Full, Partial, Acrylic or Flexible? Choosing Dentures in Liverpool

If you have been told you need a denture, the choices can be confusing: full or partial, acrylic, metal or flexible, immediate or conventional. This guide explains the differences in plain English, so you know what to ask at your consultation.

Full dentures

A full denture replaces every tooth in the upper or lower jaw and rests on the gums. Upper dentures usually hold well because of suction against the palate. Lower dentures have less to grip, which is why a well-made fit, and sometimes a reline as the gums change, matters so much.

Partial dentures: three materials

• Acrylic. The most affordable, and easy to add teeth to later. Bulkier than the other options.
• Cast metal (chrome). A thin, strong metal frame that clips around your own teeth. Slimmer and more stable, and usually the most comfortable long term.
• Flexible. A soft, gum-coloured material with no metal clasps. Comfortable and discreet for small gaps, but harder to adjust or repair.

Immediate dentures

An immediate denture is made before your teeth are removed and fitted on the same day, so you are never without teeth. The gums shrink as they heal, so expect a reline after a few months.

How long does it take?

Most custom dentures take three to four appointments over a few weeks: consultation and impressions, recording your bite, a try-in where you see the teeth before they are finished, then the fitting. Small adjustments in the first weeks are normal and part of the process.

Paying for dentures in Liverpool

Many of our denture patients use an NSW Oral Health Fee for Service voucher or a DVA Gold or White card, and we accept both. Health funds with major dental cover usually pay a rebate, claimed on the spot through HICAPS. You are given a written quote before anything is made.

Thinking about dentures? See our dentures in Liverpool page. Book online or call (02) 9822 7107.