Treatment
From £700
Dentures made to fit properly and look natural — including implant-retained options where stability matters.
Overview
That is achievable far more often than people expect, and it comes down to a handful of unglamorous things: an accurate second impression, a carefully recorded bite, and a try-in stage where you see and approve the teeth before anything is finalised.
Dentures replace missing teeth with a removable appliance, and they remain the most widely used solution for tooth loss in the UK for good reasons. They can replace many teeth at once, they need no surgery, they cost considerably less than fixed alternatives, and they can be made for almost anyone regardless of bone volume or medical history.
Most dentures are made well by general dentists, and a straightforward partial does not need a specialist.
Specialist input excels in complex plans where dentures form a part of the puzzle and in challenging cases: a lower complete denture that will not stay put, a flat ridge with little to work with or a bite that has collapsed over years of tooth loss.
Partial acrylic denture - A plastic base carrying replacement teeth, held by clasps. Least expensive and easy to add to if further teeth are lost. Bulkier than metal, and rests on the gum.
Cobalt-chrome partial denture - A cast metal framework, considerably thinner and stronger, taking support from your remaining teeth rather than your gums. Much more comfortable, better for long-term gum health, and usually the better option where you have sound teeth to work with.
Complete denture - A full arch where no teeth remain. Uppers generally achieve good suction; lowers are the harder problem, since there is less surface area and the tongue is constantly moving.
Immediate denture - Fitted the same day as extractions so you are never without teeth. Gums shrink as they heal, so relining within the first year is a planned stage rather than a failure.
Implant-retained overdenture - A denture that clips onto implants. Usually the answer where a lower denture cannot be made stable conventionally, and frequently a dramatic improvement in confidence and in what you can eat.
Copy denture - Where an existing denture works well, its shape can be copied and refined rather than starting from scratch.
Process
Examination of remaining teeth, gums and ridges, and a discussion of what has and has not worked with previous dentures — usually the most informative part of the conversation.
A preliminary impression, then a second using a custom-made tray. The second is what determines fit, and it is not a step worth rushing.
Establishing where your jaws meet and at what height. Getting this wrong produces a denture that is uncomfortable however well it fits, so it is checked carefully.
The teeth are set in wax so you can see the appearance, position and bite before anything is finalised.
The finished denture is fitted and adjusted, with one or two reviews in the first weeks. That is normal and part of the treatment rather than a sign anything has gone wrong.
Suitability
FAQs
That is exactly what the try-in stage is for. Tooth shade, shape and position are decided with you before the denture is made, and a natural result usually means slight irregularity rather than a uniform, perfectly matched set.
Most people need a few weeks. Speech usually settles first, then eating. Sore spots in the first days are common and easily adjusted.
Gradually, yes. Start with softer food cut small, chewing on both sides at once, and build up. Lower complete dentures are the most demanding, which is where implant retention often makes the single biggest difference.
A well-fitting denture should not need it, though some people prefer the reassurance. Relying on adhesive usually means the fit needs assessing.
Yes. An immediate denture is made in advance and fitted on the day, so you are never without teeth. Gums then shrink as they heal, so a reline or replacement is planned for within the first year.
It is cast to a precise framework, takes support from your teeth rather than resting on gum, and is much thinner and more comfortable. It also protects the gums better over the long term. The extra cost buys genuine clinical advantages rather than a premium badge.
Yes, and for lower complete dentures this is frequently the single most effective improvement available. Two implants with clip attachments can turn an unstable denture into a secure one.
Often. Fractures can be repaired, teeth added, and loose dentures relined. Always worth having assessed before assuming you need a new one.
Callback
Share what you are hoping to improve and the practice will help identify a sensible next step.
Request a CallbackClinically reviewed by Dr Ahmed Jebril on 27 July 2026.
