Dentures

A full (complete) denture replaces all the teeth in the upper or lower jaw. It rests on the gums and is held mainly by its close fit, helped by the muscles of your cheeks and tongue. Upper full dentures are usually more stable than lower ones, because they cover the roof of the mouth.

A partial denture replaces one or more missing teeth when some natural teeth remain, and is usually held steady by clasps or rests on neighbouring teeth. As well as filling the gap, it can help stop the teeth around it drifting or tilting into the space.

The four types on the fee list differ mainly in the base, which affects how a denture feels, how it looks and how easily it can be altered later.

Acrylic dentures have a rigid, gum-coloured plastic base and can be full or partial. Teeth can often be added later if you lose more natural teeth. Acrylic needs some thickness to be strong, so these dentures can feel bulkier, and partial ones often use small metal clasps.

Valplast and Flexi dentures are made from flexible materials and are mainly used as partial dentures. Gum-coloured clasps can make them less noticeable, and some people find them more comfortable. However, they can be harder to adjust, reline or add teeth to, and they aren’t suitable for every mouth.

Chrome dentures are partial dentures built on a thin, strong framework of cobalt-chrome metal, with gum-coloured acrylic and replacement teeth attached. They can be thinner and often cover less of the roof of the mouth than an acrylic partial, and small rests on your natural teeth help spread the biting load. Metal clasps may show on some teeth, and making one usually involves more stages.

Your dentist will explain which type would suit your mouth.

New dentures usually feel strange at first, and it can take a few weeks to adjust, often longer for a lower full denture, which has less to hold on to. Extra saliva, some soreness and difficulty with certain words are common early on, and usually improve.

• Start with soft foods cut into small pieces, chewing slowly on both sides at once to keep the denture steady
• Reading aloud can help your speech settle
• If a denture rubs or causes a sore spot, contact us rather than adjusting it yourself
• Adhesive can help some people feel more secure, but a well-fitting denture shouldn’t depend on it. If yours feels loose, let us know

Dentures collect plaque and staining just as natural teeth do. Cleaning them daily reduces the risk of bad breath, gum disease, decay in your remaining teeth and oral thrush.

• Brush your denture at least once a day with a soft brush and a non-abrasive cleaner, such as soap and water or a denture cleaner, over a bowl of water or a folded towel in case you drop it
• Soak it in a denture-cleaning solution as directed, then rinse it. Some cleaners aren’t suitable for metal or flexible dentures, so ask us which to use
• Avoid very hot water, which can warp the denture
• Keep it moist when it’s out of your mouth, for example in water, so it doesn’t dry out and change shape
• Brush your remaining teeth, gums and tongue twice a day, especially teeth that clasps rest against

Your dentist will explain which ways of replacing missing teeth suit your mouth, so you can compare them.

• A bridge: a false tooth fixed to the teeth either side of a gap. It doesn’t come out, but relies on healthy neighbouring teeth, which often need to be shaped to hold it, and that can’t be undone
• Dental implants: posts placed in the jawbone to support a replacement tooth or teeth. They are fixed, but need suitable bone and gums, take several months and cost more
• Leaving the gap: sometimes reasonable, particularly at the back, although nearby teeth can drift or tilt into the space over time and affect your bite