A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and the gum around them. It can help you chew more comfortably, speak more clearly and support the shape of your face. Our Bacchus Marsh dentists make immediate, partial and full dentures, and talk you through each option before anything is decided.
Losing teeth usually happens gradually, and so do the small changes that come with it. It's also common. In 2017–18, around 1 in 10 Australian adults (10%) had fewer than 21 teeth, and complete tooth loss rose with age from 1.1% of 35–54 year olds to 8.1% of 55–74 year olds and 21% of people aged 75 and over, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. If several of these sound familiar, it may be time for a relaxed conversation about your options.
A denture is a removable appliance that replaces missing teeth and some of the gum around them. It is made to fit your mouth from moulds or digital scans, so it sits comfortably and helps with the everyday work of eating, speaking and smiling.
Dentures come in several forms. Some replace a few teeth and some replace a whole arch. Some are ready to go in on the same day teeth are removed, and others are made once the gums have healed. The base can be acrylic or a slim metal frame, which changes how it feels. What suits you depends on your mouth, your remaining teeth and what matters most to you, and that is what we work out together at a consultation.
Here is how the main types compare. You don't need to know which one you want before you come in.
An immediate denture is made before your extraction appointment and placed straight after the teeth are removed, so you don't go without teeth while you heal.
Your gums and bone change shape as they heal, so an immediate denture is a first-stage denture. Expect a few adjustment visits and a reline once the area has settled.
A partial denture fills the gaps where some teeth are missing and clips around your remaining natural teeth, which stay in place.
Acrylic partials have a gum-coloured acrylic base and can be added to later if needed. Metal (cobalt-chrome) partials use a thin cast frame that usually feels slimmer and steadier, with less plate across the roof of the mouth.
A full denture replaces every tooth in the upper or lower jaw. It rests on the gums and is shaped so it sits comfortably for eating and speaking.
Acrylic full dentures are held in place by suction against the gums. Metal-based full dentures use a thin cast plate, which lets you feel hot and cold food more naturally. We'll explain which suits your situation.
Immediate dentures involve removing teeth. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, please seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
A denture is usually made over several appointments. This is the path most people follow at our Bacchus Marsh clinic.
Consultation & assessment
We examine your mouth, ask what is bothering you and explain your options. Any gum disease or other problems usually need treating first, so the denture has a healthy base.
Dentures are part of our everyday general dentistry, and your gums and any remaining teeth still need regular care, such as Airflow cleaning or deep cleaning.
Moulds or scans
We record the shape of your gums and any remaining teeth. This is the starting point for a denture made for your mouth rather than an off-the-shelf fit.
Bite record & try-in
We record how your jaws meet and help you choose the shape and shade of the teeth to suit your face. A wax try-in lets you see and feel the fit before the denture is finished.
Fitting day
We place the finished denture, check your bite and ease any pressure points so it feels settled before you leave.
Review visits
After you've worn it for a while, we see you again to fix sore spots and make small adjustments. It is normal for eating and speaking to feel different at first, and for settling in to take a few short visits.
Your mouth keeps changing slowly after teeth are lost, so a denture needs some looking after to stay comfortable.
After teeth are removed, the gums and the bone beneath them gradually shrink and change shape. A denture that fitted well can start to feel loose. That is expected, not a sign something has gone wrong.
A reline reshapes the fitting surface of your denture to match your gums as they are now, without making a whole new denture. Some relines are done in the clinic, and some go to a dental lab.
Healing continues for weeks to months after extractions, so immediate dentures often need temporary soft liners and a reline once the gums have settled, often around three to six months.
Check-ups let us spot a loosening fit early, ease pressure spots and plan relines. Most dentures last around five to eight years before they need replacing.
We explain what's possible and give you an itemised quote, then leave you room to think. There's no pressure to choose on the day.
Moulds, try-in and fitting are unhurried, and we check in along the way. If you feel nervous, tell us and we'll plan around it.
Reviews and relines are part of owning a denture. Being on Gisborne Road makes those visits easy for patients from Bacchus Marsh, Darley, Maddingley and Melton.
A consultation is usually enough to understand your options. If you'd like to ask something first, call our Bacchus Marsh team.
Book a consultation (03) 8001 7008Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, please seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. Comfort and adjustment differ between individuals.
One consultation is usually enough to understand your choices and what comes next. Book online or call our Bacchus Marsh team.