• A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues.
• Two types of dentures are available complete and partial.
• Complete dentures are used when all the teeth are missing.
• Partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain.

Complete dentures
• Complete dentures can be either ‘conventional’ or ‘immediate.’ Made after the teeth is removed and the gum tissue has begun to heal, a conventional denture is ready for placement in the mouth about 8 to 12 weeks after the teeth has been removed.

Partial dentures
• A removable partial denture usually consists of replacement teeth attached to a pink or gum-coloured plastic base.
• This base is usually connected by metal framework that holds the denture in place in the mouth.
• There are also materials available that allow the partial denture to be made without a metal framework.

Are there alternatives to dentures?
• Yes, dental implants can be used to support a permanently cemented bridge, eliminating the need for a denture.
• The implants can also be used as extra retention for a ‘snap’ fit of a conventional denture. Usually they cost more, but implants and bridges feel more like real teeth.
• Dental implants are becoming the alternative to dentures, but not everyone is suitable for implants. Consult the dentist for advice.

How are dentures made?
The denture development process takes about two months and several appointments. Once your dentist or prosthodontist (a dentist who specialises in the restoration and replacement of teeth) determines what type is best for you, the general steps are to:
• Make a series of impressions of your jaw and take measurements of how your jaws relate to one another and how much space is between them.
• Create models, wax forms, and/or plastic patterns in the exact shape and position of the denture to be made. You will ‘try in’ this model several times and the denture will be assessed for colour, shape, and fit before the final denture is cast.
• Make adjustments as necessary.

What do new dentures feel like?
• New dentures may feel a little odd or loose for a few weeks until the muscles of your cheek and tongue learn to keep them in place and you get comfortable inserting and removing them.
• In addition, it is not unusual for minor irritation or soreness to occur and for saliva flow to increase when you first start wearing dentures, but these problems will decrease as your mouth adjusts to the new denture.

Will dentures make me look different?
• Dentures are made to closely resemble your natural teeth, so there should be no noticeable change to your appearance.
• In fact, dentures may even improve your smile and fill out your facial appearance.

Will eating with new dentures be difficult?
• Eating with new dentures will take practice and may be uncomfortable for some wearers for a few weeks.
• To get used to the new denture, start with soft foods cut into small pieces or thin strips as opposed to a small chunk.
• Chew slowly, using both sides of your mouth. As you get used to your new dentures, add other foods until you return to your normal diet.