Dentures: types, fit and daily care

Reviewed by Dr. Samar Fadavi, DDS

Short answer: Dentures are removable replacement teeth. Complete dentures replace a full arch, partial dentures fill gaps between natural teeth, and implant-retained dentures snap onto implants for extra hold. Most people need a few weeks to adjust. Clean them daily, take them out at night, and have the fit checked regularly because the gums and bone change over time.

What dentures are

A denture is a removable appliance that replaces missing teeth and the gum tissue around them. The teeth are usually made of acrylic resin or porcelain, set into a gum-coloured acrylic base. Partial dentures often have a thin metal framework and small clasps that hold onto your natural teeth.

Dentures help you chew, speak clearly and smile with confidence. They also support the lips and cheeks, so the face does not look sunken after teeth are lost. Modern dentures are made from detailed impressions and measurements of your mouth, and they can look very natural.

This guide explains the main types, what the process involves, how to get used to new dentures, how to care for them at home and when to come back for adjustments. It is general information for patients in Scarborough, the Danforth and East Toronto.

Types of dentures

Complete dentures

Complete (full) dentures replace all the teeth in the upper jaw, the lower jaw or both. An upper denture covers the roof of the mouth, which creates suction and usually gives a steady hold. A lower denture is shaped like a horseshoe to leave room for the tongue, so it tends to move more and can take longer to get used to.

Partial dentures

Partial dentures replace one or more missing teeth when some natural teeth remain. They clip onto nearby teeth and keep those teeth from drifting into the gaps. A metal framework partial is thin and strong. An all-acrylic or flexible partial may be used as a temporary option or when metal is not suitable.

Immediate dentures

Immediate dentures are made before your remaining teeth are removed and placed on the same day as the extractions, so you are never without teeth. Because the gums shrink a lot as they heal, immediate dentures need several adjustments and usually a reline or a new denture once healing is complete, often after several months.

Implant-retained dentures (overdentures)

An overdenture snaps onto two or more dental implants placed in the jaw. The implants stop the denture from lifting or sliding, which makes chewing and speaking much easier, especially for a lower denture. The denture is still removed daily for cleaning. Our dental implants page explains how implants are planned and placed.

Who dentures are suitable for

Dentures may be a good option if you have lost most or all of your teeth, if remaining teeth cannot be saved, or if you need to replace several teeth and prefer a removable option. They are also used when implants are not possible because of health, bone or personal reasons.

When only one or a few teeth are missing, a fixed bridge or an implant may be another choice. Our crowns and bridges page explains fixed options. The right choice depends on the health of your remaining teeth and gums, your bone, your budget, your insurance or CDCP coverage and what matters most to you.

How dentures are made

1. Exam and planning. The dentist checks your teeth, gums and jaw, takes x-rays when needed and talks through your goals. Any infected or hopeless teeth are planned for removal.
2. Impressions. Detailed impressions record the shape of your gums and any remaining teeth.
3. Bite records. Measurements show how your jaws meet and how much space the teeth should fill. You choose the tooth shade and shape.
4. Try-in. A wax version lets you see the look, check the bite and test speech before the final denture is made. Changes are easy at this stage.
5. Delivery. The finished denture is fitted, adjusted for comfort and checked for even bite. You receive home care instructions.
6. Follow-up adjustments. Sore spots are common in the first weeks. Short follow-up visits smooth pressure points and fine-tune the bite.

Getting used to new dentures

New dentures feel bulky at first. Your cheeks, lips and tongue need time to learn to hold them in place. Most people adjust within a few weeks, though lower dentures can take longer. Saliva often increases for the first few days and then settles.

Eating

• Start with soft foods cut into small pieces, such as eggs, fish, cooked vegetables and pasta.
• Chew slowly using both sides of your mouth at the same time to keep the dentures stable.
• Bite with your side teeth rather than your front teeth. Tearing food with the front teeth can tip the denture.
• Add firmer foods gradually. Very sticky, hard or chewy foods, such as caramels, nuts and tough meat, may always need care.

Speaking

Some words, especially those with s and f sounds, may sound different for a short time. Reading aloud, counting slowly and repeating tricky words helps your tongue and lips adapt. If dentures click when you talk, speak a little more slowly. Clicking that continues after a few weeks should be checked.

Sore spots

Small sore spots are common as the gums adjust. Do not try to file or bend the denture yourself. Call for an adjustment, which is usually quick. Warm salt water rinses can soothe tender areas in the meantime.

Daily denture care, step by step

1. Rinse after eating. Remove the denture and rinse off food under running water.
2. Brush the denture every day. Use a soft denture brush and mild soap or a denture cleanser. Clean all surfaces, including the part that sits on the gums.
3. Work over a towel or a sink of water. Dentures can crack or chip if dropped on a hard surface.
4. Clean your mouth. Brush your gums, tongue and the roof of your mouth with a soft brush. If you have natural teeth, brush and floss them carefully, especially where clasps rest.
5. Soak overnight. Take dentures out at night and keep them in water or a soaking solution so they do not dry out and change shape.
6. Rinse before wearing. Always rinse a denture well after soaking, especially if the cleanser contains strong chemicals.

