What Are Full Dentures?

Full dentures are a type of dental prosthesis professionally made by a dentist to help patients who are struggling with missing teeth. They consist of a pink-toned acrylic gum and false teeth. They are designed to replace a full jaw of teeth, allowing for improved speech and ability to chew.  

Who Are Full Dentures For? 

Full dentures are for anyone struggling with missing teeth. There are many solutions for missing teeth, but dentures are a great option for people who want a non-invasive solution. 

Generally, full dentures are recommended if you have no teeth remaining on an arch (upper or lower) or if your existing teeth are badly damaged and need extracting. If you have healthy teeth remaining in your mouth, we may recommend one of our partial dentures instead. 

At Synergy, removing teeth is always a last resort, and we will always do our best to suggest options that will preserve the natural teeth, though in some situations tooth extractions can be unavoidable. 

What Are The Different Types Of Full Dentures?

We offer three different types of full dentures, allowing for your denture to be tailored to your needs and budget. 

Acrylic Full Dentures: Our acrylic full dentures are made from medical grade plastic and are lightweight, strong, and affordable, however they can be thicker and have a less natural appearance. 

Metal Full Dentures: These full dentures are made from a combination of acrylic with medical grade metal backing for improved strength and durability for a longer lasting denture. 

Suction Dentures: The best fitting denture available, suction dentures use a special moulding technique that allows the dentures to stick to the mouth without the need for denture glue! These are the best full dentures if you’re looking for a superior fit and a higher level of comfort.

In addition to various types of materials available, we also offer our dentures in various levels of material quality to create a wide range of customisable options to suit every patient. 

Our Bronze quality full dentures are the most affordable dentures option available, and are a great solution for those looking for cost-effective or temporary solutions to missing teeth. 

Our Gold quality full dentures use a wider range of shades to create the most natural appearance. The teeth are designed with a natural-looking shade variation, with a darker tone towards the gum line and translucency towards the biting edge to mimic the appearance of real teeth. 

In addition, we can also apply finance to all full denture options, allowing you to spread the cost of your treatment. 

About Suction Dentures

Suction dentures are created using a unique moulding technique, designed to remove the need for denture glue. Using a soft-touch silicone base and a diaphragm, suction dentures create a vacuum seal that sticks the denture to the gum using atmospheric pressure. This makes it almost impossible for your dentures to shift or fall out during the day, letting you live life with confidence. 

Suction dentures are also much more comfortable, and can be a good alternative for people who have struggled with traditional dentures in the past. 

What Should I Expect When Getting Full Dentures? 

Creating dentures is a simple process that can be performed by most general dentists. The dentures treatment process usually consists of three stages. The procedure is non-invasive, meaning the process of having full dentures is pain free from start to finish.  

Step 1 – Measuring 

When you first decide to have full dentures, the first step is creating an accurate model of your mouth to use as a basis to create your prosthetic. 

At Synergy, we work hard to keep on the cutting edge of technology. We may use a combination of digital scanning techniques as well as traditional impressions in order to create the most accurate image of your mouth possible to ensure a high-quality fit for your full denture. 

Step 2 – Manufacture

Once your dentist has created a model of your mouth, our dental laboratory will create your prosthetic using the materials you’ve agreed with your dentist. Every full denture from Synergy is bespoke designed to suit each individual patient, creating a beautiful appearance. 

Step 3 – Wear

Once your full dentures have been prepared by our dental lab, your dentist will check the fit of your denture, ensuring it feels comfortable and looks natural. If necessary, your dentist can make minor adjustments to the fit. Sometimes it can take a few weeks to get used to wearing a denture, but as this is a non-invasive procedure, you’ll be ready to start eating and smiling straight away! 

FAQ

How To Care For My Full Denture?

Caring for full dentures is simple with some equipment and practice. 

After every meal, rinse your dentures clean of food particles. At the start and end of every day, brush your denture with a special soft-bristles denture cleaning brush and a denture cleaning paste or a non-abrasive toothpaste that has been approved by your dentist. Do not use a normal toothbrush or a whitening toothpaste, as these can scratch your denture and damage the appearance. When brushing your dentures, also brush any natural teeth in your mouth and gently brush your gums to prevent decay. 

