- Rests on the gums and palate; its grip depends on a precise fit
- Most patients take a few weeks to get used to it
- The bone changes over time, so periodic relining is needed
A full denture is a removable denture made when no teeth are left in a jaw; in everyday language, a set of false teeth. It consists of a pink acrylic base with artificial teeth set on it. The upper denture covers the whole palate; the lower one is horseshoe-shaped and leaves room for the tongue.
A full denture is held in place not by screws or clasps but by its fit. The upper denture sits on the palate over a wide surface; when its edges are shaped correctly, the thin film of saliva underneath creates a suction effect. That is why the impressions and try-ins during the making stages decide most of the result.
What stages does making a full denture involve?
| Stage | What is done |
|---|---|
| 1. First impression | The overall shape of the jaw is recorded and a custom impression tray is made for you. |
| 2. Detailed impression | The edges are moulded to the movements of your lips, cheeks and tongue. This impression is the foundation of the denture's grip. |
| 3. Bite registration | The position of the jaws relative to each other, the height of the face, lip support, and the shade and size of the teeth are determined. |
| 4. Wax try-in | The teeth, set in wax, are tried in your mouth. Appearance and speech can still be changed at this stage. |
| 5. Fitting | The denture is fitted, and pressure points and the bite are checked. |
| 6. Adjustment visits | Short adjustment appointments in the first days and the weeks that follow. |
At the wax try-in it is important that you look at yourself in the mirror. Anything you say at that stage about the colour and length of the teeth, or how they support your lips, can be changed easily; once the denture is finished, changes are much harder.
If teeth are about to be extracted: the immediate denture
If your last remaining teeth are to be taken out, a temporary denture fitted on the day of the extractions (an immediate denture) can be made so that you are never without teeth. It is prepared from impressions taken before the extractions. Because the gum and bone shrink noticeably in the months after extraction, the immediate denture gradually loosens and is relined along the way. Once the tissues have settled into shape, usually within three to six months, the permanent denture is made.
Why is a lower denture harder to keep in place?
This is the most common complaint among people who wear full dentures, and it is usually not the denture's fault. In the lower jaw, the surface the denture rests on is considerably smaller than in the upper jaw, and because the tongue and the floor of the mouth are constantly moving, the suction effect of an upper denture cannot be achieved. On top of that, bone loss generally progresses faster in the lower jaw. As a result, a lower denture stays in place largely because the muscles of the tongue, cheeks and lips hold it there.
Some patients learn this control within a few months and live comfortably with a lower denture. If the bone has shrunk a great deal, or the denture keeps lifting while you eat, securing it with attachments on two implants placed in the lower jaw often makes a marked difference. We explain these options in detail on the implant-supported prosthetics page.
What to expect while you get used to it
- Saliva: In the first days your mouth treats the denture like food, so saliva increases; it soon returns to normal.
- Speech: Sounds such as s, sh and z in particular may come out differently. Reading a book aloud speeds up adaptation.
- Eating: Cut food into small pieces and try to chew on both sides at once; chewing on one side lifts the denture on the other. Biting into food with your front teeth can also tip the denture.
- Sore spots and pressure: Small sore spots are common in the first weeks. Do not sand the denture down yourself; it is corrected at an adjustment appointment.
- Sensation: Because an upper denture covers the palate, the temperature and texture of food may feel different for a while.
Most patients get used to speaking and eating within a few weeks; it can take a few months for chewing to settle fully.
Why does a denture loosen over time?
After teeth are extracted, the jawbone keeps slowly thinning over the years. The denture stays the same while the foundation beneath it changes, and the gap shows up as looseness, food getting underneath and sore spots. The solution is to rebuild the fitting surface of the denture to match the new tissue: a reline. It is sometimes done the same day in the clinic, sometimes in the laboratory.
A denture whose teeth have worn down, which has lost facial height or which has been relined many times needs replacing. Signs of this can include the lower part of the face looking shorter, cracks at the corners of the mouth and frequently biting your cheeks. Needing more and more adhesive every day also shows that the denture no longer fits. A sore that has not healed within two weeks, or an overgrowth of tissue on the gum that keeps getting bigger, must always be examined — by us, or by a dentist near you if you are not in İzmir — even if it seems to be caused by the denture.
Daily care
Clean the denture every day with a soft brush and soapy water or a denture cleaner; abrasive toothpastes scratch the acrylic surface. Take it out at night and keep it in water so that it does not dry out. The gums, palate and tongue should also be cleaned with a soft brush while the denture is out; fungal infection is more common under an upper denture that is left in overnight.
Alternatives to a conventional full denture
A conventional full denture is still a valid solution for patients who do not want implants or are not suitable for them. For those who want a denture that does not move at all, or who want their palate left uncovered, there are implant options: attachment-retained dentures, or fixed full-arch bridges such as All-on-4. The general comparison of all types of prosthesis is on the dentures and prosthetic dentistry page. At the first examination at our clinic in İzmir, we look at your jaw, your existing denture if you have one, and your expectations, together with you.
Common questions
Should I use denture adhesive?
Adhesive is not essential with a well-fitting denture, but a small amount can be used for a feeling of security, especially with a lower denture. If you find yourself needing more and more every day, the denture has loosened and needs relining or replacing. Remove all the adhesive from the denture and your gums every evening.
Can I sleep with my denture in?
We advise against it. The palate and gums need a few hours a day without the denture; fungal infection and irritation are more common under a denture left in overnight. Take it out, clean it and keep it in water.
My denture is giving me sore spots. What should I do?
Small sore spots are to be expected in the first weeks; at an adjustment appointment that area of the denture is eased. Do not file the denture down yourself at home; removing material from the wrong place spoils the grip. A sore that lasts longer than two weeks should be examined, even if it seems to be caused by the denture.
How often should a full denture be replaced?
There is no fixed interval; the decision depends on the fit and how worn the teeth are. A check-up once a year is advised, with relining in between when needed. Many dentures reach the point of replacement after five to ten years.
I am very used to my old denture. Can you make an identical one?
Often, yes. The shape of the old denture can be copied to make a new one, with its fitting surface and worn teeth corrected. Keeping the shape of a denture someone has worn for years makes adapting much easier, especially for older patients.
Can I eat normally with a full denture?
After the settling-in period you can eat most foods, but your chewing power stays well below that of natural teeth. Very hard or sticky foods, and foods with small seeds or grains, can be difficult. Cutting food into small pieces and chewing on both sides makes it easier.
Not sure if this is right for you?
Send us a photo. We will tell you honestly what you need — and what you do not.