What is a Dental Prosthetist?

A Dental Prosthetist is registered to create and fit partial and complete dentures of all kinds, as well as consult directly with patients and operate clinically. Their focus is purely on prosthetics, giving them the knowledge and expertise in the area, as well as the communication skills needed to see clients through all facets of their denture journey.

How often should I visit my Dental Prosthetist?

Oral health is important and prevention is better than cure so an annual check-up is recommended to ensure any issues are addressed and taken care of.

Do I need a referral to see a Dental Prosthetist?

No, though GPs and dentists may refer patients for treatment if they believe our skills are better suited to your needs.

How long will it take to make my new dentures?

There are a number of steps involved in creating your custom dentures and these are generally completed after 4 – 6 appointments. Times vary on your individual needs and availability.

What can I expect at the appointments?

Please visit our what to expect page for a full rundown of our process.

How often should dentures be replaced?

Dentures fit best for the first 2 – 3 years, and will then require touch ups as your face changes shape over time. Relines every few years can help restore the fit of your denture, but it is best if they are replaced entirely every 5 – 7 years. Annual appointments will help keep track of your needs.

When do dentures need relining?

Since our mouths are in a constant state of change and our gums slowly shrink for the rest of our lives, annual check-ups will determine when you need a reline or a replacement of your dentures. Everyone is different so it is a case-by-case basis.

What happens if I don’t regularly replace my dentures?

Worn out dentures can cause damage and discomfort, as well as be expensive if left unchecked for long periods of time. Possible side effects are headaches, neck and joint pain, difficulty swallowing, sunken face, over-closing of the jaw, irritated and soft gums, as well as premature bone loss.

My denture is loose and moves when I eat. What does that mean?

This usually depends on how old the denture is: if it’s over seven years old, it might be time for a new denture.

If the denture is relatively new, it could mean that you need a hard reline to improve the fitting surface of the denture. Some patients, especially those who lost their teeth to periodontal disease (where the inflammation from plaque around the teeth causes swelling and bleeding of the gums, with permanent bone loss resulting from long standing inflammation) will experience very rapid loss of alveolar bone and will need hard relines more frequently than other patients.

My upper denture isn’t connecting properly with my lower denture. What does this mean?

This is usually caused by one of two things:

1. Your bite may not have been registered correctly when you first had your denture made. This can be a difficult procedure once teeth are lost, since the upper and lower jaw usually align themselves using the position of the teeth. This can be corrected by retaking the bite and realigning the denture.
2. Long-term use may have worn away the molar teeth that are responsible for positioning the upper and lower dentures. The molar teeth contain three or four cusps each, which are little-raised areas that help crush and grind food, but also determine how the teeth come together. These are ground down over time and when they are lost a new denture is required.

How do I look after my dentures?

It’s important to treat your dentures like your natural teeth since they’re prone to the same plaque build up. Brushing several times a day as well as a yearly check-up for a professional clean will preserve your oral health as well as your dentures. Do not use tooth paste on your denture, warm soapy water is best for dentures.

What’s the best way to clean my dentures?

Daily cleaning with a non-abrasive cleaner and a soft bristled brush will help minimise the build-up of plaque and stains on your dentures.
Note: Abrasives in toothpaste can cause small scratches that allow bacteria and stains to more easily attach to the denture.

How often do I need to get my dentures professionally cleaned?

When it comes to professional cleaning of your dentures, every six months is optimal, but once a year is acceptable provided you’re keeping on top of your oral health in the interim.

Can I sleep in my dentures?

You can, but it’s not recommended. Dentures are best removed at night to give your gums and bone a break from the pressure of your denture. If you need to wear them at night, be sure to make time to properly clean your mouth and your denture before bed.

Dentures should be cleaned morning, night and, ideally, after all meals.

Will dentures affect my speech?

You might notice a bit of a difference at first, but with time your tongue, lips and cheeks will become accustomed to the contours of your dentures. Singing and reading out loud will help this process along.

How will dentures affect the way I eat?

Finding your feet when it comes to eating with dentures takes practice and patience, but it will come with time. It’s best to avoid hard foods to begin with, and try taking smaller bites and chewing gently to prevent dentures from becoming loose. For more tips, visit our what to expect page.

Why do my new dentures fit differently than my old dentures?

Adjusting to new dentures takes time, no matter how many sets you’ve had before. Considering bone and gums recede over time, dentures get larger to keep facial appearance as it was.

Every set of new dentures will fit differently and will take between six and eight weeks to settle into. See our what to expect page for more information.

Can I super glue my denture if it breaks?

No! Do not try to repair or glue the denture yourself. Bring the denture and its pieces to us at Allround to fix. Gluing your dentures may prevent us from being able to repair them. Furthermore, we recommend patients keep a spare set of dentures in case existing ones become damaged.

How much do dentures cost?

Everyone is different and there are many different treatment options available. After your consultation we’ll be able to give you a more accurate idea of your individual situation and pricing.

What can I do if I'm unable to come to your clinic?

If you’re not able to come to us, we provide a complimentary mobile service to residential, nursing home and senior centres. Please call or visit our forms page for more information.

What payment facilities do you have?

We accept Visa, MasterCard, EFTPOS and Cash. We also have a HICAPS terminal for
on-the-spot health fund claims.