Dentures

If you have a few or all of your teeth missing, one solution is to have a denture.

Here is how a denture works:

1. A denture is made from hard-wearing material that mimics the look of teeth and gums to give your mouth a natural appearance.
2. After impressions are taken, a denture is designed in a dental laboratory.
3. Dentures are made to fit snugly on your gums and you will be able to remove them for cleaning.

When you wear a denture for the first time it may take some getting used to when speaking or eating and chewing.  It is important that you take extra care when conducting your hygiene regime so that you can avoid bad breath, tooth decay and gum disease. The hygienist will be able to show you how to best take care of your denture and gums and will tell you about specialised brushes you can use to do this.

If you have loose or ill-fitting dentures your ability to eat and speak may become affected. Due to advances in dentistry, there is now a procedure whereby your denture can be fixed to your jaw with dental implants. This treatment, known as implant overdentures or denture stabilisation, offers patients with dentures a more permanent solution and can significantly improve quality of life. You will be able to enjoy your favourite foods again and feel comfortable smiling in the knowledge that your dentures are staying put.

Here is how it works:

1. Your dentist will thoroughly assess your current condition with photos and 3D x-rays.
2. An appropriate treatment plan tailored to your needs will be discussed.
3. Your dentist place the implants placed into your jaw.
4. Once the implants have integrated with the bone and surrounding tissues for a period of time, your dentures are clipped onto the implants through a range of special fixtures.
5. This means your dentures can still be removed for cleaning, but will stay firmly put once in place.