What are dentures?
Dentures are removable replacements for missing teeth and the surrounding tissue. They restore your ability to chew and speak properly, support the lips and cheeks so the face keeps its natural shape, and give you back a complete smile.
Modern dentures are a considerable step on from the ones many people picture. Materials are lighter and stronger, teeth look far more natural, and fit is more precise. For patients who want maximum stability, dentures can also be anchored onto dental implants so they never move.
At Mera Dental Clinic in Delhi we provide complete dentures, partial dentures, flexible dentures and implant-retained overdentures, and we take the time to get the fit and appearance right rather than simply handing over a set of teeth.
Types of dentures
Complete (full) dentures
For patients who have lost all their teeth in one or both jaws. An acrylic base is shaped to your gums and carries a full set of teeth. The upper denture is held by suction against the palate; the lower rests on the ridge and is stabilised by the tongue and cheeks.
Partial dentures
For patients who still have some natural teeth. The replacement teeth sit on a base that clips discreetly to remaining teeth. Partials also stop the remaining teeth drifting into the gaps.
Flexible dentures
Made from a flexible nylon-type material rather than rigid acrylic, with gum-coloured clasps instead of metal ones. More comfortable and far less visible, and a good option for patients who dislike visible metalwork.
Cast partial dentures
A slim, strong metal framework with acrylic and teeth attached. Thinner and considerably more durable than all-acrylic partials, and generally more comfortable to wear long term.
Immediate dentures
Made in advance and fitted on the same day teeth are extracted, so you never appear in public without teeth. They need relining after a few months as the gums heal and shrink.
Implant-retained overdentures
A denture that clips securely onto two or more implants. This solves the classic problem of a loose lower denture — it stays put while eating and speaking, yet can still be removed for cleaning. For many patients this is the single biggest improvement available.
Why replacing missing teeth matters
- Chewing and nutrition. People with several missing teeth avoid fruit, vegetables and meat, and diet quality drops measurably.
- Speech. Missing teeth change how sounds are formed.
- Facial support. Lips and cheeks lose their backing and the face begins to look collapsed, adding years to the appearance.
- Remaining teeth. Without support, they drift, tilt and take excessive load.
- Bone. Jawbone shrinks steadily where teeth are missing — one reason to consider implants alongside or instead of dentures.
- Confidence. The one patients mention most, and rarely first.
How dentures are made, step by step
- Consultation and assessment. We examine your remaining teeth, gums and ridges, take X-rays, and discuss which type of denture suits your mouth, your priorities and your budget. Any teeth needing extraction or gum treatment are dealt with first.
- Primary impressions. An initial mould of your jaws to make custom trays.
- Final impressions. A precise, detailed record taken in custom trays — this determines how well the denture fits and grips.
- Bite registration. We record how your jaws meet, and at what height. Getting this right is what makes a denture comfortable rather than tiring.
- Try-in. The teeth are set in wax and tried in your mouth so you can see and approve the appearance, shade and arrangement before anything is finalised. Changes are easy at this stage and hard afterwards.
- Fitting. The finished denture is inserted, pressure points are checked and relieved, and the bite is adjusted.
- Review and adjustment. Small sore spots in the first weeks are normal and expected. We see you back and adjust — this is a routine part of denture treatment, not a sign anything is wrong.
The full process usually takes two to four weeks and four to five visits.
Getting used to new dentures
Honesty helps here: dentures take practice. The first two to four weeks involve real adjustment, and knowing that in advance makes it far easier.
- Increased saliva for the first few days is normal and settles.
- A bulky feeling fades as the tongue and cheeks learn the new shape.
- Sore spots will appear. Come in for an adjustment rather than enduring them or trying to file the denture yourself.
- Start with soft foods cut small, chewing on both sides evenly to keep the denture stable.
- Practise speaking — read aloud at home. Words that feel awkward at first normalise within days.
- Denture adhesive can help confidence in the early weeks, but a well-fitting denture should not depend on it. Persistent looseness means the fit needs attention.
Caring for your dentures
- Clean them twice daily with a denture brush and mild soap or a denture cleaner — not regular toothpaste, which is abrasive and scratches the surface.
- Clean over a basin of water or a folded towel. Dentures shatter easily on hard floors.
- Rinse after meals where you can.
- Take them out at night. Your gums need rest, and sleeping in dentures raises the risk of fungal infection and accelerates bone loss.
- Store them in water or denture solution overnight so the acrylic does not dry out and warp.
