A complete denture is a removable set of teeth that replaces all the teeth in the upper or lower jaw. It is made over several visits — impressions, bite registration, a try-in and the fitting — and it needs daily cleaning, removal at night in most cases, and periodic relines as the gums change over the years.
Who needs a complete denture?
A complete denture, also called a full denture, replaces every tooth in one jaw. Artificial teeth are set in a gum-coloured base that rests on the gums and, in the upper jaw, covers the palate. It belongs to prosthodontics, the branch of dentistry that replaces missing teeth.
- All the teeth in a jaw have already been lost.
- The remaining teeth are too damaged by decay, gum disease or fractures to be saved reliably.
- A solution on implants is not possible or not wanted for now.
A complete denture can be made for one jaw only. If some healthy teeth remain, a partial denture held by your remaining teeth may be more appropriate.
Immediate or conventional denture: two ways to start
When teeth still need to be removed, there are two general approaches, chosen according to your health and whether you can accept a period without teeth.
| Immediate denture | Conventional denture | |
|---|---|---|
| When it is fitted | On the day of the extractions | After the gums have healed, usually some weeks to a few months later |
| Time without teeth | None | Yes, during healing |
| Fit over time | Loosens as the gums shrink; a reline or a new denture is usually needed | More stable from the start |
| Try-in before it is finished | Limited | Yes, in wax |
Because the gums change most in the first months after extractions, an immediate denture is often treated as a transitional one. Care of the extraction wounds is explained in our guide on what to do after a tooth extraction.
How a complete denture is made, visit by visit
A conventional complete denture is usually made over four to six appointments spread over several weeks, with laboratory work in between.
- Examination and first impressions. The dentist checks your gums, the ridges (the bony arches that held the teeth) and your medical history, then takes a first impression.
- Final impressions. A tray made for your mouth records the gums in detail while you move your lips, cheeks and tongue, so the edges of the denture follow your muscles and seal better.
- Bite registration. Wax blocks called bite rims record how your jaws meet and where the teeth should sit to support your lips. The shade, size and shape of the teeth are chosen with you.
- Try-in. The teeth are set in wax so you can see and test the denture while changes are still easy.
- Fitting. The finished denture is placed, pressure points are checked and the bite is balanced.
- Review visits. Small adjustments follow in the next weeks. What to expect while adapting is covered in our article on getting used to dentures in the first month.
None of these steps needs anaesthesia; impressions may feel slightly unpleasant for a minute or two.
Upper versus lower denture: why stability differs
Many people find that the upper denture stays in place well while the lower one feels looser. This has an anatomical explanation.
- The upper denture covers the palate, a large surface. A thin film of saliva creates suction, sealed by its edges.
- The lower denture is horseshoe-shaped because of the tongue. Its surface is smaller and harder to seal, and the tongue moves it when you speak and swallow.
- After tooth loss, the lower ridge often shrinks more, leaving less shape to hold onto.
Careful impressions and a balanced bite improve stability; if that is not enough, implants can help.
Cleaning and night-time care
A denture collects plaque and stains just as natural teeth do. A few points matter most:
- Clean it over a basin of water so it does not break if dropped, including the surface that touches the gums.
- Take it out at night unless your dentist advises otherwise. Rest for the gums lowers the risk of denture stomatitis, a redness under the denture often linked to a yeast called Candida.
- Keep it moist overnight in water or a soaking solution; avoid hot water and bleach.
- Brush your gums, tongue and palate gently every day, even without natural teeth.
Keep attending check-ups for your gums and the fit of the denture.
Relines, rebases and replacement over time
After teeth are lost, the jawbone slowly reshapes throughout life. The denture does not change with it, so the fit gradually loosens.
- Reline: new material is added to the fitting surface to match the current shape of the gums, either in the chair or in a laboratory.
- Rebase: the whole gum-coloured base is renewed while the teeth are kept.
- Replacement: when the teeth are worn, the denture has cracked or a reline no longer gives a good fit.
Many complete dentures last several years, often between five and ten, with relines along the way. Looseness, new sore spots, food trapped underneath or a more sunken look around the mouth are signs to book a review.
