Full Dentures

A full denture is a removable replacement for all of the natural teeth in the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both. Each denture is custom made to fit your mouth comfortably and is designed to restore your smile, confidence, and ability to eat and speak naturally.

At Queenstown Denture Centre, all dentures are individually handcrafted on-site by Gareth McMurdo, a qualified Clinical Dental Technician with more than 25 years of experience. Gareth takes pride in creating dentures that look natural, fit comfortably, and are tailored to each patient’s individual needs.

If all of your natural teeth are already missing, you can book directly with us—no referral is required. We offer complimentary, no-obligation consultations and quotes for anyone considering new dentures.

To keep your dentures fitting comfortably and functioning well, we generally recommend a reline every few years and replacement every 8-10 years, depending on wear and changes to your gums.

Immediate Dentures

If you still have natural teeth that are due to be removed, an immediate denture may be the best option.

In these cases, your dentist will refer you to us and we will work with them to design and manufacture your denture prior to your extraction appointment. An immediate denture is inserted immediately at the time of the extractions, allowing you to leave with a full smile on the day of your treatment.

As gums and bone structure change after having teeth extracted, your new denture(s) will start to become loose. You will need to have it relined after six months.

– A reline involves remaking/resurfacing the top of your denture/plate with new material, to restore a snug and comfortable fit once again.

It is important to wait the full six months to have this done, to allow your gums and tissues the adequate time needed to finishing healing and shrinking back.

During that six month period we also offer a temporary solution called a tissue conditioner.

– A tissue conditioner is a soft, temporary, gel-like material that is placed inside the denture, which acts as a resilient, cushioned liner to cushion sore gums, redistribute biting pressure evenly and improve fit while your tissues continue to heal. This can be applied a couple of times during your six month wait, if need be.

Our Approach

Our goal is simple – to create dentures that look natural, feel comfortable, and give you confidence in your smile.

Every patient is different, so we take the time to carefully plan and customise each denture. We encourage patients to bring along photographs of their natural teeth if they would like us to replicate their previous smile as closely as possible.

The process typically involves around six appointments over six or more weeks, ensuring each stage is completed with care and attention to detail.

What to Expect

Initial Consultation | Your first appointment includes a full assessment, discussion of your options, recommendations, and a written quote. If you choose to proceed, we will also take preliminary impressions of your gums.

Custom Impressions | Using the preliminary impressions, we create custom trays designed specifically for your mouth. These are used to take highly accurate impressions, helping us achieve the best possible fit.

Bite Registration & Tooth Selection | At this appointment, we record how your upper and lower jaws come together and help you select the tooth shape and shade that best suits you.

Wax Try-In | Your new denture is set up in wax, allowing you to see how it will look before it is completed. This is your opportunity to assess the appearance and request any changes you may like.

Denture Fitting | Your finished denture is fitted and any minor adjustments are made to ensure optimal comfort. For immediate dentures, your dentist will fit the denture at the time of your extractions.

Review | Approximately one week after having your dentures fitted, we will see you for a follow-up to ensure your denture is fitting comfortably and functioning as expected. Further follow-up adjustments are included, if required, as you adapt to your new denture.

Adjusting to Your New Dentures

If this is your first set of dentures, it is normal for them to feel different at first. Speaking, eating, and simply having something new in your mouth can take a little time to get used to. Most patients find that their comfort and confidence improve steadily over the first few weeks.

Immediate dentures often require a longer adjustment period because your gums continue to heal and change shape following extractions. For this reason, a reline is required approximately six months after treatment to ensure your denture continues to fit correctly.