Full and Partial Dentures in Melbourne
Explore Our Comprehensive Denture Solutions at Sunshine Dental Group, Your Go-To for Full and Partial Dentures in Melbourne. Losing teeth can significantly impact your daily life, affecting your ability to eat, speak, and smile confidently. Dentures offer a practical solution, restoring not only the functionality but also the aesthetics of your smile. Whether your oral health demands partial or complete dentures, understanding these options is crucial in making the right decision.
What are Dentures?
Dentures are removable dental appliances that are custom-made to replace missing teeth and restore the functionality and appearance of your smile. They are designed to closely resemble natural teeth and gums, providing a comfortable and natural-looking solution for individuals with missing teeth. Dentures are typically made from acrylic resin or a combination of acrylic resin and metal framework. They consist of prosthetic teeth attached to a gum-coloured base that rests on the gums or is supported by dental implants. Dentures can be either full or partial; both are removable, allowing easy cleaning and maintenance. Experience the Comfort and Quality of Full and Partial Dentures at Sunshine Dental Group in Melbourne.
Understanding Full Dentures
Full dentures, also called complete dentures, are removable dental appliances that replace all the natural teeth in either the upper or lower arch or both. They are designed to restore the functionality and appearance of a full set of teeth for individuals who have lost all their natural teeth due to decay, gum disease, or trauma.
Full Dentures Process Involved
Getting full dentures typically involves multiple dental visits over several weeks.
- Initial Consultation: During the first visit, your dentist will assess your oral health, evaluate the condition of your remaining teeth and gums, and determine if full dentures are the appropriate treatment option.
- Impression Taking: In the subsequent visit, impressions of your gums and jawbone will be taken to create a custom-fit denture. These impressions are the basis for fabricating the denture to ensure a secure and comfortable fit.
- Wax Try-In: A wax model of the denture will be created based on the initial impressions. This model allows you to preview the appearance and fit of the denture before it is finalised. Adjustments can be made to ensure optimal comfort and aesthetics.
- Final Denture Fabrication: Once the wax try-in is approved, the final denture is fabricated in a dental laboratory. The denture consists of a flesh-coloured acrylic base that closely matches the colour of your gums and a complete set of prosthetic teeth made from durable materials.
- Fitting and Adjustments: The completed denture will be placed in your mouth during the final visit. Your dentist will check the fit, make necessary adjustments, and ensure the denture aligns with your facial features and bite. It may take some time to adjust to the new denture, and follow-up visits may be needed for further adjustments if required.
Advantages of Full Dentures
Full dentures provide numerous benefits, including:
- Improved Function: Full dentures restore your ability to chew, bite, and speak correctly, allowing you to enjoy a wide range of foods and confidently communicate.
- Enhanced Aesthetics: Dentures recreate the appearance of a natural smile, helping to restore facial features and giving you a more youthful appearance.
- Support for Facial Muscles: Full dentures support the facial muscles, which can help prevent a sagging or sunken-in appearance in the cheeks and lips.
- Boost in Self-Confidence: By replacing missing teeth, full dentures can significantly enhance your self-esteem, enabling you to smile and socialise confidently.
Understanding Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are removable dental appliances that replace one or more missing teeth while preserving the remaining natural teeth. They are designed to fit around the existing teeth and fill in the gaps created by missing teeth, restoring both function and aesthetics to your smile.
Partial Dentures Process Involved
The process of getting partial dentures involves the following steps:
- Initial Assessment: The initial assessment for getting partial dentures will be the same as getting full dentures. Your dentist will examine your oral health, check the condition of your remaining teeth, and suggest if partial dentures are the right treatment option for you.
- Impressions and Model Creation: If you are a suitable candidate for partial dentures, your dentist will take impressions of your teeth and gums to design a custom-made partial denture. These impressions are the basis for fabricating the denture to ensure a precise fit.
- Framework Design: A framework will be constructed to support the replacement teeth and secure the partial denture. Depending on your requirements, the framework may be made of a metal alloy, acrylic resin, or a combination of both.
- Replacement Teeth Selection: Replacement teeth that closely match your natural teeth’ colour, shape, and size will be chosen to ensure a seamless blend with your existing dentition. The replacement teeth are typically made from porcelain or acrylic materials.
- Try-In and Final Adjustments: Once the partial denture is fabricated, you will have a try-in appointment to ensure a proper fit and aesthetics. Your dentist will adjust to ensure optimal comfort, stability, and appearance.
- Oral Hygiene and Maintenance: Your dentist will provide instructions on properly cleaning and caring for your partial denture. This includes regular cleaning, removing the denture for cleaning, and maintaining good oral hygiene practices to prevent plaque buildup and potential oral health issues.
