Dentures: Replacing Multiple Missing Teeth
Dentures are removable false teeth that replace missing teeth: complete dentures replace all the teeth in one jaw, and partial dentures fill gaps between natural teeth. This page is for anyone considering dentures. It covers types and materials, appointments, getting used to them, why changes in the gums and jawbone can mean relining or remaking, alternatives, and the practice's denture fees.
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Clinically reviewed by Dr Ibraheem Ijaz, dentist · GDC 301711
Medical disclaimer: This page is for general information only. It does not replace an examination or treatment by a dentist.
Dr Ibraheem Ijaz, principal dentist at Deepcar Dental Care, reviewed this page. He is a General Dental Practitioner, GDC 301711, and his registration can be checked on the General Dental Council's online register.
What are dentures?
Dentures are removable false teeth that replace missing teeth. NHS guidance says they fit over your gums, and some types also clip onto any remaining teeth you have.
In clinical terms, a denture is a removable prosthesis. NHS guidance says complete dentures can replace all of your upper or lower teeth, and partial dentures can replace 1 or more missing teeth.
At Deepcar Dental Care, dentures are provided by our restorative dentists, and options include full dentures, flexible dentures and immediate dentures. No overseas laboratory work is used, and work goes to more than one laboratory, chosen to suit the case.
When are dentures the answer?
Dentures are one way to replace teeth that are missing or need to be removed, NHS guidance says.
In general, dentures help with problems caused by missing teeth, such as difficulty eating or speaking. The Oral Health Foundation says dentures can also help keep your bite balanced and prevent remaining teeth from tipping or drifting into gaps.
Other treatments can also replace missing teeth. If you are weighing a denture against other ways to fill a gap, our decision guide helps with working out which option suits.
What types of dentures are there?
Dentures are either complete (full) or partial, and you may also hear of immediate and flexible dentures. The Oral Health Foundation says partial dentures are used when you still have some natural teeth.
Immediate dentures are for when a set is needed quickly or teeth are being added to an existing set. NHS guidance says they can usually be made within a few days, and that they often need to be adjusted or replaced up to a year later, because your mouth can change shape as it heals after having teeth removed.
Flexible dentures are made from a soft, flexible plastic and are gently bent into place. The Oral Health Foundation says they stay in place by lightly flexing around your natural teeth, rather than using metal clasps.
What are dentures made of?
In general, dentures are made from plastic (acrylic), from a thin metal base such as cobalt chrome, or from a flexible plastic.
| Denture material (general guidance) | What the Oral Health Foundation says | Points to weigh |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic (acrylic) | The most common type. Full dentures stay in place using suction, and partial dentures are held in place with small metal clasps. | Some people find acrylic dentures bulky or harder to get used to. A plastic partial denture that is not well designed may put pressure on natural teeth and gums, and over time this could affect the health of the remaining teeth. |
| Metal (cobalt chrome) | A thin metal base with natural-looking teeth attached. Smaller and lighter than plastic dentures, with clasps that fit around natural teeth. | Only suitable if you still have strong natural teeth to support it. Usually more expensive than plastic dentures. |
| Flexible plastic | Usually used as partial dentures, often horseshoe-shaped so they do not usually cover the roof of the mouth. They can feel smaller and more comfortable, be less noticeable and be less likely to affect speech or taste. | A 2014 position paper from a Japan Prosthodontic Society expert panel said that, according to current prosthetic principles, flexible partial dentures with plastic clasps and no metal framework are not recommended as definitive dentures, except in limited cases such as patients with a metal allergy. |
Partial dentures are covered in more depth in our guide to partial dentures.
How are dentures made and fitted?
NHS guidance says dentures are custom-made: putty is used to create a mould, and some dentists may take a scan instead. It usually takes a few weeks for them to be made, the NHS says.
At Deepcar Dental Care, a full denture takes 1 to 4 visits. Our guide to full dentures explains what to expect.
Questions about this treatment? Book online or call the practice.
How long does it take to get used to dentures?
NHS guidance says it can take a few weeks to get used to wearing dentures. It may help to practise taking them in and out and to eat softer foods until you are comfortable with your regular diet.
The Oral Health Foundation says eating with dentures can take a little time, and suggests starting with soft foods, cutting food into small pieces, chewing slowly and evenly on both sides of your mouth, and avoiding very sticky or hard foods at first. Most people return to a normal diet once they are used to their dentures.
When should you speak to your dentist about dentures?
