Dentures and false teeth

A well-made denture lets you eat, talk and smile without thinking about it. A badly fitting one reminds you of itself all day. The difference is rarely the plastic. It's the fit, and fit comes from careful impressions, honest adjustment visits, and a dentist who wants to see you again after the fitting.

We make full dentures, partial dentures and chrome-framed dentures, and we repair and reline dentures made elsewhere. You don't need to know which one you need before you come in. That's what the first consultation is for.

Full and partial dentures

A full denture replaces all the teeth in the upper or lower jaw. It rests on the gum, and the upper one also uses the palate for suction. A partial denture replaces some teeth and clips to the natural teeth around the gap. It fills the space, stops neighbouring teeth from drifting, and gives you back chewing surface.

If you still have healthy natural teeth, we work to keep them. A partial denture around sound teeth is usually a better outcome than extractions and a full denture, and we'll tell you plainly when that's the case, even though it's the less expensive advice.

How the process runs: the dentist examines your mouth and takes impressions (moulds of your gums and any remaining teeth). A dental laboratory builds the denture in stages, and you come in between stages so we can check the bite, the fit and how the teeth look before anything is final. Expect a handful of visits rather than one long one: most new dentures take four to five visits over three to four weeks.

New dentures feel strange. Speaking takes practice for the first while, some words come out oddly, and eating starts with soft food cut small. Your mouth also makes more saliva at first. This is the normal adjustment period, not a sign the denture is wrong. But sore spots that don't settle are our job to fix, so come back for adjustments as often as you need them.

Chrome dentures

A chrome denture is a partial denture built on a thin metal frame instead of a thicker acrylic base. The frame makes it slimmer, stronger and more secure: it clips to your natural teeth precisely, covers less of your palate, and many people find it easier to talk and eat with. It costs more than an acrylic partial and takes longer to make, because the frame is cast for your mouth specifically.

Acrylic partials still have their place: as a first denture while your gums are still changing after extractions, or when budget matters more than slimness. We'll lay out both options with their prices before you decide.

Repairs and relines

If you're holding a broken denture right now: don't glue it. Household glue is not safe in the mouth and usually ruins the denture for proper repair. Keep all the pieces, wrap them in tissue, and phone us. Repairs go to the lab and are usually back in a day or two. Phone first and we'll tell you exactly.

A reline is different from a repair. Gums slowly change shape under a denture, and a denture that fitted well a few years ago can start rocking or trapping food. Relining refits the inside surface of your existing denture to the current shape of your gum, often much cheaper than a new denture, and we'll tell you honestly which one your denture needs.

Looking after a denture

Take it out at night and let your gums rest. Sleeping in a denture keeps the gum under pressure and encourages infections. Clean it daily with a soft brush and denture cleaner or plain soap, not toothpaste, which is abrasive enough to scratch acrylic. Store it in water so it doesn't dry out and warp. And keep your check-ups even with a full denture: we look at the fit, and at the health of your gums, tongue and cheeks, not just teeth.

What dentures cost

The price depends on what's being replaced and what it's built from. A single-tooth acrylic partial and a chrome full set are very different jobs. We don't publish a price list because it would mislead more than it helps. What you'll get instead: an examination, a clear recommendation, and a written quote before anything is made. Most medical aids contribute towards dentures but many limit how often. We'll help you check what your fund allows before you commit.

If missing teeth bother you but a denture doesn't appeal, implants and bridges are the alternatives, each with real pros and cons, compared honestly on those pages.

Frequently asked questions

How long do dentures last?

Years, with care, but not forever. The denture wears and your gums change shape, so expect relines along the way and eventually a remake. If yours is rocking, rubbing or trapping food, have it checked rather than enduring it.

Can you repair a denture that was made somewhere else?

Yes. Bring it in with all the pieces and we'll tell you whether it's repairable and what it will cost before we send it anywhere.

Will people be able to tell I'm wearing a denture?

Modern denture teeth are chosen to match your face, age and any remaining teeth. The tell-tale signs people fear (clicking, slipping, a too-perfect row of white) are mostly signs of a poor fit, which is exactly what the fitting visits are for.

Do I still need to see a dentist if I have no natural teeth left?

Yes, though less often. Gums shrink and change under a denture, and we also check the soft tissues of your mouth for problems that have nothing to do with teeth.

Can I sleep with my denture in?

It's better not to. Your gums need hours out of compression every day, and dentures worn around the clock encourage fungal infections under the plate.