Denture Work

Dental Prosthetic devices,

also known as Dentures are replacements for missing teeth. When a patient has missing teeth or have only a few healthy teeth, a dentist will recommend dentures which will recreate the natural shape of the mouth and bite.

Dentures are most suitable when there are only a few healthy teeth left in the mouth and other dental prosthetic devices like crowns and bridges are not recommended. Dentures can replace any missing teeth and even all the teeth in the mouth.

People who need to have dentures

People who are not willing to go through more expensive dental procedures such as dental implants.

Most denture work is available on the NHS. People who have a severe teeth erosion and crown and bridge work is just not possible.

In cases when many teeth are missing from the lower or the upper bite In cases when many teeth are missing from the lower or the upper bite

First dental appointment

The dentist will take an alginate impression of your mouth bite and send it to the dental laboratory where the denture will be made. The whole process will take 3 to 5 visits to the dentist until the new denture is properly fitted in the mouth and the bite is fully functional.

Denture types

1. Full Dentures

Full dentures replace all the teeth in the mouth. The dentures are made of a plastic material called acrylic, which is matching the colour of the gums and the teeth are made from porcelain or plastic. The full dentures are made to precisely matching the shape of the gums which creates suction that seals the dentures to the gums. Dental implants can also be used to attach the denture to the gums, but this will be a more expensive procedure.

New dentures may cause some discomfort at first and usually takes some time for the brain to adjust to it and accept it permanently. There are two type of full dentures which are immediate and conventional dentures.

Immediate dentures are made in advance when the teeth in the mouth are due to be extracted. The dentist will take impression of your mouth before the teeth are extracted and instruct the dental laboratory which teeth will be extracted and need replacement. This procedure is designed to provide an immediate replacement of the extracted teeth so the patient do not have to go without teeth during the healing period. The immediate dentures also can help the healing process and act as a protection to the gums. The only disadvantage of having an immediate denture is that it may require more frequent visits to the dentist as the denture need to be adjusted due to the shrinking of the gums during the healing period.

Conventional dentures are usually prescribed after 8 to 12 weeks after the teeth extraction when the gums has healed.

2. Partial Dentures

Partial dentures are for patients who have some healthy teeth remaining in the mouth. Partial dentures are designed to replace the missing teeth in between the natural teeth and prevent them from destabilising or moving position. Usually they are held in place by clasps fitted on the natural teeth and can be removed for cleaning.

The partial dentures can be made of metal cobalt-chrome framework or acrylic. Now days there are even more advanced technologies and material used for producing partial dentures such as Valplast Flexible Partials which offers flexible and durable option.

How to look after your denture

Dentures need to be looked after just like your natural teeth. They need to be cleaned regularly to avoid building plaque which can spread to the natural teeth and gum causing cavities and gum disease.

Dentists recommend to use a soft brush to clean the denture just like you would brush your teeth and with extra care to brush your tongue and the gum line. The dentures should be taken out over night and kept in water or a special denture cleaning solution.

How long the dentures last?

Dentures are not made to last forever but if they are fitted well and properly looked after they can last a very long time. Occasional visits to the dentist will still be required for check ups and adjustments.

Sometimes the dentist may use a denture liner to prolong the life of the denture. Denture liner is used to refit the dentures. It is not unusual the denture to brake or a tooth to crack due to accidental damage. It those cases you should contact your dentist or you can make an appointment with the local dental laboratory where the denture can be fixed.

Problems with your denture

New dentures can sometimes cause discomfort and even sores due to poor care or being badly fitted. If you having trouble wearing your dentures and the dentist is not able to adjust them, then a new dentures may need to be made.

It is not recommended to try to fix or adjust the dentures yourself. Although there are a denture fixing kit available on the market they are design as a temporary solution and may make the problem worst and unfixable later.

Speak to your dentist who will assess the problem and offer a suitable solution.

How much do dentures cost?

How much your denture will cost will depends on the material used and the number of teeth that need replacing. The cost of most acrylic dentures are covered by the NHS in the UK

but if you are a privet patient you will have to ask your dentist for the price. You will have to cover the full cost.

So if you are paying for your dentures privately it is always a good idea to ask to the prices in advance as most dental clinics and practices in the UK are privately owned and the price of their devices may vary from a few hundred pounds to a few thousands of pounds. Using dental insurance can usually provide you with a substantial savings but again you will need to know what services your insurance policy covers and up to how much.

Conclusion:

There are many reasons for patients of any age that may require teeth replacement due to accidents or tooth or gum diseases. So it is very important to maintain good oral hygiene practice to and visit your dentist at least twice a year for a teeth check up and cleaning.

Our list of services

Denture Work

Denture full upper or full lower

Denture full upper and full lower

Denture with 1 tooth

Denture 2 to 3 teeth

Denture 4 to 7 teeth

Denture 8 to 13 teeth

Additional items

Metal strengthener

Ball clasp

Wire anchor

Immediate teeth per tooth

Extension / renewing element/ anchor

Chrome Cobalt Frame

Frame 1 to 6

Frame 7 to 13

Valplast Flexible Partials

Flexible partials 1 to 4 teeth

Flexible partials 5 to 13

Valplast clasp Vita shade

Denture Repairs

Denture Repair

Additions

Relining

Soft lining

Extension/ renewing element/ anchor

Models

Hard plaster model

Trays

Special tray

Bleaching tray

Mouth guard

Hard bite-guard/ Retainer

If you need a new denture made, you should make an appointment with your dentist who will assess the state of your teeth and gums and advice you on the prosthetic devices that will be most suitable for you. The dentist will take an impression of your mouth and send it to us or their dental laboratory.

If you have an existing denture that is broken you can come straight to us or make an appointment with your local dental laboratory where it can be fixed.

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