Treatments
Dentures
Replacing missing teeth so you can eat and speak comfortably and feel settled about how your smile looks. Dentures take some getting used to, and being told that honestly beforehand makes the first few weeks considerably easier.
What is available
Full dentures
Replace all the teeth in an upper or lower arch, resting on the gums. Uppers tend to hold well by suction. Lowers are usually the harder of the two to keep stable, which is worth knowing before you start.
Partial dentures
Fill gaps where some natural teeth remain, clipping onto those teeth for support. Generally more stable than a full denture, and they help stop remaining teeth drifting into the space.
Repairs and relines
Cracked, broken or loose dentures can usually be sorted rather than replaced. Relines refit the surface as your gums change shape over the years, which is normal rather than a sign anything went wrong.
The honest version of getting used to them
New dentures feel strange, and anyone who tells you otherwise is managing your expectations badly. The first week or two involves more saliva, awkward speech and relearning how to eat.
That settles. Knowing it is a normal stage rather than a sign something is wrong is what gets most people through it, and sore spots along the way are usually a five-minute adjustment rather than a problem with the denture.
- 01
The first week
More saliva than usual, some difficulty with certain sounds, and a general awareness of them. This is the stage people find hardest, and it is temporary.
- 02
Learning to eat
Start soft and cut things small. Chew evenly on both sides rather than favouring one, which keeps the denture seated. Build up to harder food gradually.
- 03
Adjustments
Sore spots are normal early on and are usually fixed in minutes. Come back rather than enduring it, and do not file or adjust anything yourself.
- 04
Settling in
By a few weeks most people are eating and speaking without thinking about it. Regular reviews then keep the fit right as your gums change.
A denture is not the only option
For a single missing tooth with healthy teeth either side, a bridge is often more comfortable because it is fixed in place. Dental implants are not a treatment I provide, and if that is the better answer for you I will refer you to someone who does them.
Frequently asked questions
Book a denture consultation
Whether it is a first denture, a replacement, or something loose that needs relining, start with a look and a written quote. Repairs can often be turned around quickly.