Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re thinking about getting Dentures for the first time, it can be a little daunting for some people and you may have a bunch of questions about the process and how your new Dentures will affect your daily life. That’s totally normal and we can help with all of that, so book your free consultation with Gareth and he will explain what’s involved in the process and answer any questions you may have.

Here are some commonly asked questions that may be of assistance initially:

Do I need a referral?

Referrals from a Dentist or Doctor are not necessary, but are welcome.

If you have a partial denture, New Zealand dental regulations stipulate that you will need to obtain an Oral Health Certificate from your Dentist before you can have any work done with us directly. This can be obtained after your first free consultation if you like.

If you have full dentures already, you do not require an Oral Health Certificate. You can simply visit us directly to discuss your needs.

What is a Clinical Dental Technician?

A Clinical Dental Technician is a qualified and skilled member of the dental profession. They are registered health providers specifically trained to construct, fit and maintain dentures and all other professional denture care services.

What is a Partial Denture?

As the name suggests, a partial denture is a denture made to replace some missing teeth in either or both the upper or lower part of your mouth. More often it is required to improve chewing ability, but if remaining teeth are left unsupported, they may also drift sideways or over erupt, making future replacement more difficult.

What is a Reline?

To add new material to the surface of a denture that contacts the oral tissue in order to provide a better fitting denture. When teeth are missing, it is normal for the shape of the gums and the bone supporting the teeth to gradually change over time. This can cause dentures to become loose.

How long will it take to make my new Dentures?

You will need 5 visits with Gareth over a 3 to 5 week period before your Dentures are complete. You’ll then have 1 post-fitting check up to make sure you’re happy with how they fit.

How long does it take for a Repair?

We offer a same day repair service. We usually need a couple of hours to complete a repair. In some cases we can repair your denture while you wait.

How long do Dentures last?

With proper care and maintenance, it is reasonable to expect your denture to last around 10 years. You will need to have regular check ups and relines as required.

Any longer than 10 years and you will find that your gums will have changed over that time, potentially affecting the fit and function of your denture and subsequently your bite or jaw placement. Also the teeth will have been worn down from years of use and grinding.

Should Dentures be left out at night?

Most people only ever remove their dentures for cleaning but it is recommended that you take them out each night and leave them in a glass of water or denture cleaner solution.

How often should I clean my Dentures?

It is important to treat your dentures as you should treat your natural teeth. They must be kept as clean as possible to prevent inflamed gums, bacterial and fungal infections or further tooth loss.

What is the best way to clean my Dentures?

With a denture cleaning solution or denture paste and only ever with a specially designed soft denture toothbrush. Always clean your dentures over a bowl of water or folded towel in case you drop them. Never use regular toothpaste as it is too abrasive and will gradually wear away at the denture.

What Should I Expect when getting Dentures for the first time?

In the First 2 Weeks:

Saliva – One of the first things you may notice is that you have to swallow a lot more as there may be more saliva production in your mouth. Your saliva glands seem to go into overdrive because of this new foreign body in your mouth. Although this will feel odd to begin with, it will settle down in a matter of time.

Full Mouth Feeling – First-time denture wearers can experience the sensation of your teeth feeling too big and pushing your lips forward. This feeling is completely normal as the mouth is really sensitive and any changes will always feel a little odd once your mouth gets used to the dentures, this feeling will get less and less. We can assure you that with proper fitting dentures, your lips won’t look as though they’re being pushed forward to other people.

Eating – Initially it may help to stick to eating softer foods until you get used to chewing with your new teeth. In no time you’ll be back to eating as normal.

Speech – You may find you speak with a bit of a lisp at first, but your tongue will quickly adapt and this will soon stop being a problem. If your dentures fit properly, you shouldn’t be worried about the dentures dropping whilst you talk.

Soreness – In the first few weeks of new dentures, particularly immediate dentures, a certain amount of soreness and irritation is to be expected whist adjusting to new dentures. It is a big adjustment for your mouth and particularly if your gums need to heal in that time too. The discomfort will ease with time and once your dentures are relined (3-6 months after having immediate dentures fitted) this problem should be corrected all together. If fitted correctly, you should not experience ongoing soreness throughout the life of your dentures. If that is the case, they are not fitting correctly.

Self-consciousness – You may feel quite self-conscious initially but we suggest you smile at yourself in the mirror a lot to get used to your new smile. Our dentures are made to look very natural and no one else will probably even realise that you’re wearing dentures.

At the 3 Month Mark

Naturally, things will get easier after the first couple of weeks. The over production of saliva should lessen and speaking should be easy. By now you should be eating normally, including things like steaks and apples. There may be times in the first couple of months where you feel emotional, annoyed with your dentures or feel that you’ve made the wrong decision. These are all completely normal feelings to have. It’s not always an easy path, however all that subsides and you’re left with a new lease on life, confidence, and a set of great looking teeth that you can be proud to call your smile!

3 months to 1 year

Between 3 and 6 months you should have your immediate denture relined and you shouldn’t have to go through the same adjustment period that you’ve just experienced. This reline is just to give your dentures a better fit after your gums have settled. By the 1 year mark, you’ll most likely be loving your dentures and with good maintenance they should last you for around 10 years. It is recommended to have them relined every 2 years as your gums naturally change with age, just like the rest of your body.