What are dentures?
Dentures are removable false teeth made to replace missing teeth. Healthdirect describes dentures as appliances that can support eating and speaking when teeth are missing, usually made of acrylic (plastic) or plastic with a lightweight metal frame (healthdirect). The Australian Dental Association explains that dentures can replace some or all teeth (teeth.org.au). Better Health Channel notes that practitioners aim to keep natural teeth where they can, and that a full or partial denture may still be needed when damage or gum problems lead to tooth loss (Better Health Channel).
Common types include a full denture (all teeth on one or both jaws, resting on the gums), a partial denture (some teeth, often held with clasps), and a removable implant-retained denture (sits on implants and gums). Suitability is individual after an exam, and often X-rays or other records.
Below, we walk through the usual visit pathway: consult and options, impressions or scan, try-in if used, fitting day, then early settling-in and follow-up. For looking after a denture day to day, or for other treatments, see our posts on caring for dentures at home, caring for dental bridges, looking after dental implants and what to expect after a tooth extraction. General information only; not a personal diagnosis.
Why might a dentist discuss dentures?
Dentures may be discussed when one or more teeth are missing and you want a removable replacement that sits on the gums (and, for some designs, on clasps or implants). Healthdirect notes that a dentist or dental prosthetist may speak with you about fitting dentures if you have missing teeth (healthdirect). The ADA and Better Health Channel describe full and partial options, and note that materials and designs differ (teeth.org.au; Better Health Channel).
A denture is one option among others that may come up — for example a dental bridge or a dental implant — depending on your mouth, remaining teeth, bone, bite and preferences. No one option suits everyone. At AMK Dental Clinic in Mortlake, that discussion includes benefits, risks and alternatives for your situation. Related pathway reading: what happens when you get a dental bridge.
What usually happens on the pathway to new dentures?
Steps vary with how many teeth are being replaced, whether extractions are needed first, and whether you have worn a denture before. Healthdirect and the ADA both note that making and fitting dentures often takes several appointments (healthdirect; teeth.org.au). Better Health Channel explains that several visits help confirm measurements and that the denture fits as planned (Better Health Channel).
A typical pathway often looks like this:
- Consult and options chat — history, exam and often X-rays or other records; benefits, risks and alternatives; timing if teeth need to be removed first
- Impressions or scan — moulds of your mouth, or a digital scan where used, so the denture can be custom-made; further bite and shape records as needed
- Try-in if used — some plans include a try-in visit so tooth set-up, look and bite can be checked in the mouth before the appliance is finished; not every pathway uses the same try-in step
- Fitting day — the finished denture is placed; comfort, speech and bite are checked; small adjustments may be made before you leave
- Early settling-in and follow-up — soft foods at first; time to adapt; review visits for sore spots or fit changes as gums settle
If teeth need to be removed first, Healthdirect and the ADA describe two common timings: waiting some months so gums and bone can heal before the final denture is made, or an immediate denture prepared beforehand and inserted on the day of removal (healthdirect; teeth.org.au). Better Health Channel notes that an immediate denture may loosen as bone changes and may need adjusting, relining or remaking sooner (Better Health Channel). Immediate designs are a timing choice, not an outcome promise. For care in the first days after a tooth is removed, see our post on what to expect after a tooth extraction.
The number of visits varies from person to person. Materials, laboratory steps and whether a digital scan is used can also differ, and your dentist can talk you through what is planned for your denture. During impressions you may feel tray pressure or cool material; during fitting you may feel pressure on the gums. Tell your dental practitioner if anything is uncomfortable.
What happens on fitting day and in the early settling-in period?
On fitting day your dental practitioner places the finished denture, checks how it sits on the gums (and clasps or implants where relevant), and may adjust edges or biting contacts before you leave. Healthdirect notes that wearing dentures can feel strange at first and that most people take a few months to get used to how they feel (healthdirect). Better Health Channel advises starting with soft foods, eating slowly and cutting food into small pieces, then building up as you adapt (Better Health Channel).
