Dental treatment guide

5 min read

Dentures

Dentures replace missing teeth and may be full, partial or immediate. Adaptation, fit, cleaning and review are part of denture care.

Dentures are removable appliances used to replace missing teeth. They can be full, partial or immediate depending on the mouth and treatment plan.

Dentures may take time to adapt to and need cleaning, maintenance and review. They should not be promised to feel exactly like natural teeth.

At a glance

Know the type

Full or partial

Full dentures replace all teeth in an arch.
Partial dentures replace some missing teeth.
Immediate dentures are fitted around extraction timing in selected cases.

Expect adaptation

Fit and function

Speech and eating can take practice.
Sore spots or looseness should be reviewed.
Cleaning the denture and mouth remains important.

Seek review

Broken or sore

A broken denture should be repaired professionally.
Persistent ulcers, soreness or poor fit needs assessment.
Do not wear a denture that causes injury.

Contents

What dentures are

Dentures are removable replacements for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. Their design depends on remaining teeth, gums, bite, appearance and function.

Possible causes or contributing factors

Missing teeth after extraction, decay, gum disease or injury.
Need for a removable replacement option.
Changes in gums, bone or remaining teeth over time.

What you can do now

Ask what type of denture is being proposed and why.
Discuss cleaning, wearing, review and repair instructions.
Contact the practice if the denture rubs, breaks or no longer fits.

What not to do

Do not repair dentures with household glue.
Do not keep wearing a denture that causes ulcers or injury.
Do not expect a denture to feel exactly like natural teeth.

When to contact a dentist

You are considering dentures or need replacement teeth.
A denture is loose, painful, broken or difficult to clean.
You have sore spots, ulcers or changes in remaining teeth.

When prompt advice is needed

A denture fragment is inhaled, swallowed with symptoms or causes choking.
A broken denture creates sharp edges or mouth injury.
Sores, swelling or pain are worsening.

What a dentist or relevant professional may assess or do

Assess gums, remaining teeth, bite and denture fit.
Adjust, reline, repair or remake dentures where appropriate.
Discuss cleaning, wearing patterns and review needs.

Frequently asked questions

What are immediate dentures?

Immediate dentures are fitted around the time teeth are removed in selected cases. They often need review as gums change.

Can I fix a denture with glue?

No. Household glue can be unsafe and can make professional repair harder. Keep the parts and contact a dental professional.

Will dentures feel natural straight away?

Dentures can take adaptation and may not feel like natural teeth. Persistent soreness or looseness should be reviewed.

Explore treatment guidance

Read Odenta treatment guides before discussing dentures, alternatives and maintenance with a dentist.

Browse treatment guides

Official sources

These links open external official guidance pages for further help.

Content reviewed by Dr Majid Saeed · 13 July 2026

References used for this guide are listed above.

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