What to avoid

• Do not use regular toothpaste on dentures. Many are abrasive and leave scratches that hold stains and bacteria.
• Do not use hot or boiling water. Heat can warp the acrylic base.
• Do not use bleach or whitening products on dentures, especially partials with metal parts.
• Do not sleep in your dentures unless your dentist has told you to for a specific reason. Gums need time to rest, and overnight wear is linked to fungal infections and pneumonia in older adults.
• Do not repair a broken denture with household glue. It can be toxic and makes a proper repair harder.
• Do not keep using more and more adhesive to hold a loose denture. That usually means the fit needs attention.

Using denture adhesive

A well-fitting denture should not need adhesive, but a small amount can add confidence, especially with a lower denture. Use only a few small dots or a thin strip on a clean, dry denture. Remove all adhesive from the denture and your gums every day. If you find yourself using more adhesive over time, book a fit check. Some adhesives used in very large amounts for years have caused health problems, so follow the package directions.

Why dentures change over time

After teeth are lost, the bone that once held them slowly shrinks. The gums change shape too. A denture that fit well at first can become loose over several years. Loose dentures rub, cause sores, make chewing harder and can change your bite.

Common solutions include:

• Adjustment: smoothing a pressure spot or balancing the bite.
• Reline: adding new material to the inside of the denture so it fits the current shape of your gums.
• Rebase: replacing the whole pink base while keeping the teeth.
• Repair: fixing a crack, a broken tooth or a loose clasp.
• Replacement: making a new denture when the teeth are worn or the base no longer fits well.

Many people need a reline every few years and a new denture every five to ten years, depending on wear and how much the mouth changes.

Dentures and your overall health

Comfortable dentures help you eat a wider range of foods, which supports good nutrition. Loose or painful dentures can lead people to avoid vegetables, fruit and protein. Keeping dentures and the mouth clean also matters for health. Bacteria and fungus on unclean dentures have been linked to mouth infections, and in frail older adults to chest infections.

Regular checks also include an oral cancer screening. Even with no natural teeth, you should still see a dentist once a year. Our guide to oral cancer explains what we look for.

Common problems and what they mean

• Red, sore gums under the denture: often a fit problem or denture stomatitis, a common yeast infection linked to overnight wear and unclean dentures.
• Cracks at the corners of the mouth: may mean the bite has collapsed slightly as dentures wear, or a yeast infection.
• Food trapped under the denture: often a sign the fit has loosened.
• Clicking or slipping: the denture may need a reline or the bite may need adjusting.
• A clasp that feels loose: can usually be adjusted quickly.

Helping a family member with dentures

Many families in East Toronto care for a parent or grandparent who wears dentures. Simple help makes a big difference: label the denture case, make sure dentures are removed and cleaned each night, check the mouth for sores and watch for changes in eating. In care homes, dentures can be lost or mixed up, so ask whether dentures can be marked with the person’s name. Our seniors dental care page and our guide to aging and dental health have more tips.

Coverage, CDCP and estimates

Many dental insurance plans include some coverage for dentures, relines and repairs, usually with limits and waiting periods. The Canadian Dental Care Plan can also include removable dentures for eligible patients, and some services may need approval before treatment starts. We bill insurers directly where possible and give you a written estimate before treatment so you know what to expect. See our CDCP page and insurance and billing page for details.

When to see a dentist

Book a visit if:

• A sore spot lasts more than a few days or keeps coming back.
• Your denture feels loose, rocks, clicks or traps food.
• The denture is cracked, chipped or a tooth has come off.
• You notice white or red patches, a lump or an ulcer that does not heal within two weeks.
• It has been more than a year since your last check-up.
• You are thinking about switching to implant-retained dentures.

If remaining teeth need to come out before a denture, our tooth extraction page explains what to expect.

Questions about dentures

How long does it take to get used to dentures?

Most people feel comfortable within a few weeks. Lower dentures and first-time dentures can take longer. Short adjustment visits help a lot.

Can I eat normally with dentures?

Most people return to a wide range of foods. Start soft, chew on both sides and add firmer foods slowly. Very hard or sticky foods may always need care.

Should I wear my dentures at night?

Usually no. Taking them out at night lets your gums rest and lowers the risk of infection. Store them in water or a soaking solution.

How often do dentures need to be replaced?

Often every five to ten years, with relines in between. Your dentist checks the fit and wear at each visit.

Can a broken denture be repaired?

Many cracks and broken teeth can be repaired. Keep all the pieces and avoid household glue.

Are implant-retained dentures better than regular dentures?

They are more stable, especially on the lower jaw, but they need surgery and enough bone. Your dentist can explain whether they suit you.

Do I still need check-ups if I have no natural teeth?

Yes. A yearly visit checks the fit of your denture, the health of your gums and includes an oral cancer screening.