Maybe you've started choosing the softer side of the menu, or holding back a little in photos. Missing teeth have a quiet way of changing everyday moments. A well-made denture is one calm, well-trodden way to get those moments back — and we'll talk you through every option before anything is decided.
Missing teeth rarely announce themselves all at once. It tends to show up in little adjustments you've made without really noticing — until they add up. If a few of these feel familiar, it's worth a calm conversation.
A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and the area around them. It's made to your mouth from impressions, so it sits comfortably and helps with the everyday jobs teeth do — eating, speaking, and feeling like yourself.
There isn't one kind of denture. Some replace a few teeth, some replace a whole arch, and some are made to go in on the same day teeth are removed. Whether the base is acrylic or a slim metal frame changes how it feels and fits. The right choice depends on your mouth, your priorities, and what feels comfortable to you — which is exactly what a consultation is for.
Here's how the main types compare in plain terms. There's no need to know which one you want before you come in — that's what we work out together.
An immediate denture is made in advance and placed on the same day your natural teeth are removed — so you don't have to spend the healing period without teeth.
Because your gums naturally settle and change shape as they heal, an immediate denture is designed as a first-stage denture. It usually needs adjusting, and a reline, once the area has healed.
A partial denture fills the spaces where some teeth are missing while your remaining natural teeth stay in place. It clips gently around them so everything works together.
Acrylic partials sit on a tooth-coloured and pink acrylic base — a straightforward option that can be added to later. Metal (cobalt-chrome) partials use a slim, cast frame that tends to feel thinner and more stable, with less coverage across the roof of the mouth.
A full denture replaces a complete upper or lower arch of teeth. It rests on the gums and is shaped carefully so it sits comfortably and helps with everyday eating and speaking.
Acrylic full dentures are the familiar option, held by gentle suction against the gums. Metal-based full dentures use a cast metal plate that can be made thinner and lets you feel warmth and cold more naturally. We'll talk you through which suits your situation.
Immediate dentures involve having teeth removed. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, please seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
A denture usually comes together over a handful of unhurried appointments. Here's the path most people follow, so there are no surprises.
Consultation & assessment
We look at your mouth, talk about what's bothering you, and go through the options in plain English. No decisions on the spot — just a clear picture of what's possible.
Dentures sit under our everyday general dentistry, and routine hygiene still matters alongside them — the practice also offers Airflow cleaning and deep cleaning.
Impressions
We take a mould of your gums and any remaining teeth. This is the starting point for a denture shaped to your mouth rather than an off-the-shelf fit.
Bite registration & try-in
We record how your upper and lower jaws meet, and help you choose the shape and shade of the teeth. A wax try-in lets you see and feel the fit before anything is finished.
Fitting your denture
The finished denture is placed and checked. We adjust the bite and ease any pressure points so it feels settled before you head home.
Review appointment
After you've worn it for a little while, we see you again to smooth out any sore spots and make small adjustments. Getting comfortable often takes a few short visits, and that's completely normal.
A denture isn't a fit-and-forget thing, and that's normal. Your mouth keeps changing gently, so a little maintenance keeps everything comfortable.
Gums and the bone beneath them slowly change shape after teeth are gone. A denture that fit beautifully can gradually feel looser — this is expected, not a sign anything has gone wrong.
A reline refreshes the fitting surface of your denture so it matches the current shape of your gums, without replacing the whole denture. Some relines are done in the clinic; others go to the lab for a day or so.
Because healing continues for a few months after teeth are removed, immediate dentures are usually relined once things have settled — often around the three-to-six-month mark.
Regular check-ups let us catch a loose fit early, adjust pressure spots, and plan a reline when it's due. Relines every few years are a normal part of looking after a denture.
We lay out what's possible in plain English and give you room to think. No pressure to choose anything on the day.
Every step — impressions, try-in, fitting — is unhurried, and we keep checking in so small adjustments happen before they become niggles.
Regular reviews and relines are part of looking after a denture. We plan them in so the fit stays comfortable year to year.
A short consultation is usually all it takes to understand your options. If you'd like to ask a few things first, give us a call — we're happy to talk it through.
Book a consultation (03) 8358 2565Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, please seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. Comfort and adjustment experiences vary between individuals.
A short consultation is usually all it takes to understand your options and what, if anything, comes next. Book online or call and we'll guide you.