A denture replaces missing teeth. 'Partial' dentures replace a few missing teeth and 'full' or 'complete' dentures are needed if all the natural teeth are missing.

Complete dentures are best made of acrylic (plastic). Partial dentures can also be made wholly of acrylic. Alternatively, they can consist of acrylic teeth on a light metal alloy base: this type of partial denture is more secure and less bulky, but also more expensive.

What are the benefits?

If you have lost some teeth, dentures can improve the way you look, bite, chew and speak.

They are custom made to match your mouth and can be made to look as natural as possible.

The teeth that are left are protected from wear and tear. Without dentures, the natural teeth may move or tilt, stopping your teeth biting together properly.

Dentures can be fitted immediately after teeth have been taken out so that nobody will know that you have had a tooth out. These are called 'immediate' dentures.

Dentures will never feel like your own teeth and it can take time to get used to them. If you haven't worn a denture before, your dentist will explain the potential difficulties in wearing dentures and how you should look after them.