap without a replacement.
There are many factors to consider when choosing how to replace a missing tooth or teeth:
- which tooth is missing
- how recently you lost a tooth
- how many teeth you are missing
- how likely you are to lose teeth in the near future
- how healthy your mouth is
It's best to speak to your dentist who can give advice tailored to you and your mouth.