Complete dentures are one of the possible treatment options when considering a replacement for all your teeth. Below are some FAQ’s on the commonly asked questions we receive at The Denture & Implant Clinic.
What Are Complete Dentures?
Complete dentures are a removable tooth replacement option, which means that they are not permanently fixed in your mouth. You will need to remove them when you sleep and to clean them. As they are not fixed in place, you will always get some movement. This also depends upon how much bone you have – a general rule of thumb is that the more bone you have, the better the dentures stay in.
How Long Do They Take To Make?
Complete dentures normally take four weeks to make. If you are in a rush, we can speed up the process.
What’s The Fastest You Can Make A Set Of Complete Dentures?
We will always do our best to accommodate your needs and if everything is booked in advance, we can make them in around three days after taking a complete denture impression. There have even been times when a denture has been made in a day. The speed often depends upon your individual situation, whether you have a current set of dentures, and our availability.
Will I Need To Use Fixative? How Will I Know How Good The Dentures Will Be?
Everyone’s mouth is different and some people have a very good bony ridge that the dentures can sit on, whereas others have a very resorbed (shrunk) ridge. The more bone you have, the better the dentures will stay in.
In addition to your bone, other factors also make a difference:
- The muscular tone of your cheeks
- Your salivary consistency
- Not just the amount of bone, but where it is and its shape
- The shape of your palate
- If you have any undercuts in the bone
- Where your muscles attachments are
- The thickness of the gums
- The mobility and flabbiness of the gums
- How deep the ridge is
- The shape of your soft palate
Another thing we do during complete denture consultations is look at your current dentures to see how much of an improvement we can make. These are some of the things we look at:
- Your bite
- The fit
- How well into covers the bone and what parts of the bone it covers
- The cosmetics
We offer free consultations so we are able to tell you realistic expectations on how good your dentures will be. If we don’t think we can improve on them, we will always be up front about it and offer alternative solutions.
What’s The Difference Between NHS And Private Dentures?
Here’s a blog that explains the differences briefly.
Which Teeth Do You Use?
We use a few different varieties depending on which teeth would best suit you.
About 80% of the time, we will use Ivoclar Vivadent teeth. Other types we use include:
- Schottlander Enigma
- Ivoclar Phonares
How Long Will The Dentures Last?
Seven years is a good time for dentures to last; after that, they show signs of staining and wear. If you select our 3D denture option, the teeth normally last around 10 years. You can always keep the dentures for longer if they are wearing well, and some patients have kept them for over 15 years.
What Happens If I Lose Weight Or My Mouth Changes?
Losing weight does not normally affect the fit of dentures; however, if you have a lot of weight loss and your mouth changes, we can do something called a re-line. This can be done while you wait at the dental clinic and you will not need to be without the denture.
Learn Whether Complete Dentures Are Right For You
At The Denture & Implant Clinic, the first and most important step is a thorough examination and consultation with and our team of professionals. We can show you complete dentures before and after photos, discuss complete dentures cost, and other teeth replacement options as needed. To schedule an appointment, call our office at 020 8629 1226.
