Dentures can be made at Acorn Dental Practice by any of our dentists or our Clinical Dental Technician, Richard Harrison.
Richard is a member of the CDTA (Clinical Dental Technicians Association) and can do the whole process of denture making from initial consultation through to fitting. Your dentures will be custom- made to fit and of the highest quality. Whatever material is best for you is used, tailored to your needs.
Temporary dentures
After you have had teeth removed, it takes several months for your jawbone and gums to heal completely. During this time, we may fit a plastic temporary or 'immediate' denture. This can even be fitted and worn the same day as your teeth are removed.
As your jaw heals, the temporary denture will become loose and may need adjusting. It can take up to six months for your jawbone and gums to become stable. We will then be able to fit your long-term denture or bridge.
Partial dentures
A partial denture can be used to replace one or more missing teeth. A partial denture is a framework (plate) with a number of false teeth on it.
There are different types of partial dentures, but they commonly include a metal and/or plastic plate with plastic or porcelain false teeth. Partial dentures often have metal clasps. Where possible, these clasps are hidden so that they can't be seen when you smile or talk.
Full dentures
Full (or 'complete') dentures are needed when you have no teeth left in the upper or lower jaw. They are usually made of a plastic plate with plastic teeth.
Full upper dentures cover the roof of your mouth (palate). A very thin layer of saliva between your palate and the denture creates suction, which keeps it firmly in position. Your facial muscles and tongue also help to keep it in place.
Full lower dentures are often more difficult to keep in place because the floor of your mouth moves a lot, and the ridge where your teeth used to be shrinks with age.However, good dentures should fit the mouth exactly so denture adhesive cream (fixative) shouldn't be necessary.
If only one or two teeth are missing, we may recommend a bridge. A false tooth (or teeth) is attached to your natural teeth on either side of the gap.
Bridges are made of porcelain and/or metal. There are many bridge designs, usually the natural teeth on either side of the space are specially prepared for the crowns to fit on top. These crowns are permanently attached to a false tooth in the centre.
Bridges are cemented in place, so they can't be removed for cleaning. To keep your natural teeth healthy, you should clean the gap under a bridge with a special dental floss. We will advise you and show you how to floss under your bridge.
Acid etch (stick-on) bridges involving no drilling can be made in some cases as a temporary or permanent bridge. These are used particularly with children and/or young adults.
A dental implant is a metal rod that is placed in the jawbone to hold a false tooth (or teeth) in place. Implants are usually made of titanium, a metal that is well-tolerated by the body. Over several months, the jawbone fuses with the titanium rod. Dentures, crowns or bridges can be screwed or clipped onto the implant.
One implant can support one or more false teeth. Five or six implants are usually enough to replace all the teeth in the jaw.
