Full dentures replace all the teeth and are made out of acrylic. Partial dentures are made out of either acrylic or metal and are designed to replace only a few teeth.  Partial dentures constructed of metal are more comfortable and stronger than acrylic partial dentures.

How are they done?
A few appointments are necessary in the construction of dentures. The dentist takes impressions and moulds with wax and our Dental Laboratory constructs the dentures themselves. Once the dentures are completed, they may need slight adjustments until they feel totally comfortable. These adjustments can be performed very easily here at the practice.

Risks involved:
If you haven’t worn dentures before, you need to allow your mouth to adapt. This may take a little time, but your persistence will pay off.  Over time the gum and bone supporting the dentures changes. The dentures may need ‘relining’ after time to ensure they remain stable and comfortable.  The gum tissue is at risk of a fungal infection if the dentures are not removed every day and cleaned and left out of the mouth overnight.

Life expectancy:
To ensure the health of the mouth and proper function is maintained dentures should be remade every 7 years.

Dentures should be left out at night to allow the gum tissues to rest. After eating, the dentures can be cleaned using a denture brush and denture cleaner. While the dentures are out, rinse your mouth with a mouth-rinse. If you have partial dentures, the remaining teeth should be brushed twice a day and flossed once a day. Regular six monthly check-ups should also be maintained.



A bridge is one way to replace a missing tooth. An artificial tooth is anchored to the teeth either side of the gap. A bridge can replace one or more missing teeth.

How is it done?
There are two appointments required for a bridge.

At the initial visit, the teeth either side of the gap are prepared by reducing them down in size by approximately 1-2mm from around the circumference and biting surface. An impression is taken of the area and is sent to our Dental Laboratory; they construct the bridge. Temporary caps are placed over these prepared teeth while we wait the two weeks for the next appointment.

The second appointment involves removing the temporaries and trying in the bridge. If the colour and fit are correct, the bridge is cemented in place permanently.

Risks involved:
There is a small risk that the nerve inside the natural teeth at either side of the gap may die, as is the case when teeth sustain any type of disturbances. If nerve death does occur, a Root Canal Filling would need to be performed.

If the bridge ever dislodges, it means the cement has broken down. We then simply re-cement the bridge.

There is a future risk that the tooth root or the ‘neck’ of the tooth or core of the tooth may fracture. Different options are available depending on the depth of the fracture and condition of remaining root.

Life expectancy:
A conservative estimate is 10 years. The life of any dental restoration is lengthened with diligent home care maintenance.

In addition to conscientious home care including brushing every morning and night, flossing once a day and regular six monthly check-ups, you will be supplied with a specific type of floss to clean under the bridge.