How long does it take to get used to new dentures?

It usually takes a few weeks to get used to new dentures. Some looseness, mild discomfort or a few sore spots while your mouth adapts is normal, and speaking and eating tend to feel more natural as the weeks go by. Follow-up appointments let your dentist adjust the fit until it feels comfortable, and dentures can last for years if they are looked after properly.

In short

• Most people take a few weeks to get used to a new denture, as the muscles of the mouth and cheeks adapt to it.
• Mild discomfort, a little looseness, or a few sore spots in the first weeks are normal and usually settle.
• Practising putting the denture in and out, reading aloud, and starting with softer food can all help.
• An immediate denture, fitted the same day teeth are removed, often needs adjusting again within about a year as the gum heals.
• Dentures can last for years with proper care, though the fit changes over time and needs periodic adjustment.

This article is part of the dentures information on this site for patients in Cape Town.

What is normal in the first few weeks?

A new denture can feel strange, bulky or loose to begin with, since your tongue, cheeks and lips need time to get used to it being there. Some mild discomfort, a little extra saliva, and a few sore spots are normal while your mouth adjusts, and this generally settles over the first few weeks. Speech can sound slightly different at first too, and reading aloud at home is a simple way to practise. Starting with softer foods, and chewing evenly on both sides of the mouth, tends to make eating easier while you adapt. If a sore spot does not ease, your dentist can adjust the denture at a follow-up appointment rather than you having to manage it alone.

What are immediate dentures?

An immediate denture is made and fitted on the same day that one or more teeth are removed, so you are not without teeth while the gum heals. This can mean a longer settling-in period, since the gum and the bone underneath continue to change shape for some months after an extraction, which affects how the denture fits. An immediate denture often needs adjusting, relining or replacing within about a year, once healing is complete and a longer-term fit can be made. Your dentist will talk you through what to expect for your own situation, since this varies from person to person.

How long does a denture take to make, and how long does it last?

Making a denture, described on the dentures service page, is not a single appointment. It usually involves a series of visits over several weeks, starting with an impression of your mouth, often followed by a wax trial so the fit and appearance can be checked, before the denture is finished by a dental laboratory. Once fitted, a denture can last for years if it is cleaned daily and looked after properly, although the fit is not fixed forever. Gums and jawbone continue to change shape gradually over time, so a denture that fit well when it was made may need adjusting, relining or eventually replacing. How often should you go to the dentist? covers how regular check-ups help catch this early.

What if my denture breaks or stops fitting well?

A denture is fragile and can crack or break if dropped, and the fit can also change gradually as your gums and jawbone reshape. What should I do if my denture breaks? sets out what to do if this happens. A denture that no longer fits well should not simply be left, since a poor fit can cause sore spots or make eating and speaking harder than they need to be.

How do I reach Dr Davies?

To have a new denture fitted, or an existing one checked and adjusted, call Dr Davies directly on her own mobile, which is shown on this page. You can also ask for an appointment through this site. The cost of dentures depends on the type you need, and reception can give you a written quotation after an examination. Dr Davies provides dentures at BRS Dental on Strand Street, in Cape Town City Centre, and this page gives general information rather than a substitute for your own follow-up appointments.