Carmel Dental Clinic
Dentures
Dentures in Vellimadukunnu, Kozhikode
A denture replaces missing teeth with a removable plate. A complete denture replaces every tooth in the upper or lower jaw; a partial denture fills the gaps between the teeth you still have. It is made over several short visits, and you see and try it before it is finished.
- VisitsUsually 4–5
- TypesComplete and partial
When this treatment is usually needed
If any of these sound familiar, it is worth being examined. None of them is a diagnosis on its own — several different problems can produce the same symptom.
- Several missing teeth that make chewing difficult
- An old denture that has become loose, cracked or uncomfortable
- Remaining teeth drifting into the gaps
- Speech affected by missing front teeth
- A preference for a removable option over implants or a bridge
How we do it here
The specifics that shape your visit, rather than a generic description of the procedure.
- Complete dentures for a jaw with no teeth remaining
- Partial dentures that fit around the teeth you still have
- A try-in visit, so you approve the look and fit before it is finished
- Adjustment visits after fitting, because a new denture needs them
How the visit usually goes
Every step is explained before it happens, so nothing arrives as a surprise.
- 1Examination and planning
The gums and any remaining teeth are checked. Teeth that need treatment are dealt with first, and the choice between a denture, a bridge or implants is talked through.
- 2Impressions
Moulds of the jaws are taken so the denture is made to the shape of your mouth.
- 3Bite record
How your jaws meet is recorded, and the shade and shape of the teeth are chosen with you.
- 4Try-in
The teeth are set up in wax so you can check the look, the bite and how you speak, and anything can still be changed.
- 5Fitting and adjustment
The finished denture is fitted, and any sore spots are adjusted at follow-up visits over the first weeks.
This page describes a dental procedure in general terms. It is not a diagnosis and not a treatment plan, and outcomes vary from person to person. What is right for you is decided after a clinical examination at the clinic. See our terms and medical disclaimer.
After your treatment
General aftercare. The instructions you are given at the clinic, for your own mouth, come first.
- Expect a few weeks of getting used to it. Speaking and eating feel strange at first and improve with practice.
- Start with soft food cut into small pieces, chewing on both sides at once.
- Sore spots are common in the first days. Do not file or bend the denture yourself - come in and have it adjusted.
- Take the denture out at night unless you are told otherwise, and keep it in water so it does not dry out and warp.
- Clean it every day with a soft brush and plain soap or denture cleaner, not ordinary toothpaste, over a basin of water in case you drop it.
Questions we are actually asked
How long does it take to get used to a new denture?
Most people settle in over a few weeks. Speech usually adapts first; confident chewing takes a little longer. Reading aloud at home helps, and so does coming back for adjustments rather than putting up with a sore spot.
Will a denture stay in place?
An upper complete denture usually holds well by suction. A lower complete denture moves more, because the tongue and a narrower ridge give it less to grip. A denture adhesive helps, and implants can be used to hold a lower denture firmly where that is suitable.
How long does a denture last?
The gums and bone underneath slowly change shape over the years, so a denture that fitted well becomes looser. Many people need a reline or a new denture after five to ten years. A denture that has started rubbing or rocking should be checked sooner.
Should I choose a denture, a bridge or an implant?
It depends on how many teeth are missing, the health of the teeth either side, the bone, and your preferences and budget. The patient guide on replacing a missing tooth compares all three, and an examination tells you which are realistic for you.