Dentures

Acrylic dentures use your gums and soft tissues for retention, especially in the case of complete dentures. A fixative such as Polygrip can also be used to help your denture stay in place. We can also use clasps or rests on the abutment teeth to help a partial denture stay in place. For ultimate stability, we can anchor your dentures with dental implants.

After a tooth is lost, a denture is used to replace the tooth. This will prevent the movement of the remaining teeth, thus maintaining the space for future restorations such as implants. Dentures can be more cost-effective than the other options for closing gaps, such as implants or bridges.

Dentures are designed to be hard-wearing, but they will last longer if you treat them with care. Dentures should be removed before you go to bed so your gums can have a rest, but they must be stored in water or denture fluid as they could lose their shape if allowed to dry out.

Clean your dentures with a toothbrush or a special denture brush and remember to keep your gums and any remaining teeth clean too. You will also need to attend regular check-ups so your dentist and hygienist can keep an eye on your oral health.

Avoid hard, chewy, sticky, spicy foods, and alcohol, especially when your dentures are first fitted. Eat slowly, take small bites, and cut food into manageable pieces.

It can take a little while to get used to your new dentures, especially if they are a complete set. Start with soft foods and gradually introduce harder ones over time. The amount of saliva in your mouth may increase, but this should soon improve as your mouth gets used to your replacement teeth.

You may find speaking is challenging at first, but this is temporary. Practice reading aloud to improve the way you speak with your dentures in. Any sore spots may indicate possible denture adjustments are needed.

Dentures are removable and so need to be taken out for cleaning and to give your gums a rest overnight. After a while, as your gum shrinks (this is a natural process which happens after teeth are lost) the denture may not have as good a fit. In this case your denture will need to be modified by a procedure called relining and, in some instances, a whole remake is required.