Dentures, explained
Dentures replace missing teeth with a removable appliance that restores your smile, your ability to chew and the support your lips and cheeks need. Bathurst Centre Dental Care provides complete, partial and implant-supported dentures at our Thornhill clinic, serving Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill and North York. We accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan, which covers complete and partial dentures for eligible patients.
What are dentures?
Dentures, also known as false teeth, are prosthetic devices constructed to replace missing teeth. They are supported by the surrounding soft and hard tissues of the mouth. Conventional dentures are removable (removable partial denture or complete denture). However, there are many different denture designs, some of which rely on clasping onto teeth or dental implants.
What types of dentures are there?
Complete dentures
Replace all the teeth in the upper or lower jaw. They rest on the gums and, for the upper jaw, are held by suction against the palate.
Partial dentures
Replace one or several missing teeth and clip onto your remaining natural teeth with clasps or precision attachments.
Implant-supported dentures
Snap onto two or more implants so they do not slip or move when you eat or talk. A popular upgrade for loose lower dentures.
Immediate dentures
Made in advance and placed on the same day teeth are extracted, so you are never without teeth. They are relined or replaced after the gums heal and shrink.
When should I consider dentures?
If you have lost teeth, you can consider dentures for a number of reasons:
To help with chewing
Chewing ability is improved with dentures, so you can enjoy a wider range of foods.
To support your face
Teeth give a natural appearance to the face. A denture supports the lips and cheeks and corrects the collapsed appearance that results from the loss of teeth.
To help with speech
Replacing missing teeth, especially the front teeth, enables patients to speak more clearly.
To help with self-esteem
Improved looks and speech boost confidence in social situations.
How are dentures made?
Making a well-fitting denture takes several appointments over a few weeks.
Consultation
Exam and X-rays, a discussion of the type of denture that suits you, and a written estimate.
Impressions
Precise moulds of your gums and any remaining teeth, plus measurements of your bite.
Try-in
A wax version lets you check the look, fit and bite before the denture is finished.
Fitting and adjustments
The finished denture is fitted, then fine-tuned at follow-up visits as you get used to it.
What are the alternatives to dentures?
Bridges and implants are the most common alternatives to dentures. In most cases, dental implants will be preferable to dentures for replacing missing teeth because they provide better chewing force and can prevent bone loss in the jaw. Bridges can only be used in place of a denture if there are enough healthy teeth in the surrounding area to anchor the missing tooth. If most of the original tooth structure is lost, a bridge can only be used if some of the missing teeth are replaced with dental implants, which then serve as support for the bridge. Compare tooth replacement options.
Once I have my dentures, do I ever need to see my dentist again?
Yes. When you have been fitted with a new denture, there is a period of adjustment when it is especially important to visit your dentist so that minor modifications can be made until your denture fits comfortably. It is natural for the bone and tissue beneath the denture to change over time, so periodic adjustments and relining are important for continued good fit and to protect the health of the underlying bone and tissue. Your dentist also checks your gums, tongue and mouth for sores and other changes at each visit. Implants used to support dentures need to be inspected yearly by X-ray, and attachments to implants need to be cleaned periodically.
How do I care for my dentures?
Clean after meals
Plaque forms on dentures and on implant attachments, and food can get trapped between the denture and your gums. After each meal, remove your dentures and use a soft toothbrush to brush the implant attachments, your gums, your tongue and all sides of the denture.
Take them out at night
Remove your denture at night and store it in a denture bath filled with denture cleaner or water so it does not dry out and warp. Giving your gums a rest also keeps them healthy.
Handle with care
Dentures are fragile and can break if dropped. Clean them over a sink filled with water or a folded towel.
Use adhesive wisely
Denture adhesive may help retention but should not be used to make a poorly fitting denture usable. Poorly fitting dentures should be relined or replaced.
Denture FAQs
Most people adapt within a few weeks. Expect extra saliva, some sore spots and a little difficulty with speech and chewing at first. Start with soft foods cut into small pieces, practise reading aloud, and keep your adjustment appointments so we can relieve any sore spots.
A well-made denture typically lasts about 5 to 10 years. Because your gums and bone change shape over time, most dentures need relining every few years to keep them fitting snugly, and eventually replacing.
It is best to take them out at night. Your gums need time to rest, and leaving dentures in around the clock increases the risk of sore spots and fungal infections.
Yes. Complete and partial dentures, including standard and temporary dentures, are covered prosthodontic services under the CDCP for eligible patients. Preauthorization is usually required, and we submit it for you. CDCP at our clinic.
The bone under a denture slowly shrinks, so a denture that fit well a few years ago can start to move. A reline adds new material to the inside of the denture to restore the fit. If the denture is old or worn, a new one may be the better choice. Implants can also be added to lock a loose denture in place.
You can eat most foods, though very hard, sticky or chewy items take practice. Chew on both sides at once to keep the denture balanced. Implant-supported dentures give the most chewing power.
Do not try to glue it. Household adhesives damage the denture and are not safe in the mouth. Call us at 905-707-8008; many repairs can be done quickly.
Does my insurance cover dentures?
Many dental plans cover part of the cost of dentures and relines under major restorative services, and the CDCP covers complete and partial dentures for eligible patients. We will confirm your coverage and give you a written estimate before treatment begins.
Portions excerpted from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dentures under the Creative Commons license.
I am 61yrs old and have only 2 teeth left in my upper mouth.
My cheeks have sagged because of the missing teeth.
I have no insurance and have been putting this off because I can’t afford an expensive treatment.
Do you offer an affordable payment option on dentures?
My location is Bathurst and 16th Ave,so you are really close by.
