Stable, effective, and natural-looking
replacement teeth
Dentures are removable false teeth that come with a host of benefits, including helping to improve how you eat and speak, as well as boosting your confidence by restoring your smile. Partial dentures can be used for a few missing teeth, and full dentures replace a whole set of teeth on the upper or lower jaw.
Why have dentures?
If you are missing a single tooth, or have multiple missing teeth you would like to replace, dentures are a strong, stable, and effective option. They can enhance facial shape, especially around the lips and in the cheek area. They are usually made from acrylic, or a combination of acrylic and metal, and modern materials mean that partial dentures will blend in beautifully with existing teeth, and complete dentures can pass for the real thing.
Replacing a full set of teeth with complete dentures provides vital support to your facial structure, keeping it from prematurely sagging around your cheeks and jaw. Partial dentures help your remaining natural teeth stay in position, stopping them from moving and causing you problems with misalignment.
What is involved in having dentures made?
Making and fitting dentures can be quite an involved process so you may have to attend several appointments to ensure the final set of dentures are a secure and comfy fit.
Following a comprehensive consultation, impressions of your mouth will be taken so a wax model can be produced and checked for fit, bite, and comfort. This is changed and adjusted until we are both happy with the look and feel of the model.
Your final set of dentures will be manufactured in a laboratory and, when ready, you will be invited in for a fitting. If you are having complete dentures, these will be fitted in the top or bottom of your mouth. This complete denture will consist of a gum-coloured arch with a set of prosthetic teeth attached. Partial dentures will be used if you only have one or a few missing teeth and may be held in place with metal hooks attached to existing teeth.
It can take a little while to get used to your new dentures, so we give you some tailored tips and advice to help.
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Different types of dentures
There are different types of dentures depending on the material that the base is made from. The best of these is undoubtedly a cobalt chrome base. This can be made smaller and often does not cover the roof of your mouth. It relies on adjacent teeth to keep it in place. It is very close fitting and has to be made more precisely than other types. It can only be used where the other teeth and gums are quite healthy.
If you are not suitable for a cobalt chrome denture or want a slightly cheaper alternative, then dentures are made from acrylic. These tend to be a bit bulkier than the cobalt chrome, usually cover the roof of your mouth, and are slightly more inclined to fracture. However, if made well there is no reason why they should not last many years.
Sometimes it is possible to make small flexible dentures (Valplast) that grip adjacent teeth. These can only be used in certain situations.
Dentures with special attachments for added stability
Some people are put off partial dentures due to the worry they will slip or move when they are talking or eating. At Finest Smile, we offer partial dentures with special attachments that secure your denture to your existing natural teeth and help it feel more stable in your mouth without any visible clasps!
Dentures with special attachments are easy to look after, often smaller than other types and give you confidence when chewing. They are a great alternative to dental implants for patients with significant bone loss in the jaw.
Book an appointmentTired of loose dentures?
- Are you tired of your dentures constantly slipping and sliding around in your mouth?
- Do you struggle to eat, speak or laugh with confidence because of your unstable dentures?
- Are you fed up of constantly using Fixodent?
- We have helped thousands of patients restore their confidence. Research has shown that secure, tight-fitting dentures offer many benefits, including improved speech and better chewing ability, in addition to increased confidence and self-esteem.
Here’s how we can help…
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Option 1 Implant retained denture - from £4,990
A brand-new denture fitted securely on implants for a tight, no slip fit. If you are not happy with your dentures because they slip or do not fit properly, then implant retained dentures are a perfect option for you. They will not only look like natural teeth but will also significantly improve your chewing and speech, allowing you to eat and speak with confidence.
Implant retention is suitable for both full and partial dentures. The process is quick and painless, and suitable for all ages.
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Option 2 Denture with special attachments - from £3,500
If you have remaining natural teeth, special attachment partial dentures could be the perfect choice. Traditional metal clasps are replaced by small attachments, which are crafted by the laboratory to connect to fixed restorations (crowns or bridges) in your mouth. These dentures can usually be made with a reduced palate, perfect for those who cannot manage a full palate coverage denture.
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Option 3 All-on-X – complex fixed bridge on 4-6 implants
Teeth Now, also known as All-on-X, is a revolutionary new technique whereby a whole arch of failing or missing teeth is replaced with dental implants and a fixed temporary bridge in a single visit, so patients can be free from their dentures on the day of implant placement. The first step is to meet your dentist, who will listen to your wishes, desires and priorities, and give their recommendation of the best options for you.
Frequently asked questions
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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.
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Yes. We are able to offer same or next-day returns for dentures where needed.
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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.
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You should wear your dentures for around 8 hours a day at least. This gives your jawbone and gums time to get used to the dentures and prevents sore spots from developing. It is preferable to take them out at night time to give your gums a chance to rest.
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It’s best to avoid hard & chewy foods, as well as sticky or spicy foods and alcohol while your mouth is sore or healing. To get used to the feeling of dentures, you should try not to rush eating so you can focus on the eating process and take small bites or cut up your food into bite-size pieces so less chewing is required.
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It can take a little while to get used to your new dentures, especially if they are a complete set. They may feel odd at first and eating can be tricky, so it may be a good idea to start with softer foods and slowly introduce more challenging items. The amount of saliva in your mouth may increase, but this should soon improve as your mouth gets used to your replacement teeth.
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Initially, speaking may be difficult but you can improve this by reading aloud. If you are experiencing any sore spots in your mouth, the denture surface may need some adjustment.
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New dentures may feel awkward for a few weeks until you become accustomed to them. The dentures may feel loose while the muscles of your cheeks and tongue learn to keep them in place. It is not unusual to experience minor irritation and soreness initially. You may find that saliva flow temporarily increases. These problems should diminish with wear.
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We offer 3 types of dentures – acrylic dentures, flexible acrylic dentures (valplast/sunflex etc), and metal (chrome-cobalt) dentures. Many patients already have a preference in mind, however, we can recommend which would be best for you, depending on your individual circumstances and what features are most important to you.
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In most cases, yes. Small adjustments can often be made to improve fit over time, and we will be happy to make any adjustment possible to make your dentures comfortable.
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We can usually organise to have a soft lining added to your denture to make it more comfortable for you.
