Frequently Asked Questions
Process of getting dentures
Getting dentures can be a world of unknowns for many, particularly people who have never worn dentures. Don't worry! We are here with straightforward answers.
Getting an intra oral scan or an impression doesn’t hurt! When your denture is fitted for the first time, it is normal to have some discomfort and soreness while you adjust. This can last from a few days to a few weeks. Don’t endure any pain, give us a call and we will book you in ASAP for a free adjustment to improve your comfort.
From the day of your Intra Oral Scan appointment, you will receive your denture typically between 2-4 weeks.
Typically, we request a 50% deposit during your Intra Oral Scan appointment to secure your treatment. The remaining 50% is due at the final fitting of your denture. If you are paying via WINZ or insurance, this will be paid to us via bank transfer or loaded onto your payment card.
We do provide flexibility around treatment payments via Direct Debit, to help spread out the costs over a 6 month period.
At minimum, you can get your new dentures in just two appointments! For most cases however the amount of appointments will be 3-4: your consultation appointment, intra oral scan appointment, final fit appointment, and adjustments if needed. Please note that for more complex cases, a trial denture appointment may be required prior to your final fit.
Consultations with our clinic are completely free and no-obligation quotes are provided.
For WINZ: please book in to see us for a free WINZ Quote Consultation. During this appointment, we will examine your mouth and talk you through the treatment process. We will fill out a WINZ form that you can take to your case manager. Upon approval, inform us and we will book you in immediately to begin your treatment.
For insurance: please book in to see us for a free consultation in which we can provide you a quote for your denture treatment. Contact your insurance provider and share with them your treatment quote. Once we confirm the claim is approved, we will book you in immediately to begin your treatment.
You denture treatment quote covers the entire process: consultation, intra oral scan, materials, labour, trial denture and/or final fit, and ongoing adjustments you may need. Please note, as your denture gets older it is normal to require a denture reline, which is not included in your initial treatment quote.
Full Dentures
Dentures that replace the entire row of missing teeth in the upper and/or lower jaw.
Full dentures, also known as complete dentures, are removable prosthetic teeth that replace all of your teeth in the upper and/or lower jaw. They sit snug on your gums and are custom made to fit your mouth, allowing you to smile, eat, and speak comfortably.
You may need full dentures if you do not have any natural teeth remaining in your upper and/or lower jaw. You may also need full dentures if some remaining teeth you have are deemed unhealthy and can’t be saved by your dentist. We will do a full assessment to see what is best for your situation. If you are planning tooth extractions, you must let our clinicians know.
Not necessarily, if you have planned teeth extractions we may be able to provide you an immediate denture service (see below). If you are waiting for your gums to heal post-extractions then yes, you may be without teeth for a few weeks.
We provide a 5 year warranty on all of our premium full dentures and a 1 year warranty on the Confi-Classic full denture. With good care, your dentures can last much longer than this. Even good dentures will require relines every few years as your gums change shape with time. This will help maintain a good fit for your dentures.
Yes, modern dentures are designed to look very natural, and we will work with you to choose a tooth shade that will be a good match. They my feel a bit odd at first, but most people adjust to wearing dentures quickly. The premium full dentures such as the Confi Bio and Confi Bold/Soft range are designed to feel very comfortable in your mouth.
Partial Dentures
Dentures that replace gaps left by a few missing teeth in the upper and/or lower jaw.
Partial dentures are designed to replace the gaps that have been left by one or more missing teeth while your natural teeth remain in place. They are custom made to fit snug around your existing teeth and help restore your ability to eat, speak, and smile comfortably.
Yes, the natural teeth you have remaining must be healthy and stable in order to support the partial denture. If you have concerns about your dental or gum health, please book in with your dentist prior to seeing us.
This depends on the type of partial denture you wish to get, as some are more customisable than others. We will discuss these differences with you when you are planning your partial denture treatment.
This comes down to a few factors: your durability requirements, visual preference, and your budget.
Acrylic partials are the most affordable option and are easier to modify if you need to add teeth to the denture in the future. While not as strong as metal or flexible types, they still provide a functional and cost-effective solution for many patients.
Metal partials are made from chrome, offering superior durability and a secure fit, making them the most long-lasting option. Depending on the design, the clasps that wrap around your natural teeth may be visible, but tooth coloured options may be available. You can discuss this during your appointment with us to choose the style that best suits your needs.
Flexible partials are very comfortable, lightweight, and look very natural since they contain no metal. While they cannot be repaired if they break, and teeth cannot be added to the denture in the future, they remain a great option for patients looking for a comfortable and natural solution for a few missing teeth.
Implant Dentures
Dentures that are fixed in place to surgically placed implants in the upper and/or lower jaw.
Implant-retained dentures are full or partial dentures that are secured to dental implants that are surgically placed in your jaw. The implants provide extra stability and are a long-term denture option.
Eligibility depends on a few factors. You need to have enough healthy jawbone to support the implants, and your gums and overall oral health must be in good condition. Certain medical conditions may also affect suitability.
During your consultation we can discuss all of these factors to see if implant dentures may be a suitable option for you.
Unfortunately we cannot perform a repair on an implant denture fixed to your jaw, you will need to see your implant specialist.
Yes, the placing of titanium dental implants is a surgical procedure performed by an implant specialist. After insertion, there will be a healing period (typically 3-6 months) while the bone fuses around the implants, this is called osseointegration. During this time, you may opt for an immediate temporary denture. After this healing period, your permanent denture can be securely attached.
Immediate Dentures
Dentures that are designed to go in your mouth right after teeth extractions.
An immediate denture is designed to be placed in your mouth on the same day your natural teeth have been extracted. This means you wont be without teeth while your gums heal.
