Dentures

A denture replaces missing teeth with a removable appliance. It remains the lowest-cost way to replace several or all teeth, and modern dentures fit and look considerably better than those of a generation ago. They also come with realistic limits, and this page is honest about them.

Who provides denture treatment here

Dentures at Victorian Dental Group are prescribed and fitted by our general dentists. We are a general practice; none of our practitioners holds specialist registration. Dentures are made by dental laboratories we work with.

Why replace missing teeth

A gap left for years lets neighbouring teeth drift and tilt, lets the opposing tooth over-erupt into the space, shifts chewing load onto fewer teeth, and — with many teeth missing — changes the shape of the face as the jawbone shrinks. Replacing teeth earlier is easier than later.

There is also the part people mention more quietly: missing front teeth change how you speak, smile and eat in company. That is a legitimate reason to treat, and you do not need to justify it in clinical terms.

The types

Full (complete) denture — replaces all the teeth in one or both jaws. Held by suction and the shape of the gums. Upper full dentures usually sit well because the palate gives a large suction area; lower full dentures are notoriously harder to keep stable, because the tongue and a horseshoe-shaped ridge give far less to hold on to. That single fact is the main reason implant-retained dentures exist.

Partial denture — replaces some teeth, held by clasps on the remaining natural teeth.

• Acrylic partial — lower cost, bulkier, and often the right choice as an interim while other treatment is planned
• Metal (cobalt-chrome) partial — a thin cast metal frame with acrylic teeth. Stronger, thinner, less bulky, better fitting and more stable than acrylic. Higher cost
• Flexible partial — a nylon-type material with no metal clasps, more comfortable for some and more discreet, but harder to adjust and reline

Overdenture — a denture that sits over retained tooth roots, which give it more support and stability than gum alone. The roots underneath need the same cleaning as natural teeth, and they need to stay decay-free, so this suits people who can maintain them.

Implant-retained denture — clips onto two or more implants for a substantially more stable fit, particularly in the lower jaw. See implant dentures.

How a denture is made

Usually four to five appointments over three to six weeks.

1. Assessment and impressions. Examination of the remaining teeth and tissues, and a first impression.
2. Second impression in a custom tray, for accuracy.
3. Bite registration. Recording how your jaws meet, and the height between them. This determines your facial shape and how you chew, and it is the step that most affects the final result.
4. Wax try-in. The teeth are set in wax so you can see and approve the shade, shape and arrangement before the denture is finished. Look at it in a mirror, in daylight, and take your time. Changes at this stage are easy; after processing they are not.
5. Fit. The finished denture is inserted and adjusted.

Then a review within a week or so, and further adjustments as needed. These are expected, not a sign anything is wrong.

What to expect, honestly

There is an adjustment period. A new denture feels large, affects speech for a week or two, and can produce more saliva at first. Reading aloud for a few minutes a day genuinely helps speech settle faster. Sore spots are common early and are adjusted at review appointments — do not put up with them, and do not file the denture yourself.

Chewing is not the same as natural teeth. A full denture gives roughly a fraction of natural biting force. Cut food smaller, chew on both sides at once to keep the denture seated, start with softer food and build up, and expect hard and sticky foods to be difficult. Steak, apples and crusty bread are the usual culprits.

Dentures do not stop bone loss. The jawbone shrinks over time where teeth are missing, which is why a denture that fitted well loosens over the years and needs relining or remaking. A reline every few years, and a new denture roughly every five to eight, is normal and is not a failure of the original.

Immediate dentures — fitted on the day teeth are removed — mean you are never without teeth, but the gums shrink substantially as they heal, so an immediate denture will need relining or replacing within months. That cost should be in the plan from the start, not a surprise later.

Adhesives are a reasonable aid, not a fix. A denture that only works with adhesive needs relining. Use a thin layer, and clean it off completely each night.

Signs your denture needs attention

Difficulty chewing, looseness, clicking, sore spots that keep returning, speech changes, food trapping underneath, cracked or worn teeth, a bad smell despite cleaning, or a change in your facial appearance.

A sore spot that does not settle within two weeks of adjustment should always be examined rather than tolerated.

Caring for a denture

• Take it out at night. Sleeping in a denture is the leading cause of denture stomatitis — a red, sore, yeast-related inflammation of the palate. Gums need rest
• Clean it daily with a soft brush and denture cleaner or mild soap — not toothpaste, which scratches the surface, and not hot water, which warps it
• Soak overnight in water or a denture solution. Metal-framed dentures should not sit in some solutions; ask which suits yours
• Clean over a towel or a basin of water; dentures break when dropped
• Brush your gums, tongue and palate with a soft brush each morning. It stimulates the tissue and removes plaque
• Brush any remaining natural teeth thoroughly, especially where clasps sit — those teeth are at higher decay risk
• Keep up regular check-ups even with a full denture. We check the fit and examine the tissues underneath, including an oral cancer check

If a denture breaks, keep all the pieces and call us. Do not repair it with glue — household adhesives are toxic, and they make a proper laboratory repair harder or impossible.

Cost

Denture fees depend on the type, the materials and the number of teeth. You receive a written plan with all costs before treatment starts.

What drives the figure: acrylic against cobalt-chrome, the number of teeth, the quality of the tooth moulds, whether extractions or an immediate denture are involved, and whether a reline is anticipated.

Health funds generally cover dentures under major dental, often with an annual limit and a waiting period of up to twelve months. Ask for the item numbers and check with your fund before starting. HICAPS on-the-spot claiming is available. Afterpay and Zip accepted. See payment options.

Eligible pensioners and concession card holders may be able to obtain dentures through the public system at Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne, usually with a long waiting list. We will tell you if that is worth pursuing in your case.

Denture, bridge or implant?

Dentures are the least invasive and least expensive option. Their trade-off is stability and ongoing maintenance. A bridge is fixed but involves the neighbouring teeth; an implant preserves bone but involves surgery and higher cost. Many people start with a denture and move to implants later, and a denture made now is not a wasted step.

We will set out the options for your mouth, and we recommend a second opinion from another appropriately qualified practitioner if it would help.

Victorian Dental Group — 291 Wattletree Road, Malvern East VIC 3145 · (03) 9088 5808 · Monday to Friday, 8:00am–5:00pm · book online

This page is general information and does not replace advice from a registered dental practitioner about your own circumstances. Outcomes vary between individuals. Please see our Disclaimer.