Dentures
What are dentures?
Dentures are removable plates used to replace missing teeth. Dentures can sit on your gums and existing teeth or alternatively sit on dental implants.
Do I have to have dentures?
Not necessarily. It may be possible to replace teeth using dental implants or bridges.
Bridges can also be offered for small gaps.
What types of dentures are there?
There are a number of types of dentures:
- Acrylic dentures.
These dentures are made of plastic. These are usually the most cost effective option for replacing missing teeth.
- Chrome dentures
These dentures are made are made from cobalt chrome. They are thinner than acrylic dentures and may not cover the palate therefore make it easier to talk and taste your food.
- Flexi dentures
Flexi dentures are dentures that are made from a rubber material. These tender to be softer on the gums.
What is the process of having dentures made?
The process of fitting of dentures may take up to 4 visits. For some cases the process may be quicker. Initially a set of moulds of your teeth are taken. At the second appointment a bite registration is taken and also the shade of the teeth taken. The next visit the dentures would be made in wax so that the bite and appearance can be checked before finishing. The final visit would be the fitting visit.
Do I have to have dentures?
Not necessarily. It may be possible to replace teeth using dental implants or bridges.
Bridges can also be offered for small gaps.
What types of dentures are there?
There are a number of types of dentures:
- Acrylic dentures.
These dentures are made of plastic. These are usually the most cost effective option for replacing missing teeth.
- Chrome dentures
These dentures are made are made from cobalt chrome. They are thinner than acrylic dentures and may not cover the palate therefore make it easier to talk and taste your food.
- Flexi dentures
Flexi dentures are dentures that are made from a rubber material. These tender to be softer on the gums.
What is the process of having dentures made?
The process of fitting of dentures may take 4 visits. For some cases the process may be quicker. Initially a set of moulds of your teeth are taken. At the second appointment a bite registration is taken and also the shade of the teeth taken. The next visit the dentures would be made in wax so that the bite and appearance can be checked before finishing. The final visit would be the fitting visit.
Are dentures uncomfortable?
Common complaints about dentures is that they are loose and uncomfortable. New dentures (especially if it is your first set) will initially feel strange and it may take several weeks of perseverance to get used to using the dentures. After fitting the dentures may need to be eased to prevent “rubbing” of the gums. The use of denture adhesive may help to stabilise dentures.
If you have difficulty wearing dentures you may benefit from utilising dental implants to replace your teeth. This is something you can speak to your dentist about.
How long will dentures last?
Dentures on average can be expected to last 5 years. However this will depend on the rate of gum shrinkage and the prognosis of the teeth that are supporting the denture.
Don’t Dentures look artificial?
On the whole dentures can look quite good. It is important that the colour and the shape of the teeth match your facial features. Common complaints about dentures is that they are loose and uncomfortable. New dentures (especially if it is your first set) will initially feel strange and it may take several weeks of perseverance to get used to using the dentures. After fitting the dentures may need to be eased to prevent “rubbing” of the gums. The use of denture adhesive may help to stabilise dentures.
If you have difficulty wearing dentures you may benefit from utilising dental implants to replace your teeth. This is something you can speak to your dentist about.
How long will dentures last?
Dentures on average can be expected to last 5 years. However this will depend on the rate of gum shrinkage and the prognosis of the teeth that are supporting the denture.