Dentures

Dentures can be a good way to replace multiple missing teeth. They are a removable appliance that is custom-made to fit around the contours of existing teeth and gums. Immediate dentures can be made quite quickly when required.

Partial and Full Dentures

We can make dentures to suit a mouth with some or all teeth missing.  As a general rule, the more natural teeth you retain, the better the fit and comfort of your denture.  Similarly, we can repair or reline existing dentures, often within 24 hours.  Before any new denture is made, we encourage a thorough examination and clean (if required), and that all broken or decayed teeth be fixed first, so that your new denture has the best fit possible.  We take the time to discuss the different types of dentures to see what would meet your needs.

Acrylic and Chrome Dentures

There are two main categories of dentures:

1) An acrylic denture is often used as an interim or immediate option, given that they can be fabricated quite quickly.  They are supported by the soft tissues of the mouth and retained by clasps or using undercuts of your teeth.

2) Chrome dentures take longer to fabricate, and are usually not recommended to be made and inserted straight after multiple tooth extractions.  They often have a superior fit as they are supported by the hard tissues of the mouth (ie. the teeth) and retained by clasps. They are less bulky and therefore more comfortable, and last longer due to the material used.

Immediate Dentures

When multiple teeth are extracted, a patient often needs a new denture as they have either never needed one before or the existing denture is no longer adequate.  This sort of denture is called an immediate denture.  The impression for this denture is taken before the teeth are extracted, and it is inserted at the end of the extraction appointment, straight after the teeth are removed. Usually made in acrylic, this type of denture can require some adjustments in the weeks to months following the extractions to keep it adequately well fitting while the gums are still healing and remodelling. We often recommend a proper relining of the fitting surface of this denture be done a few months down the track, once the shape of the bony ridge is established.

Implant-retained Full Dentures

Occasionally, there are people who are not able to wear a full denture, despite needing one. The reasons can be that they have a prominent gag reflex and cannot tolerate the extra bulkiness of a denture, or their bony ridge has shrunk too much to adequately retain a full denture.  For these patients, we offer the option of implant-retained dentures.  As the name suggests, you can get a well-anchored denture held in place by dental implants which are surgically placed within the jaw bone.  An initial assessment has to be made to determine if the patient is suitable for this kind of treatment, but we have seen great results for those people frustrated by normal dentures.