Implant-stabilised dentures and fixed alternatives
A loose lower denture can often be stabilised with dental implants, small titanium screws placed in the jawbone that act as artificial roots. Two implants are commonly used in the lower jaw. The denture clicks onto attachments: you still take it out for cleaning, but it moves much less.
Some people prefer teeth that are not removed at all. A fixed full-arch bridge on four implants is described in our article on All-on-4 dental implants, and our complete guide to dental implants explains the general process. Whether implants are possible depends on bone volume and general health. Combined treatments are planned together, as in full-mouth rehabilitation.
What determines the cost
The cost depends on one jaw or both, any extractions needed first, an immediate or conventional approach, the type of denture and materials chosen after the examination, expected relines, and whether implants are added. An examination allows a personal plan with a clear estimate.
Complete dentures at Ajam Dental Clinic in Tripoli
At Ajam Dental Clinic, complete and partial dentures are part of our prosthodontic treatments. Prosthodontic work is carried out by Dr. Abdel Rahman Ajam, who holds an MSc in Aesthetic and Prosthetic Dentistry. The type of denture is chosen after an examination.
Patients come to our clinic on Fouad Chehab Boulevard from across Tripoli — Al-Qobbeh, Bab al-Tabbaneh, Jabal Mohsen and Dam wa Farez — as well as from Beddawi, Minieh and the rest of North Lebanon. If you are considering a complete denture, or your current one no longer fits, contact us to book a consultation via WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a complete denture in only one jaw?
Yes. It is common to have a complete upper denture while the lower jaw still has natural teeth, or the other way round. In that case the dentist pays particular attention to the bite, because natural teeth chew with more force than denture teeth and can, over time, put extra pressure on the gums under the denture. Sometimes the opposing teeth also need treatment, such as fillings or crowns, so that the bite is even. The plan is made after an examination of both jaws.
How long will I be without teeth if I choose a conventional denture?
That depends on how many teeth are removed and how quickly the gums heal. A conventional denture is usually started once the extraction sites have healed enough to keep a stable shape, often after some weeks and sometimes after a few months. If going without teeth is not acceptable for work or social reasons, an immediate denture can be fitted on the day of the extractions and relined or replaced later. Discuss your priorities with the dentist before the extractions so that the plan matches them.
Will a complete denture change how my face looks?
When all the teeth are missing, the lips and cheeks lose part of their support and the lower part of the face can look shorter. A well-designed complete denture restores much of that support, which is why lip position and the height of the bite are checked carefully during the bite registration and the try-in. You see the result in wax before the denture is finished and can ask for changes to the shade, shape or position of the teeth. Over the years, a worn denture can make the face look more sunken again.
Can a broken denture be repaired?
Many fractures, such as a crack in the base or a tooth that has come off, can be repaired, often fairly quickly depending on the laboratory work needed. Keep all the pieces and do not try to glue them yourself: household glues are not safe in the mouth and make a proper repair more difficult. If a denture breaks repeatedly, it is often a sign that the fit has changed or that the bite is uneven, and a reline or a new denture may be the better long-term solution.
Do I still need dental check-ups if I have no natural teeth?
Yes. Even without teeth, regular visits allow the dentist to examine the gums, palate, tongue and the rest of the mouth for sore areas, infections or any lesion that needs attention. The fit of the denture is checked as well, because the jaw slowly changes shape and a loose denture can irritate the gums without causing pain at first. Many dentists suggest a review about once a year for people who wear complete dentures, or sooner if you notice any change.
Can my existing denture be used with implants?
Sometimes. If your current lower denture fits well and is in good condition, it may be possible to adapt it so that it clicks onto attachments once the implants have been placed and have healed. If it is old, worn or poorly fitting, a new denture is usually made to work with the implants. The decision depends on the condition of the denture, the bone available for implants and your general health. An examination, usually with X-rays, shows which options are realistic in your case.
Have a question about your teeth?
Send a WhatsApp message to Dr. Abdel Rahman Ajam or Dr. Soumaya Ajam, or call the clinic to book a consultation.
This article provides general information for patients. It does not replace an examination by a dentist, who can advise you on your own situation.
