Complete Dentures

What Is a Complete Denture?

A complete denture is a removable denture made when all the teeth in one jaw are missing. It rests on the gum and on the bony ridge underneath it. In the upper jaw it also covers the palate; in the lower jaw it is shaped like a horseshoe.

Making the denture involves no surgery. If the teeth still in your mouth have to be taken out, you wait a while for the gum to heal. A temporary denture can be worn during that time.

What the Treatment Involves

Your mouth is examined and X-rays taken to check the condition of the gum, how much bone is left and whether any roots are still in place.
Impressions are taken of both jaws: first a general one, then a more detailed impression in a tray made specifically for you.
The position of your lower jaw against your upper jaw is recorded, along with the height of your bite.
The teeth are set up on a wax try-in. At this stage you check the colour, shape and arrangement of the teeth together with how they look when you speak.
Once you approve the try-in, the denture is made in acrylic and fitted in your mouth.

Adjustment appointments are needed after the denture is handed over. Any points where it presses on the gum are eased at these appointments. These adjustments are a normal part of the treatment.

Who Is It Suitable For?

A complete denture may be considered in the following situations:

you are missing all the teeth in one jaw,
you do not have enough bone for implants and would rather not go through preparatory procedures such as a bone graft,
surgery is not advisable because of a bleeding disorder, an uncontrolled medical condition or another reason,
you need an interim solution before moving on to a permanent plan.

The Trade-Offs

The denture is held in place by suction against the gum and by the balance of the surrounding muscles. It therefore holds less firmly than options anchored to implants, and it can shift while you speak or bite into hard food.
The grip is weaker in the lower jaw than in the upper. The movement of your tongue and the smaller area the denture rests on are the reasons for this.
Your bite is less powerful than with natural teeth. Very hard and sticky foods may have to be limited.
Once teeth have been taken out, the jawbone carries on shrinking over time. A denture does not stop this. Over the years it comes to feel loose, and the surface that sits against the gum has to be relined or the whole denture remade.
With an upper denture covering the palate, taste and temperature can feel different for a while.
In the first few weeks you learn to speak and chew again. How long this settling-in period takes varies from person to person.

When It Is Not the Right Choice

If there are teeth in your mouth that can be saved, treating those teeth is considered first.
In people with a strong gag reflex, an upper denture covering the palate can be uncomfortable.
For patients who would struggle to put the denture in and take it out, or to clean it regularly, other plans are considered.
If there is an untreated sore, an infection or an undiagnosed lesion on the gum, that is dealt with before the denture is made.

If you want a firmer hold, the denture can be attached to implants placed in the jaw. If there is not enough bone for that, a bone graft may be needed.

Suitability is decided after an examination.

How This Treatment Is Planned at Papatya Dental

Planning a complete denture at Papatya Dental starts with an examination of your mouth and X-rays. We record the thickness of the gum, the shape of the bony ridge, how the jaws sit against each other and the condition of any denture you already wear.

For patients travelling from abroad we discuss the timetable before you set off. Photographs and any X-rays you already have allow an initial assessment, but the final plan is set at the first examination.

What Happens During Your Visit

The examination, imaging and impressions are completed in the first few days.
If teeth have to be taken out, healing time is added to the plan. The treatment may then be split across separate visits.
At the wax try-in you check the colour and arrangement of the teeth together with us. If you want something changed, the try-in is repeated.
Once the denture is handed over, adjustment appointments are arranged while you are still in Antalya.

It is normal for a denture to need adjusting a few times in the first months. For pressure points that appear after you return home, you may need to see a dentist where you live. It is worth bearing this in mind when you plan your trip.

The dates for the impressions, the try-in and the fitting are shared with you in writing beforehand. Your treatment records and the details of the materials used are given to you before you leave.