Speak to your dentist if your dentures are causing problems. NHS guidance says that if dentures are not cleaned properly and adjusted when needed, they could lead to problems such as a sore mouth, infections, and difficulty eating and speaking. It says to see a dentist if:
- your dentures click when you are talking
- your dentures slip, or you feel they no longer fit properly
- your dentures are causing pain
- your dentures are worn or damaged: if your dentures break, bring any broken parts to the dentist so they can check if they are able to repair them
- you have very red or bleeding gums, or bad breath, which can be signs of gum disease, a fungal infection or tooth decay
Why do dentures need relining or remaking over time?
Dentures may need relining or remaking over time because the gums and jawbone under them can keep changing shape after teeth are lost.
The ridge of jawbone that once held the teeth is called the residual ridge, and its gradual loss is known as ridge resorption. A 1998 review describes residual ridge remodelling as the long-term result of tooth extraction, in which the quantity of bone continuously decreases.
The change is fastest soon after a tooth is removed. A 2012 systematic review found that human re-entry studies showed horizontal bone loss of 29 to 63% and vertical bone loss of 11 to 22% in the 6 months after extraction, with rapid reductions in the first 3 to 6 months followed by gradual reductions after that.
NHS guidance says dentures may become loose as your gums and jawbone shrink or change shape as you get older, and advises seeing a dentist if they slip or no longer fit properly. Day-to-day cleaning and storage are covered in our guide to caring for dentures.
At Deepcar Dental Care, dentures are reviewed every 6 to 12 months. The realistic range for a denture before it needs a reline or remake is 5 to 10 years, and outcomes depend on the individual patient, their oral hygiene and their habits.
The practice carries out denture relines, which are a way of refitting a denture.
What are the alternatives to dentures?
Bridges and dental implants are other ways to replace missing teeth, NHS guidance says.
NHS guidance says bridges are fixed to other teeth in your mouth and cannot be removed. Our page on dental bridges explains how they work, and our guide to choosing between a bridge and a denture weighs up the two.
NHS guidance says dental implants are fixed to the jawbone to replace the roots of teeth and can help support crowns or some types of dentures, and dentures held in place by implants are covered in our guide to implant-retained dentures.
How much do dentures cost?
The practice's fee list, as shown on 25 October 2026, prints three denture lines.
| Fee list line (as printed) | Fee (from), as printed |
|---|---|
| Full Dentures | £990 |
| Partial Acrylic Dentures | From £650 - £950 |
| Partial Cobalt Chrome Dentures | From £950 |
Flexible dentures and immediate dentures have no line on the fee list. The restorative cost page explains what it costs to have a denture or another restoration.
At Deepcar Dental Care, 12 months of aftercare cover applies to fillings, crowns and bridges, dentures, and porcelain veneers. The cover gives free repair, free replacement or remake, and free adjustments. It does not apply where damage results from accidental trauma or infection, and for dentures, gum recession is also excluded.
What other restorative treatments are there?
Dentures sit alongside fillings, crowns and bridges among restorative treatments, and our restorative treatments page sets out the options in this section. The main page on repairing and rebuilding damaged teeth explains how restorative dentistry saves natural teeth, as distinct from implants.
Frequently asked questions
Are dentures available on the NHS?
An NHS dentist may offer you dentures if you need them to treat a dental problem, NHS guidance says. They assess your teeth and decide if dentures are the right option. In England, dentures are a Band 3 treatment, currently £332.10, which may include dentures made from plastic or metal. Some people are entitled to free NHS dental treatment.
Does denture adhesive help?
Evidence suggests denture adhesive can improve how well complete dentures stay in place. A 2021 meta-analysis of 39 studies found adhesives improved retention, bite force and chewing performance in complete denture wearers, with relatively smaller effects on bite force and chewing. A 2021 review of 10 trials rated the quality of the evidence as very low.
Will dentures change how I look?
Dentures are designed to look natural, according to the Oral Health Foundation. If you still have some natural teeth, the denture teeth are matched to them. If you have none, your dental team chooses a size, shape and colour that suits your face. Old photos of your natural smile can help when full dentures are made.
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Deepcar Dental Care is at 334 Manchester Road, Deepcar, Sheffield, S36 2RH, open from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Sunday. Free parking is directly outside, and the practice is on the ground floor with wheelchair access. Patient feedback is on the practice's reviews page.
334 Manchester Road
Deepcar, Sheffield S36 2RH
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