Affordable Dentures In Melbourne

Dentures are removable appliances used to replace missing teeth. They are fabricated using either acrylic or cobalt chrome, to which false teeth are added. Dentures help with speech and chewing, add support to your lips and chin, and improve the appearance of your smile.

There are two types of dentures –

  • Partial denture – which replaces one tooth or several teeth.
  • Full denture – which replaces the whole set of teeth, on the upper or lower.

Dentures are kept in place by clasps that anchor around neighbouring teeth or by their natural suction. On occasion, a denture fixative or glue is recommended to aid in this process.

All dentures are designed by the dentist or our dental technician to suit each patient’s needs.

Denture Information

Initial consultation

Your dentist will assess your needs and thoroughly examine your mouth for suitability for dentures, looking at –

  • Check for mobile teeth on all your existing teeth, as these may have to be removed before you get new dentures.
  • Looking at existing restorations, fillings, crowns, etc.
  • The health of your gums, to make sure there is no infection present.
  • The way the teeth bite together
  • If you have no natural teeth, access your gums and underlying bone.

You will be explained the procedure and a treatment plan will be given stating all the stages and the cost.

denture-information

Generally, 2 to 4 appointments will be necessary as dentures are made in stages. The stages are the same whether you have Full or Partial dentures. The only exception is an ‘Immediate denture’, when a tooth is extracted and fitted immediately to replace the missing tooth. This denture will then have to be adjusted or replaced in 3 to 6 months after the extraction.

The Procedure

Appointment One – Impressions (moulds) will be taken of both your upper and lower teeth. These are then sent to the dental laboratory, where the technician will fabricate a ‘special’ tray designed to fit your mouth perfectly and a wax bite block to record the way your teeth bite together.

Appointment Two – Impressions (moulds) will again be taken using the ‘special tray’ the technician has made. This helps to achieve a more accurate mould of your teeth and gums. The wax bite block will record how your teeth bite together. The impression and wax block are sent to the laboratory, where our technician will construct a trial denture. The shade of the teeth will also be taken at this stage.

Appointment Three – The trial denture: The teeth are now set in wax. The metal framework is completed for Cobalt Chrome dentures, and the teeth are attached to the framework with wax. Your dentures will be tried to ensure they fit correctly, are comfortable, and bite together correctly. Any adjustments will be made at this stage. Your dentures are again returned to the Laboratory for the final stage of completion.

Appointment Four – your dentures will be fitted.

Your Dentures

Getting used to new dentures will take a while, so time and patience are needed. Upper dentures may affect your speech for a few days while your tongue gets used to having the denture in place. Please persevere, as this will soon pass.

Dentures may cause soreness in the first 24 hours, if the soreness persists please contact your dentist as the dentures may need slight adjustments, this can be done at the surgery.

Keeping your dentures clean at all times is important. Rinse them after meals and brush them twice daily using toothpaste, soap, and water. Dentures must only be worn while awake; they must be removed at night as your gums need rest. Having this rest keeps your gums healthy. Your dentures can then be sterilised in a solution while you sleep; always rinse or brush them before putting them back in your mouth. If your dentures get stains you cannot remove, ask your dentist to clean them professionally at your next appointment.

It is important that you continue to have regular examinations with your dentist even if you have no natural teeth. The dentist needs to look for changes in your gums and the underlying bone and check your tongue, throat, cheeks, and lips for infection or signs of oral cancer.