Immediate dentures are designed to be a temporary solution to give you teeth right after your extractions. As your gums heal, they shrink. Typically in 6-12 months, you will require a denture reline. In some cases, a permanent denture may be recommended to ensure the best fit, function, and comfort long-term.
Yes, there is an additional cost of $250+GST for immediate processing.
Yes this is completely normal. While your gums are healing after your teeth have been extracted, their shape is going to change and shrink. Adjustments during the healing period are normal, then an eventual reline.
Most patients will experience some discomfort or soreness after the extractions and while adjusting to the immediate denture. This is normal and improves as your gums heal. We are able to make small adjustments to your immediate denture if needed to improve comfort.
Repairs & Relines
How you can keep your dentures functional without needing to replace them.
If your denture cracks, a tooth falls out, or it breaks in half – secure it safely in a denture box and give us a call. Please, don’t try to fix your denture yourself with superglue! This not only isn’t safe for oral use, it can often make the damage worse. In most cases dentures can be repaired quickly with professional equipment. We will book you in at our earliest availability to see what we can do to help.
In most cases, yes. Most denture repair cases can be fixed in the same day, but booking is essential! We carry out repairs at our Rosedale lab on Mondays and Thursdays. If you are located out West, you can drop off your denture in Te Atatu, we will repair it in Rosedale, then you can pick it back up in Te Atatu.
This completely depends on the severity of the damage. This includes whether there is a hairline crack or a deep fracture, if the denture has split in two, if teeth have fallen out or are damaged, the material of the denture etc. Please call us to find out how much your repair may cost. After an initial assessment by the clinician, we will provide your quote for repair.
Once a denture has broken, the repaired state will never be as strong as the original denture. The repaired denture will restore oral function and aesthetics, but it will not be as strong as a brand new denture.
A denture reline is a process where the inside surface of your denture is reshaped and built up with new material to better fit your gums. Your mouth and gum shape changes over time, relines are a great way to look after your denture and maintain a comfortable and secure fit.
It is a good idea to consider getting a reline every couple of years to make sure your denture fits properly. Gums shrink over time, which can cause ill-fitting dentures. If you notice that your denture feels loose, is slipping while eating or talking, or is causing sore spots, it may be time for a reline. If you have an immediate denture, you typically need a reline sooner, within 6-12 months.
A rebase is the process where the entire denture acrylic (the pink part) is replaced with new material, while keeping the original denture teeth in place. Rebasing is usually done if the denture base is old or damaged beyond what a reline could help with.
A reline adds material to your existing denture base to improve the fit. A rebase replaces the entire denture base with new material while keeping the teeth.
Relines can often be completed in one day. Rebasing generally takes a few days. We will give you an estimated timeline when you come in.
Hygiene & care
Best hygiene and care tips for long-lasting dentures.
Daily cleaning is needed to prevent plaque build-up, prevent staining, and to help extend the life of your dentures.
Clean your dentures using a soft bristle denture brush or toothbrush with mild hand or dish soap. Be gentle handling your denture and don’t scrub hard. Don’t clean your dentures with toothpaste as it is too abrasive for denture teeth. Rinse after meals if needed and let them soak overnight in a denture soaking solution.
It is very important to maintain good oral hygiene for any remaining natural teeth. Gently brush and floss your natural teeth every morning and night to keep them healthy and stable.
It is best to remove your dentures at night. Taking them out allows your gums to rest, helps to prevent infections, and can extend the life of your dentures. Store them in a denture soaking solution overnight to keep them clean and prevent bacteria build-up.
Keep your dentures secure in a denture box if you need to take them out during the day. At night keep them submerged in a glass or container filled with a denture soaking solution.
No, toothpaste is too abrasive for denture teeth. Instead, you should use a mild hand or dish soap, and scrub gently with a soft-bristled brush.
Yes! However, it is incredibly important to remember that denture teeth, no matter the quality, aren’t as strong as natural teeth.
To help prevent breakage, chew smaller bites, avoid biting directly into foods – try to cut into smaller pieces instead, and try to chew gently.
The most common food culprits we hear about that cause denture breakage are chocolate and nuts. For chocolate, try sucking or letting it melt in your mouth rather than biting it straight from the fridge. Hard nuts are best avoided. Try alternatives such as nut butters (peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter). All of the flavour, none of the damage!
Yes, denture adhesive can be helpful in the short term if your denture is feeling loose or is slipping.
We recommend using a product specifically designed for oral use, such as Polident Denture Adhesive. Avoid using any general purpose glue or household adhesives as these are unsafe for your mouth.
general Questions
Question not covered so far? You may find it here!
Yes! We are a registered WINZ supplier and offer WINZ quotes to our community to get the denture treatment that is needed.
Yes, our clinics have ramp access and our examination rooms are spacious for your accessibility needs.
Please let us know if you are planning teeth extractions or if you have recently had extractions. This is important when it comes to your gum healing process and whether we proceed with an immediate denture.
The languages spoken by our team are English and Mandarin. Please let us know beforehand if you prefer a Mandarin-speaking appointment. You are also more than welcome to bring a support person for translation assistance.
Of course, you can definitely bring a support person with you. We can provide an additional chair in the examination room.
It is normal to notice a slight change in speech at first. This is part of the adjustment period and goes away with practice.
Dentures are made from different materials depending on the type.
Our classic dentures are made of an acrylic base and acrylic teeth. Metal partials have a thin chrome framework for strength with acrylic teeth and acrylic gum base. Flexible partials are made of translucent nylon to blend in with the gums, and acrylic teeth.
For our premium options, we use Phonares premium NHC composite teeth and high impact acrylic for superior strength, aesthetics, and comfort.