Hopefully you can help me,I am really becoming self conscious about my facial appearance and lack of smiling around workers and others,not to mention my inability to chew my food properly.
Thanks,Andrew.
Hi Andrew, we can definitely help you with your concerns. We’ll contact you directly to answer some of your questions about dentures. Thanks for reaching out!
Is there an adhesive or glue that I can use to glue my upper denture to my mouth for a day or two? My problem is I salivate when I smell or taste good food and my denture gets wiggly making it hard to eat. The rest of the time my denture fits snug. I’m considering super glue s it is used in wound care and does wear off in a few days.
Hi Maya, there are many different types and brands of adhesive glue for your denture. Some adhesives are paste, some are powders, and some are adhesive pads. Some of the popular brands are Fixodent, Poligrip and Seabond. You may have to try out different types and brands to see what works best for you, both in terms of taste and feel. Also consider talking to you dentist regarding implant supported denture and implant supported bridge to see if they are an option for you.
I have left only in front teeth in my mouth. I am 69 years old. I am looking for good one dentures on up and down.
How long it will takes to do it?
How much it will cost?
Hi Margarita, the cost of a set of dentures and the amount of time it takes to make them depend on the type of dentures you need. If your front teeth are in good shape, we can potentially use them as supporting teeth for partial dentures. If not, you may be looking at a set of full dentures. In general, you will need 2-4 appointments to have a set of dentures made and some type of dentures may take up to 3-4 weeks to make. Feel free to contact us at 905-707-8008 or [email protected] to book an exam so we can assist you further!
Hello Dr. Qin Li!
I am 17 years old. Had a bicycle accident. I fell directly on my two front teeth, luckily I was wearing braces so the impact was kinda absorbed. I was 3 days into coma. When I woke up I noticed my teeth. My two front teeth are shaking and are longer than the others. They fell down and are barely holding on. Can I get dentures only for the two front teeth at this age?
Thank you for your time and effort!
Hi Darko, yes, if you cannot save those teeth, then you can get a partial denture for only the two front teeth until your jaw bone has developed and and is ready for implants. Try to see a dentist as soon as possible to see if you can temporarily splint the front teeth with the other teeth for as long as possible.
My dentist made groves in my teeth to anchor a partial. When it was fitted it was almost impossible for him to remove it. He then filled off the anchors on the plate so it could be removed easier. Now there is a very slight rocking. How can this be remedied
Hi Dave, unfortunately it’s not possible give you advice on the rocking without seeing the denture and the anchoring teeth. Maybe there is a high point on the denture that is pivoting on the teeth; if that’s the case, the high point can be smoothed to reduce the problem. It may also be due to a lack of anchorage since the anchors were filed off, which could be a little trickier to fix. It would be best to discuss your concerns with your dentist.
I have lost several teeth (upper front) because of acccidents,injuries,etc which left bony ridges which are now rubbing against my opper inside lip causing pain and discomfort…can these ridges be filed or sanded down?
Hi Daisy, sorry to hear about your accidents. First, you’ll want to make sure it is the bony ridge that is rubbing the inside of the lip, not residual roots from the teeth that were lost. Any residual roots in the bone will need to be taken out by the dentist to prevent any possible infection.
If it the bony ridge that’s rubbing the gum, you can potentially open up the gum and grind down the ridge on the bone. However, you will most likely need those bones to support a denture or an implant. Please visit a dentist as soon as you can to explore potential treatment options.
I have a 4 year old upper partial denture and its pink acrylic has “thinned out” considerably over the years to the point where I feel it has become weak and will break in half soon. Have called dental offices and all want me to come in for X-rays and a consult. I have a plethora of periodontics issues that I can’t afford to deal with; all I want is to strengthen my partial plate DIY. Can I buy a product online that will build up the area that has become thin? Inside the denture where it contacts my gums.
Hi Pat, I am not aware of any DIY product for rebuilding denture acrylic. Have you tried explaining your financial situation at your dental office to see if they have any option to help you with the exam fee? Is there any denturist in your area who may be able to strengthen your denture without examining your teeth? You could also try calling any dental labs in your area to see if they have any recommendations.
Please can you advise? I have advanced gum disease caused by taking Amlodipine 10mg. Teeth will need to be extracted. My front top and bottom teeth protrude and have caused embarrassment and lack of confidence all of my life. Can Dentures be straight – no protrusion and without the gap between upper and lower teeth?
Thank you
Julie
Hi Julie, your denture teeth do not have to look like your current teeth. If you are getting a set of full dentures, the dentist and the dental laboratory technician can place the teeth on your denture so they appear more aesthetically pleasing. Please let your dentist know of your concerns and expectations when planning your new dentures.
Mhey
I have a denture but there’s have a tooth removed and mydl denture its a bit loose to my gums,PLEASE help me.
Do you offer an affordable option payment for my denture?caused I can’t afford the expensive for new denture.
Thank you
Hi Mhey, a new denture may or may not help with the issue of your denture being loose. It mostly depends on how many remaining teeth you have, and if the remaining teeth are good supporting teeth for your denture. Without an exam, I cannot tell you if you need a new denture, or just a repair to your existing denture, or if denture adhesive can help with the retention of your denture to your gum.
If you are having financial difficulties for a new denture, Ontario offers some programs for low income families to help with dental work. If you live close to the area, you can also contact the University of Toronto Dentistry Department; they offer dental work at deeply discounted rates and may be able to offer payment plans. See the websites below for more information.
https://www.ontario.ca/page/dental-care-low-income-seniors
https://patients.dentistry.utoronto.ca/patients