Manufacture

Complete dentures are best made of acrylic (plastic). Partial dentures can also be made wholly of acrylic. Alternatively, they can consist of acrylic teeth on a light metal alloy base: this type of partial denture is more secure and less bulky, but also more expensive. As a general rule though, dentures often offer the cheapest way of replacing missing teeth.

Dentures are made in several stages. Impressions - moulds - are taken of your mouth and sent to a laboratory. The laboratory technician can then make wax blocks, which the dentist uses to try to match the way your teeth meet together. This is called registering the bite. It can be pretty tricky. You can help by trying to relax. You may have old dentures which your dentist can use for comparison.

Your dentist usually has a wax denture for you to 'try in' before the proper one is made. This helps them decide if the bite is correct and helps check that the appearance is good. You can have a look at them as well and see how they will look.

The technician will then finish the dentures and your dentist will fit them.

When you first get the dentures, you will probably find they rub a bit. If this persists and is painful, stop wearing the dentures, and book an appointment to see your dentist. The day before you see your dentist, try wearing the dentures again - if they rub the gum it will make a mark which will make it easier for your dentist to adjust them in the right place.