Denture FAQs
19 January 2016
Dentures are removable false teeth, usually made of acrylic resin and sometimes nylon or metal. Partial dentures are used to replace one or a few missing teeth, and full dentures will be fitted if all of your upper or lower teeth are missing or need removing.
How are dentures fitted?
If you need dentures, we will assess your mouth and jaw and take a mold of your teeth and gums. This impression will be sent to one of the finest dental laboratories in the UK, Malcolm Gill Ltd., where your dentures will be produced and sent back to us for fitting in a few weeks’ time. At your next appointment you will have the opportunity to try your false teeth. We will assess the fit again and make sure you are happy and comfortable, if so then you can continue to wear your dentures from then on.
Do dentures hurt?
As false teeth are tailor-made to fit your mouth, they should not hurt. They do take some getting used to, and may feel a bit uncomfortable during the first three months as your gums and jawbone adjust to their new shape (if you had some teeth extracted before getting your dentures fitted). Once this period has passed, we may bring you back in to have your dentures relined or remade to fit the permanent shape of your gums.
Do dentures look real?
False teeth have a bad reputation for looking fake and making the wearer look older. In reality, modern dentures are produced using cutting-edge technology that results in very natural-looking teeth and gums. We take precise measurements of your mouth and jaw in order to make sure the fit is exactly right, so you don’t need to worry about ending up with an overbite or wobbly dentures!
How should I clean my dentures?
You can brush your false teeth as normal, just making sure that you are a bit gentle, especially at first. You can also take them out and wash them with soap and water. We recommend that you soak your dentures in water with a fizzy denture-cleaning tablet as well, in order to remove any food particles and prevent staining.
How long do dentures last?
If looked after well, your false teeth will last up to seven years. Since your jaw and gums are gradually changing shape as you get older, we will need take a new cast to make you a new set of dentures when this happens.