Restorative
Dentures, fitted and adjusted to feel like yours.
Full and partial dentures — acrylic or chrome-cobalt framework — designed for comfort, function and a natural-looking smile. Repairs and relines for existing dentures too.
What dentures are
A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth. We make two main types:
- Full denture — replaces a complete upper or lower arch (or both). Held in place by suction against the gum and palate. Acrylic base, acrylic teeth.
- Partial denture — replaces some but not all teeth in an arch. Anchors to the remaining natural teeth with discreet clasps. Two framework options: an acrylic base (simpler, lower-cost) or a chrome-cobalt metal framework (thinner, stronger, longer-lasting).
We also make immediate dentures — fitted on the same day a tooth or teeth are extracted, so you leave the visit with a denture rather than a gap. The denture is adjusted in the months after as the gum settles.
Which option suits your case
The right choice depends on how many teeth are missing, the condition of your remaining teeth, your budget, and how the denture will feel day-to-day:
| Acrylic partial | Chrome-cobalt partial | Full denture | |
|---|---|---|---|
| When | Few teeth missing, lower-cost option | Few teeth missing, longer-term solution | All teeth in an arch missing |
| Frame | Pink acrylic across the palate or floor of mouth | Thin metal framework | Acrylic across the full arch |
| Strength | Adequate for everyday use | Stronger, harder to break | Adequate |
| Comfort | Bulkier feel | Slimmer, less tongue coverage | Bulkier (necessary for retention) |
| Lifespan | 3–5 years with proper care | 5–10+ years with proper care | 5–10 years with proper care; relines as the gums change shape |
If you're missing several teeth and considering options beyond a denture, a bridge or implant-supported solution may suit your case — we'll talk through all the options at consultation.
What to expect
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Visit 1
Consultation and impressions. We discuss your case, examine your mouth, and take a digital scan or traditional impression of the area to be replaced. We talk through framework options, tooth shade and aesthetic preferences. If extractions are needed first, we plan those into the timeline.
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Visit 2
Try-in. A wax try-in of the proposed denture lets you see and feel the design before it's finalised. You can adjust tooth position, shade and bite. We make any changes here — better to fix at try-in than to finish and re-do.
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Lab time
2 to 3 weeks at the lab. The lab fabricates the denture from the approved try-in. If you're without your remaining teeth in the meantime, we may fit a temporary.
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Visit 3
Fit. The finished denture is fitted, checked against your bite, and adjusted for comfort. We walk through how to insert, remove and clean it, and book a one-week follow-up to handle any sore spots.
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Follow-up
Adjustments + ongoing care. Most patients need a few minor adjustments over the first weeks as the denture beds in. We see you for a 6-month review, then annually — checking fit, the health of remaining teeth and gums, and scheduling relines as the gum shape changes.
Immediate dentures follow a different timeline: impressions and try-in happen before extraction; you receive the denture on extraction day; expect several adjustments and often a soft reline in the first 3–6 months as the gum heals.
Common questions
Will my denture feel natural?
There's an adjustment period for everyone. Most patients describe the first weeks as feeling bulky, then it fades as your tongue and cheeks learn the new shape. By 4–6 weeks it feels normal for most people. Chrome-cobalt partials are usually the most natural-feeling option; full dentures take the longest to adjust to.
Will I be able to eat normally?
You'll need to retrain how you eat — smaller bites, cutting harder foods, chewing on both sides. Most patients are eating most foods comfortably within a few weeks. Some foods (sticky lollies, very hard nuts, corn on the cob) stay difficult long-term — most patients work around them.
How long do dentures last?
With proper care, acrylic partial dentures typically last 3–5 years, full dentures last 5–10 years, and chrome-cobalt partial frameworks 10+ years with periodic re-basing. The main limiting factor is the gum and bone underneath: as your jaw shape changes over time, the denture's fit changes, and a reline or replacement becomes necessary.
How do I clean a denture?
Remove it overnight (gum tissue needs a rest from constant pressure). Brush it morning and night with a soft denture brush — toothbrushes work but a denture brush is gentler. Soak it in a denture cleaner solution once a week. Avoid hot water (warps the acrylic) and bleach (damages metal frameworks). Rinse before reinserting.
What's a reline?
A reline is when we re-fit the inside surface of an existing denture to match how your gum has changed shape. It's a much smaller job than a new denture — usually one or two visits, depending on the type. Most dentures need a reline every few years; some immediate dentures need one within the first 6 months as the gum heals.
Are implant-supported dentures available?
Yes — an implant-supported denture clips onto two or more implants placed in the jaw, which often gives the denture better retention than suction alone. The implant surgical placement is performed by a specialist we work with (see Dental implants for our partnership model); we plan the denture, coordinate the case, and fit the final restoration at Oracare. Worth discussing at consultation if your existing denture has trouble staying in place.
Will my health fund cover it?
Most extras policies rebate part of a denture because it's a clinically-driven restoration. The portion covered depends on your fund and level of cover. Major dental cover usually applies — but limits and waiting periods matter. We claim through HICAPS at the chair so you only pay the gap. See Payment options.
Cost & funding
HICAPS on the spot. Most health funds rebate part of a denture under major dental cover. We claim at the chair — you only pay the gap. Interest-free in-house payment plans are available for larger plans, and ATO compassionate-release super funding is an option for severe cases. Full detail on Payment options.
Related services
Missing some teeth?
Start with a consultation — we'll explain the options and quote in full before you commit.