Soak your dentures overnight with a special denture cleaning solution several times a week, or use a special sonic ‘denture spa’ for a deeper clean – check with your dentist that your denture is compatible with any cleaning solutions or denture cleaning appliances if you are unsure, and they will be able to advise you. 

Do not use boiling water to clean your dentures as this can warp your appliance and damage the fit. 

When your denture is not in use, keep it hydrated in a glass of water or denture cleaner. 

What Are The Benefits Of Full Dentures?

Full dentures have many benefits including: 

• Higher confidence in your appearance
• Better ability to chew
• Improved speech
• Improved bite and better jaw alignment
• Give support back to the facial muscles and make the face look more youthful and lifted
• Lower cost compared to other missing teeth solutions
• Custom made to fit your mouth
• Non-invasive procedure, with no need for drilling or anaesthetic
• Protects the gums

What Are The Risks Of Full Dentures?

All dental procedures come with some form of risk. As the procedure is non-invasive, the potential risks of dentures are far less than the risks associated with other solutions for missing teeth.

Some risks associated with full dentures include: 

• Soreness or allergies due to denture glues
• Trauma to the gums from ill fitting dentures
• Muscle soreness and discomfort during the initial wearing period
• Loose dentures may cause infection and cuts/ulcers – avoid this by getting your dentures replaced when they no longer fit. 
• Potential bone loss from the pressure of the partial denture if it is worn overnight – avoid this by ensuring you take your denture out at night to give your gums time to rest. 

Full Dentures vs Same-Day Dental Implants: Which Is Better? 

Both full dentures and Same-Day implants are designed for the same purpose – they both replace missing teeth. Which one is better depends entirely on the individual patient. 

Same-Day dental implants offer a fixed solution, using a metal ‘screw’ to anchor the teeth to the jaw and mimic the natural tooth root, offering increased security and confidence in your teeth. However this option is much more costly and requires a surgical procedure. 

Full dentures are much more affordable by comparison. They do not require any surgery, making them suitable for people who are on certain medications that would bar them from having dental implants. Full dentures are also easily removed at home for simple cleaning. 

No one option is better than the other. At Synergy, our dentists alway want to help you find the right option for your needs. 

How Long Do Full Dentures Last? 

With proper care full dentures can last between 5-15 years, though they can last longer. How long your full dentures can last depends on a range of other factors, including your oral hygiene routine, existing medical conditions, and the quality of materials used. To keep your full dentures looking their best, maintain a good cleaning routine and follow your dentist’s care instructions. 

Are Full Dentures Comfortable? 

Full dentures can be uncomfortable initially. This is because your gums and facial muscles need to get used to holding the dentures in place in your mouth. You may find eating and speaking with dentures a little difficult at first, but over time you will get used to the feeling of wearing your dentures. 

If you experience extreme discomfort, you can see your dentist for adjustments to your denture to improve the comfort. 

What Foods Should I Avoid With Full Dentures?

Full dentures can help you to enjoy food once again, opening up a range of foods you may not have been able to eat before. Whilst eating normally is possible with dentures, there are still some foods to avoid to keep your dentures looking their best. 

Hard or crunchy vegetables such as carrots should not be consumed raw, instead they should be steamed until tender to make them easier to eat. 

Certain fruits such as pears or apples should be cut into smaller pieces to make them more manageable, rather than biting directly into the fruit. 

Just like you would with your natural teeth, you should also avoid sugars, sticky sweets, and anything that can stain your dentures like coffee, tea, and wine. 

Can Full Dentures Be Repaired? 

It may be possible for your dentist to perform a quick repair to your full dentures in the clinic on the same day. However, if your dentures are badly damaged, your dentist may not have the necessary equipment to repair your denture and will need to send your appliance back to the dental lab. You may need to go without your denture for a few days whilst it’s being repaired – talk to your dentist about possible solutions if you’re concerned about being without a denture. 

In some cases, your denture may be beyond repair and will need to be replaced. 

At Synergy, our priority is maintaining the best oral health possible for our patients, and we will always recommend the option that is best for your smile. 

How Much Do Full Dentures Cost?

The cost of full dentures varies based on the materials being used. Using less expensive materials will result in a cheaper denture for those looking for a more affordable option – especially for those seeking a temporary solution without needing to compromise on quality. We allow dental finance for all of our full denture options as part of our commitment to make dental care more accessible. For the latest information on the cost of full dentures, visit our pricing page.