- Never use hot water, which distorts them permanently.
- Clean your mouth too — brush your gums, tongue and palate, and any remaining teeth, morning and night.
- Keep regular checkups. We check the fit, your gums and ridges, and screen the soft tissues — important even with no natural teeth left.
Relining, repairs and replacement
Your jawbone and gums keep changing shape after teeth are lost, so a denture that fitted perfectly will gradually loosen. This is normal and expected, not a fault.
- Relining — new material added to the fitting surface to match your changed ridge. Usually needed every two to three years.
- Rebasing — the entire base is remade while keeping the existing teeth.
- Repairs — cracked bases and broken or lost teeth can usually be repaired quickly.
- Replacement — most dentures need replacing after about five to eight years as the teeth wear and the fit deteriorates.
Please do not use DIY repair kits or household glue on a broken denture. They rarely hold, they distort the fit, and they can make a proper repair impossible. Bring it in — most repairs are quick and inexpensive.
Dentures, bridges or implants?
| Dentures | Bridge | Implants | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed or removable | Removable | Fixed | Fixed |
| Surgery needed | No | No | Yes |
| Time to complete | 2–4 weeks | ~2 weeks | 3–6 months |
| Preserves jawbone | No | No | Yes |
| Affects other teeth | Clasps rest on them | Must be trimmed | No |
| Relative cost | Lowest | Moderate | Highest upfront |
Dentures remain the most affordable and most widely applicable option, particularly when many teeth are missing. Adding two implants to stabilise a lower denture is often the best value compromise between cost and comfort.
Cost of dentures at Mera Dental
Cost depends on the type — acrylic partial, cast metal partial, flexible, complete, or implant-retained — and on the number of teeth being replaced. We explain the options with their pros, cons and prices, and give you the full cost before we start. EMI is available on larger treatment plans and your first consultation and X-ray are free. Call +91 98912 42043 for current pricing.
Why choose Mera Dental for dentures
- Time spent on fit and bite, which is what decides whether a denture is comfortable or lives in a drawer.
- A proper try-in stage so you approve the look before anything is finalised.
- Adjustments included — we expect to see you back for fine-tuning and we do not treat it as an inconvenience.
- Implant options in-house if you want a denture that never moves. Our periodontists and implantologists, Dr. Naseem Ashraf and Dr. Nishit Dikshit, can place the implants here — see our about us page.
- Honest pricing with no hidden extras, and EMI options.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get dentures?
Usually two to four weeks across four to five appointments, including impressions, bite registration, a try-in and fitting. Immediate dentures can be fitted the same day teeth are removed.
Will dentures look natural?
Yes. We select tooth shade, shape and arrangement to suit your face and age, and you see and approve everything at the wax try-in stage before the denture is finished.
How long do dentures take to get used to?
Typically two to four weeks. Expect extra saliva, a bulky feeling and some sore spots early on. Speech and eating improve steadily with practice.
Should I sleep with my dentures in?
No. Remove them at night so your gums can rest, and store them in water or denture solution. Sleeping in dentures increases the risk of fungal infection and speeds up bone loss.
Can I clean dentures with toothpaste?
Better not to — regular toothpaste is abrasive and scratches the acrylic, which traps stain and bacteria. Use a denture brush with mild soap or a proper denture cleaner.
Why has my denture become loose?
Because the gums and bone underneath change shape over time. A reline restores the fit, and is typically needed every two to three years.
Can I eat normally with dentures?
Most foods, yes, with practice. Start with soft foods cut into small pieces and chew on both sides. Very hard and very sticky foods remain difficult with conventional dentures — implant-retained dentures handle them far better.
My lower denture never stays put. What can be done?
Lower dentures are harder to stabilise because there is no palate for suction. Adding two implants to clip the denture onto usually solves it completely, and is the change patients are most delighted by.
Can my denture be repaired if it breaks?
Usually yes, and often quickly. Please do not attempt a home repair with glue — it distorts the fit and can make a professional repair impossible.
Do I still need dental checkups with full dentures?
Yes. We check the fit, examine your gums and ridges for sore spots or infection, and screen your mouth for other conditions. Once a year at minimum.
Book a denture consultation
Whether you need your first denture, a reline, a repair or a more stable implant-retained option, we will talk you through it honestly. Your first consultation and X-ray are free.
Call +91 98912 42043 or book online. Open Monday to Saturday 9 AM to 8 PM, Sunday 10 AM to 2 PM.