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Full Dentures

Full dentures replace an entire upper or lower set of teeth, custom-made in our on-site lab at Bossley Park.

A clinician in a face mask and gloves examines a patient's teeth under a dental treatment light

A full denture replaces an entire set of teeth on the upper or lower jaw, where a partial denture only fills in the gaps left by missing teeth. It’s generally the right option once all the natural teeth on one or both jaws are gone, or are due to come out.

Who needs a full denture?

You might be considering a full denture if you’ve already lost all your teeth on one or both jaws, or if a dentist has advised that your remaining teeth aren’t able to be saved. Some people move to a full denture gradually, starting with a partial denture as more teeth are lost over the years; others need one fitted after a full extraction all at once. Either way, we’ll talk through your situation at a consultation before recommending anything.

How we make them

The process starts with an assessment of your gums and jaw, followed by impressions that go straight to our on-site laboratory. Because the lab is on the premises rather than being sent off-site, we can make adjustments during the fitting stage without you waiting weeks between visits. A full denture is built in stages — an initial fit, followed by one or more adjustment visits — so the final fit reflects how your mouth actually responds, not just the original impression.

What to expect early on

New dentures generally take some getting used to. It’s common to notice extra saliva, some looseness while your muscles learn to hold the denture in place, and a period of adjusting to speaking and eating with them. Soft foods cut into smaller pieces are usually easier while you adapt, and minor sore spots in the first weeks are normal and are exactly what adjustment visits are for — tell us where it’s rubbing and we’ll adjust the fit.

Caring for a full denture

Clean it daily with a soft brush and a denture cleaner rather than ordinary toothpaste, which can be abrasive. Take it out overnight to give your gums a rest, and keep it in water or a denture-soaking solution so it doesn’t dry out and warp. Your gums and jawbone continue to change shape after your teeth are gone, which is why a denture that fitted well a year or two ago may need a reline — we check for this at your regular visits.

Book a consultation

Call us or use the contact form to book a consultation about full dentures. Bring your health fund card if you have one, so we can check what applies to you.

FAQ

Common questions about Full Dentures

How long do dentures last?

Most full dentures last around five to eight years before they need replacing outright, though many need a reline well before then. Your gums and jawbone keep changing shape after your teeth are gone, so a denture that fitted well in year one can start to feel loose by year two or three — that's usually fixed with a reline rather than a whole new denture. We check the fit at your regular visits so a changing bite gets picked up early, not once it's already causing problems.

How do I stop my dentures moving when I eat?

Start with softer foods cut into smaller pieces while you're still adjusting, and chew evenly on both sides of your mouth rather than favouring one side — that keeps the denture seated instead of tipping it. If a denture keeps lifting or rocking well after the initial adjustment period, that's usually telling you the fit has changed rather than something you're doing wrong, and it's worth having us check whether it needs a reline. Adhesive can help in the meantime, but it's not a substitute for a denture that actually fits.

Can I get dentures if I've just had teeth out?

Yes — this is called an immediate denture, and it's fitted on the same day as your extractions so you're not without teeth while you heal. It takes extra planning beforehand, since impressions are taken before the extractions happen, and there's an adjustment period afterwards as your gums heal and change shape, which usually means it needs relining sooner than a denture fitted onto already-healed gums. We'll talk through whether an immediate denture suits your situation, or whether waiting until healing is complete makes more sense for you.

How long between extraction and dentures?

With an immediate denture there's no gap at all — it's fitted the same day as your extractions, so you leave with teeth. With a conventional denture you'll wait until your gums and jawbone have finished healing and settled into their new shape, which generally takes several weeks to a few months, so the fit is built around your mouth as it will actually stay rather than gums that are still changing. We'll give you a timeframe specific to your healing once we've assessed you.

You might also find this useful

Full vs Partial Dentures: How the Choice Is Made

How we work out which one is right for you.

What Affects the Cost of Dentures?

What drives the price up or down, and how rebates work.

What to Expect at Your First Denture Appointment

What your first visit actually involves.

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