Dentures in Ocean Grove
Dentures replace missing teeth with a removable appliance, restoring chewing and the appearance of the smile. They remain a practical and affordable option, and for some people they are the only realistic one. This page explains what is involved, the alternatives, and the risks.
Ocean Breeze Dental has cared for families across Ocean Grove and the Bellarine for more than 30 years. To arrange a consultation, call (03) 5255 2584.
Assessment first, with a written quote before anything is made
What dentures are
A denture is a removable appliance carrying replacement teeth on a gum-coloured base. There are two broad types.
A full denture replaces all the teeth in one jaw. It rests on the gum and the underlying bone, and is held by suction and by the shape of the ridge it sits on.
A partial denture replaces some teeth while your remaining natural teeth stay in place. It is held by clasps or precision attachments that grip those teeth. Partial dentures are made either with an acrylic base or a cast metal framework, which is thinner and generally more stable but costs more.
Who dentures suit
Dentures may be the right answer where several teeth are missing, where the remaining teeth cannot support a bridge, where there is not enough bone for implants without grafting, or where the cost or the surgery involved in fixed options is not something you want.
They also serve as an immediate solution. An immediate denture can be fitted on the same day teeth are removed, so you are not without teeth while the gum heals. Immediate dentures need relining or remaking once healing is complete, because the shape of the ridge changes considerably in the first months.
The alternatives
Missing teeth can be approached in several ways, and none is automatically correct:
- A denture. Removable, generally the lowest cost, no surgery, and it can replace many teeth at once. The trade-offs are stability, having something removable in the mouth, and the ongoing need for adjustment as the ridge changes.
- A dental implant. Fixed and preserves bone, but involves surgery, a longer timeline and higher cost. Implants can also be used to retain a denture, which improves stability considerably.
- A bridge. Fixed, faster than implants, but requires preparing the teeth either side of the gap.
- Leaving the gap. Reasonable in some situations depending on where it is and how your bite functions.
We will set out which of these are realistic for you, with the risks of each, and the decision is yours.
How dentures are made
Making a denture that fits well takes several appointments, and that sequence is not something to rush.
- Assessment. We examine the mouth, the ridges and any remaining teeth, take x-rays where indicated, and discuss the options.
- Impressions. An initial impression, then usually a second more detailed one taken in a custom tray.
- Bite registration. Recording how your jaws meet, which determines how the finished denture will function.
- Try-in. The teeth are set in wax so you can see and approve the appearance and we can check the bite before anything is finalised. Say if you are not happy at this stage; changes are straightforward now and difficult later.
- Fit. The finished denture is inserted and adjusted.
- Review and adjustment. Almost every new denture needs adjusting in the following weeks. This is normal and expected, not a sign something went wrong.
Living with a denture
A new denture takes getting used to. Speech and eating both feel unfamiliar at first, and how long that adjustment takes varies a great deal between people. Starting with soft foods cut small, and reading aloud to yourself, both help.
Clean the denture daily over a basin of water or a folded towel, so it does not break if dropped. Use a denture brush and soap or a denture cleaner rather than ordinary toothpaste, which is abrasive. Brush your gums, tongue and any remaining teeth as well.
Leave the denture out overnight unless we have advised otherwise, and store it in water so it does not dry out. Keep attending the review appointments we recommend, so the fit and the underlying tissues can be checked.
Risks and limitations you should know about
- Fit changes over time. The bone ridge under a denture shrinks after teeth are lost and keeps changing for years. A denture that fits today will loosen, and will need relining or remaking.
- Sore spots are common in the first weeks and need adjusting. Do not persist with a denture that is rubbing; it can ulcerate the tissue.
- Lower full dentures are harder to stabilise than upper ones, because there is less surface for them to grip and the tongue moves them. Some people never find a lower full denture comfortable, which is why implant-retained options exist.
- Chewing efficiency is reduced compared with natural teeth, and some foods stay difficult.
- Speech can be affected initially, and occasionally longer.
- Partial dentures can accelerate problems in the teeth that hold them if cleaning is not thorough, because clasps trap plaque against those teeth.
- Denture-related tissue changes, including inflammation and fungal infection, can occur where dentures are worn continuously or not cleaned well.
- Breakage. Dentures crack if dropped, and can fracture in use.
Repairs, relines and remakes
A cracked or broken denture can often be repaired, sometimes the same day. Do not attempt to glue it yourself; household adhesives are not safe in the mouth and a badly aligned repair makes a proper one harder.
A reline refits the base of an existing denture to a ridge that has changed shape. It is a smaller job than a remake and is often the right answer for a denture that has simply become loose. Where the teeth are worn or the appliance has been relined several times, a remake may be more sensible. We will tell you which applies.
How we quote
Fees vary with the type of denture, whether it is full or partial, acrylic or cast metal, and how many appointments are needed. For that reason we quote after an assessment rather than publishing a figure that would not apply to you.
You get a written treatment plan listing every item, the item numbers and the total, before treatment starts, and time to check the rebate with your health fund. Dentures often attract a health fund benefit under major dental, which commonly carries waiting periods and annual limits. If you hold a DVA card or a Victorian public dental concession, tell us and we will explain what that covers. We claim on the spot through HICAPS.
Dentures FAQs
How long will it take to get used to a new denture?
This varies considerably between people and depends on whether you have worn dentures before, which jaw it is, and the shape of your ridges. Your dentist will give you a realistic expectation for your situation at the assessment.
Can I have teeth out and a denture fitted the same day?
Often, yes, with an immediate denture. It is planned and made in advance of the extractions. Bear in mind it will need relining or remaking once the gum has healed, and that is an additional cost.
Will people be able to tell?
Modern denture teeth are made in a wide range of shades and shapes, and the appearance is agreed with you at the wax try-in before the denture is finished. What is achievable depends on your own mouth, which we will discuss honestly at that stage.
Do I need denture adhesive?
A well-fitting denture should not depend on it. Needing increasing amounts of adhesive usually means the fit has changed and the denture needs relining, so it is worth having it looked at rather than buying more adhesive.
Should I sleep with my denture in?
Generally no. Leaving it out overnight lets the tissues recover and reduces the risk of inflammation and fungal infection. There are exceptions, and we will tell you if yours is one.
Can dentures be made more stable?
Yes. Implants can be used to retain a denture, which anchors it firmly while keeping it removable for cleaning. It costs more and involves surgery, and we can talk through whether you are a candidate.
How often should a denture be checked?
We recommend a review interval based on your own circumstances rather than a fixed schedule. Even without natural teeth, the mouth still needs examining, including a check of the soft tissues.
Book a consultation
If you are missing teeth, or your current denture has become loose or uncomfortable, call Ocean Breeze Dental on (03) 5255 2584 or book online.
We are at Unit 12, 73 The Terrace, Ocean Grove, with lift access and street parking nearby. Open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9:00am to 5:30pm, and Tuesday and Thursday until 7:30pm. We see patients from Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads, Point Lonsdale, Wallington, Drysdale, Queenscliff and across the Bellarine Peninsula.
This page provides general information about dental treatment. It is not personal dental advice and does not replace an examination. What is appropriate for you can only be determined by a dentist after assessing you. All treatment carries risks, which are set out above and will be discussed with you before you consent to treatment.