Speech can also take practice. Some people notice more saliva at first, or a sense that the denture feels awkward or loose. Follow-up appointments are common so small changes can be made (healthdirect; teeth.org.au).
Early settling-in is mostly about getting used to your denture and having adjustments made. For day-to-day cleaning tips, including rinsing, brushing and soaking, see our post on caring for dentures at home.
Call AMK Dental Clinic sooner if you have severe pain, ulcers that last more than a couple of weeks, bleeding gums, swelling, or a denture that presses unevenly and will not settle (healthdirect; Better Health Channel). If your denture cracks or chips, contact the practice as well. Do not reshape a denture yourself with household tools or adhesives that were not advised for your appliance.
There is no forever promise. Better Health Channel notes that dentures may need replacing or relining as gums change with age (Better Health Channel). The ADA explains that mouth shape can change over time so a denture no longer fits or functions as it should, and that material may be added to the base or a new denture may be needed (teeth.org.au). Results vary. Your dentist can talk you through costs and options for your situation.
How do you book a denture discussion at AMK Dental Clinic?
AMK Dental Clinic is a family and cosmetic dental practice in Mortlake, in Sydney’s Inner West. For an exam to discuss whether dentures or another option suits you, or a review if something feels off during the pathway, phone (02) 9739 6525, use the contact page, or see how to book an appointment at AMK. The clinic is at Shop 3, 46 Tennyson Road, Mortlake NSW 2137. See opening hours on the Contact page.
Your dentist will discuss whether dentures are suitable for you, and the benefits, risks and alternatives, at your visit. This is general information only.
This article is general information only and is not a substitute for advice about your own situation. Please speak with a dentist about your needs.
Common questions
What are dentures?
Dentures are removable false teeth made to replace missing teeth. Healthdirect describes full dentures that rest on the gums, partial dentures held with clasps around remaining teeth, and removable implant-retained dentures that sit on implants and gums. Materials are often acrylic (plastic), or plastic with a lightweight metal frame. Suitability is individual after an exam. Ask at AMK Dental Clinic in Mortlake about options for your mouth.
What usually happens on the pathway to new dentures?
A typical pathway is: discuss options; take measurements with impressions or a scan where used; a try-in if that step is part of your plan; fit the finished denture and check comfort and bite; then early settling-in with soft foods at first and follow-up adjustments as needed. Healthdirect and the Australian Dental Association note that making and fitting dentures often takes several appointments. Exact steps vary. Ask at AMK Dental Clinic what applies to you.
How is this different from denture care, bridges, implants or extraction aftercare?
Getting new dentures usually follows a pathway — consult, impressions or scan, try-in if used, fitting, then early settling-in. For day-to-day rinse, brush and soak tips, see our post on caring for dentures at home. Caring for dental bridges covers longer-term care under a fixed bridge, looking after dental implants covers care around an implant-supported restoration, and what to expect after a tooth extraction covers the first days after a tooth is removed.
What if new dentures feel loose, sore or awkward?
Healthdirect notes that new dentures can feel awkward or loose, cause irritation or soreness, or increase saliva at first, and that most people take time to adjust. Better Health Channel advises returning promptly if the denture presses and causes a sore spot. Phone AMK Dental Clinic on (02) 9739 6525 or use the contact page rather than waiting if pain is severe, ulcers last more than a couple of weeks, bleeding or swelling appears, or the fit feels very uneven.
How long do dentures last?
There is no forever promise. Better Health Channel notes that dentures may need to be replaced or relined over time as gums change with age. The Australian Dental Association explains that mouth shape can change so a denture no longer fits or functions as it should, and sometimes material is added to the base or a new denture is needed. How long an appliance lasts varies. Keep reviews at AMK Dental Clinic in Mortlake even when you have a full denture.
