Everything you need to know about full and partial dentures

What do I need to know about dentures? At The Lakes Denture Clinic, we want to help ensure you are comfortable during every stage of having dentures constructed and fitted, as well as after care. If you have questions, browse through our FAQ page or contact our friendly front office team to arrange a consultation.

A. Partial dentures are constructed to replace multiple missing teeth, as well as support the mouth, cheeks and lips. They can easily be taken out.

A. Complete and full dentures are the same thing. As with partial dentures, complete/full dentures are fully removable, replacing a whole mouth of teeth.

A. It’s important to clean dentures daily to keep them free of bacteria, plaque and tartar. To clean dentures, fill your bathroom sink to avoid breaking the denture run them under water, followed by a gentle brush with a denture toothbrush (or very soft toothbrush) using a denture cleaner or normal washing up detergent. Please do not use an electric toothbrush or regular toothpaste on your dentures as this may scratch the dentures with the abrasive that may be present.

A. There could be a few reasons, so it’s best to come and see our team if you’re concerned or your dentures are irritating you. Commonly the problem is bone resorption, which is the natural process of your gums shrinking over time or general wear and tear of your dentures.

A. A denture reline involves completely re-fitting the surface of your dentures. The process involves shaving the underside of the denture and replacing it with the appropriate material. This will help create better suction and fit along the gum.

A. We recommend coming to see our team roughly every 2 years.

A. It’s quite common for your gums to be swollen and painful after an extraction and denture placement. Ensure you are removing your dentures at night to let your gums rest. Once the swelling reduces, you may need a visit with our prosthodontists to refit your dentures. If you are concerned at all, please do not hesitate to contact us.

A. As with natural teeth, dentures may become discoloured over time. To help return them to their original condition, start by giving them a clean with a soft toothbrush and denture paste. Next, soak them overnight in a denture cleaner. Note, please only do this once a week, maximum. You can also purchase an ultrasonic denture cleaning device to complete the process.