Advantages of Partial Dentures
Partial dentures offer several advantages:
- Improved Chewing and Speaking: Partial dentures restore the ability to bite and chew properly, allowing you to enjoy a varied diet. They also help improve speech clarity by filling in the gaps caused by missing teeth.
- Preservation of Remaining Teeth: By filling the spaces created by missing teeth, partial dentures help prevent the remaining natural teeth from shifting or tilting, maintaining the alignment of your bite.
- Increased Confidence: Partial dentures can significantly boost self-confidence by restoring your smile and enabling you to socialise and interact with others without feeling self-conscious about missing teeth.
Do Dentures Break? Can They Be Repaired?
Dentures can break or become damaged due to accidents, mishandling, or wear and tear over time. However, they can often be repaired, depending on the extent of the damage.
Dentures are made from durable materials, such as acrylic resin or a combination of resin and metal. However, they can still break if dropped, subjected to excessive force, or if they’ve become worn out over time. Typical areas of breakage include the denture base, the artificial teeth, or the clasps in partial dentures.
If your denture breaks or becomes damaged, it is crucial to contact your dentist as soon as possible. Attempting to repair the denture or using over-the-counter adhesive can lead to further damage and improper alignment. Professional denture repair is the best course of action.
Your dentist, specialising in denture repair, can assess the damage and determine the appropriate repair options. The repair may sometimes involve:
- Bonding the broken pieces together.
- Replacing a missing tooth.
- Reinforcing weak areas with additional materials.
- The repair procedure depends on the specific nature and extent of the damage.
Conventional vs. Immediate Dentures: Choosing the Right Fit
When opting for dentures, you have two main choices: conventional and immediate. Conventional dentures are crafted after healing, providing a precise fit. Immediate dentures are inserted right after extraction, maintaining appearance during healing but may need adjustments. Consult your dentist to decide which option suits you best.”
How Expensive Are Dentures?
The cost of dentures in Melbourne varies depending on several factors, including the type of denture, the materials used, the complexity of the case, the geographical location, and the dentist’s expertise. Generally, dentures are considered an affordable tooth replacement option compared to other restorative dental procedures.
Here are some cost considerations related to dentures:
- Full/Complete Dentures: The cost of full dentures is typically higher than partial dentures. Full dentures require more extensive customisation and materials.
- Partial Dentures: These are generally less expensive than Complete dentures since they replace only a few missing teeth and utilise fewer materials. The cost may also vary depending on the type of partial dentures, such as those with metal frameworks or those made solely from acrylic resin.
- Materials Used: The type of materials used for the denture base and artificial teeth can influence the cost. Higher-quality materials may result in a higher overall cost but often provide better aesthetics and durability.
- Additional Procedures: If any preparatory treatments, such as tooth extractions or gum treatments, are required before the denture placement, they will add to the overall cost.
- Dentist’s Expertise: The experience and expertise of the dentist can affect the cost. Highly skilled and experienced dentists may charge higher fees for their services.
How Much Do Full Dentures Cost in Melbourne?
- Immediate Dentures Cost – $749*
- Complete Upper Denture Cost – $1,199*
- Complete Lower Denture Cost – $1,199*
- Complete Upper & Lower Denture Cost – $2,199*
- Single Tooth Denture Cost – Starts From 700*
Is it better to get full dentures or partials?
The choice between full dentures and partial dentures depends on your specific dental situation. Full dentures are suitable when you’ve lost all your teeth, while partial dentures work well if you still have some natural teeth. Partial dentures can offer better stability and retention due to the support from remaining teeth.
Are partial dentures cheaper than full?
In general, partial dentures tend to be less expensive than full/complete dentures. This is because partial dentures replace only a few missing teeth, requiring less material and labor. However, the cost can vary based on factors like the materials used, complexity of the design, and the dental provider’s fees.
Do pensioners get free dentures in Australia?
In Australia, some pensioners and eligible individuals might have access to subsidised or free dental care through government programs like the Public Dental Scheme (CDBS) and state-based initiatives. However, the availability of free dentures can vary depending on the program, your location, and your specific circumstances. It’s important to check with local authorities or our Melbourne denture clinic to determine the options available to you.
If you want an accurate cost estimate for installing dentures, it is best to speak to the experts at Sunshine Dental Group. Our dentist will assess your oral health, discuss the treatment options, and provide a breakdown of the costs. Investing in high-quality dentures, offering maximum comfort and fit, is essential to achieve the expected results. Choose to get your dentures designed by experienced dentists at Sunshine Dental Group, and you will not regret your decision. Contact us to schedule an appointment with our dentists.
