What are they?
A removable denture replaces missing teeth. ‘Partial dentures’ replace a few missing teeth and ‘full’ dentures are needed if all the natural teeth are missing. Dentures are made of plastic and sometimes metal as well to make them strong and less bulky.

What will my dentist do?

• The dentist uses putty like material to make mould of your mouth – called impressions. A dental technician uses them to make plaster models for the denture to be built on
• The technician will make wax blocks which fit the plaster models. The dentist trims them to show the technician how your teeth should bite together and the shape to make the dentures.
• A trial denture is made and put in your mouth. The dentist will ask you how it fits, feels and looks before they make any final changes.
• The trial denture then goes back to the technician who permanently fixes the teeth. The denture is then ready for use.
• The dentist may want to see you again fairly soon to see how you are getting on with the denture. If there are problems, they can make adjustments. Dentists call this easing your denture.

What are the benefits?

• If you have lost some teeth, dentures can improve the way you look, bite, chew and speak.
• They are custom-made to match your mouth and can be made to look as natural as possible.
• You will be able to chew more efficiently.
• The teeth that are left are protected from wear and tear. Without dentures, the natural teeth may move or tilt, stopping your teeth biting together properly.
• Dentures can be fitted straight after teeth have been taken out so that nobody will know that you have had a tooth out. These are called ‘immediate’ dentures.
• When dentures are worn or badly fitted your facial muscles are unsupported leading to your face ‘sagging’. New dentures can improve this; indeed recent British research has proved that new dentures can make you look younger.

What are the problems?

• Dentures will never feel like your own teeth and it can take time to get used to them. If you haven’t had a denture before, the dentist will want to explain the difficulties of wearing dentures, as well as the benefits and how you should look after your new dentures and the teeth you have left.