Removable dentures or fixed teeth?
This page covers conventional complete dentures, which you remove for cleaning. If you are looking for fixed teeth on implants, read about hybrid dentures. For a removable denture retained by implants, see implant overdentures. Your gums, remaining bone, health and ability to clean the replacement teeth all matter when choosing.
What makes a denture good or bad
People often think dentures are all the same. They aren’t. Two dentures with the same teeth can feel completely different, because what decides comfort and grip is the accuracy of the impressions, how well the bite is recorded, and where the teeth are set. These are exactly the things a prosthodontist trains in for three years after dental school.
A good full denture should:
- stay in place when you talk and laugh (an upper denture should hold firmly; a lower one will always move a little)
- let your back teeth meet evenly, so the denture isn’t tipped by chewing
- support your lips and cheeks, so you don’t look “sunken”
- look natural for your age and face
The visits, step by step
- Examination and first impressions. We look at your gums and the bone ridge, ask what went wrong with any previous denture, and take initial impressions.
- Final impressions in a custom tray made just for your mouth, so the edges of the denture are shaped to seal.
- Bite registration. We record how your jaws meet and agree the size, shape and shade of the teeth. Bring an old photograph of your smile if you have one.
- Try-in. The teeth are set in wax so you can see and hear the denture before it is finished. This is the time to say if anything looks wrong.
- Fitting. The finished denture is fitted, checked for pressure spots and adjusted.
- Reviews at around one day to one week and again a few weeks later.
If you still have teeth that need removing, we can make an immediate denture ahead of time, so it goes in the same day the teeth come out. Because the gums shrink as they heal, an immediate denture needs relining after a few months.
The first few weeks
Everyone goes through a learning period:
- Eating. Start with soft food cut small and chew on both sides at once. Biting with the front teeth tips a denture, so tear or cut food instead.
- Speaking. Some words, especially “s” and “f”, sound odd at first. Reading aloud helps it settle within a week or two.
- Sore spots are normal and are fixed by small adjustments. Come back rather than putting up with pain.
- Extra saliva is common in the first days and settles by itself.
Lower dentures take longest to get used to. If after a few weeks yours still floats, ask about two implants to hold it. It is one of the most effective changes in dentistry.
Looking after your dentures
Rinse after meals. Once a day, brush the denture with a soft brush and mild soap or denture cleaner, not toothpaste, which scratches. Brush your gums and tongue gently too. Take the denture out at night and keep it in water so it doesn’t dry out and warp. Don’t use boiling water.
Have your mouth and dentures checked at least once a year, even with no teeth. Gums and bone change shape, and an annual check also looks for sore areas and anything unusual in the mouth.
What affects the cost of dentures
The price of a complete denture depends on:
- the quality of the artificial teeth (layered teeth look more natural and wear more slowly)
- the base: standard acrylic, high-impact acrylic, or a metal-reinforced base for strong biters
- whether it is a conventional, immediate or implant-retained denture
- whether one or both jaws are being treated
We give a written estimate after examination. If a reline or repair of your current denture would do the job, we’ll tell you.
Limits and alternatives
Dentures don’t stop the jawbone shrinking, and a lower denture will never be as firm as natural teeth. If stability is the problem, implant overdentures or a fixed hybrid denture are the next steps. If you still have some healthy teeth, a partial denture that uses them for support is usually better than removing them for a full denture.
Questions patients ask us
How many visits does a complete denture take?
Usually five: first impressions, final impressions, bite registration, a try-in where you see the teeth, and fitting. Then come one or two review visits for adjustments. Doing every stage properly is what makes a denture fit well.
Why are my new dentures loose?
A new lower denture almost always feels loose at first, because it is held mainly by your cheek and tongue muscles, and these take a few weeks to learn. An upper denture that drops, or a denture that stays loose after a month, usually needs adjusting or relining. If the bone has shrunk a lot, two implants can hold a lower denture firmly.
My new dentures hurt my gums. Is that normal?
Sore spots in the first two weeks are common and are fixed by easing the denture at the exact spot that presses. Don't file it yourself or stop wearing it for days. Come in, ideally after wearing it for a few hours so we can see where it rubs.
Can I sleep with my dentures?
We advise taking them out at night. Your gums need a rest, and sleeping in dentures increases the risk of fungal infection and gum irritation. Keep them in water or a denture-cleaning solution.
Are dentures suitable for elderly patients?
Yes. Most people with complete dentures are older adults. What matters is a good fit and simple care. For those who struggle with a loose lower denture, an implant overdenture is often worth considering even in later life.
How much do dentures cost?
It depends on the type and materials: a standard acrylic denture, one with higher-grade teeth, a denture with a metal-reinforced base, or one that clips onto implants. We give a written estimate after examining your mouth, and we'll explain what the difference in price actually buys you.
Can my old denture be fixed instead of replaced?
Often. A denture that has become loose can be relined, a crack can be repaired, and a broken tooth replaced. If the teeth are worn flat or the denture is many years old, a new one usually works better.
Sources
NHS: dentures ↗ADA MouthHealthy: dentures ↗Last updated 22 October 2026. This page explains options in general terms; your own plan comes from an examination.