Full Dentures in Scarborough

Full dentures, also called complete dentures, are removable appliances that replace an entire arch of missing teeth. They can be made for the upper arch, the lower arch, or both, and they rest on the gums and the bone underneath. The teeth sit in a gum-coloured base shaped to fit the contours of your mouth, so you can chew again, speak more clearly, and smile with confidence.

People often look into full dentures after losing teeth to advanced gum disease, heavy decay, or injury, or when the remaining teeth are no longer healthy enough to keep. If you still have some natural teeth, partial dentures may suit you better. Everbright Smiles offers dentures at all five neighbourhood clinics across Scarborough and East York, and your dentist will assess which option fits your situation at a consultation.

Full dentures can suit a range of people, though your dentist confirms suitability during an exam. They are often considered by patients who:

• have lost all or nearly all of the teeth in one or both arches
• need remaining teeth removed because of severe decay or gum disease
• prefer a removable, non-surgical way to replace a full arch
• are looking for a more affordable route back to a working bite and a full smile

Tooth loss affects everyone differently, so your dentist will review your gums, bone, and overall oral health before recommending a treatment path.

Getting full dentures usually takes several visits so the fit and appearance can be refined along the way. A typical process looks like this:

1. Consultation and exam, where your dentist reviews your mouth, talks through your goals, and explains your options
2. Impressions or digital scans of your gums to create an accurate model
3. A try-in stage where the shape, colour, and bite of the trial denture are checked and adjusted
4. Fitting of the finished dentures, with guidance on wearing and caring for them
5. Follow-up adjustments to fine-tune comfort as your mouth settles

If teeth need to come out first, your dentist may suggest immediate dentures to wear during healing, or may recommend waiting until the gums have healed before the final set is made. Either approach can work, and your dentist will advise on what suits you.

New dentures take time to get used to. In the early days it is normal to notice extra saliva, a little soreness, or a sense that the dentures feel bulky. Those sensations usually ease as your mouth adapts, and minor adjustments can help.

A few practical tips make the transition smoother:

• Start with soft foods cut into small pieces, then work firmer foods back in
• Chew on both sides at once to help keep the denture stable
• Read aloud to get comfortable with speech, since certain sounds may feel different at first
• Use a denture adhesive if your dentist suggests one for added confidence
• Come back for an adjustment if a sore spot lingers, rather than trying to fix it yourself

Give yourself a few weeks. Most people find that eating and speaking feel more natural with practice.

Good daily care helps your dentures last and keeps your mouth healthy. Clean them over a folded towel or a basin of water so they are cushioned if they slip, and handle them gently.

• Rinse dentures after meals to clear away food debris
• Brush them daily with a soft denture brush and a non-abrasive cleaner, not regular toothpaste
• Soak them overnight in water or a denture solution so they do not dry out
• Brush your gums, tongue, and palate each day to support healthy tissue
• Keep your check-up appointments so your dentist can watch the fit and your oral health

Over time, the gums and bone beneath dentures change shape, which can loosen the fit. A reline reshapes the denture base to match your mouth again, and after several years of normal wear a denture may need to be remade. Your dentist will let you know when a reline or replacement makes sense.

Today's full dentures are designed to look natural, with tooth shapes, shades, and gum colouring chosen to suit your face and smile. Modern materials and techniques aim for a comfortable, lifelike result, though every mouth is different and outcomes vary from person to person.

If you want more stability, especially in the lower arch, it is worth talking about implant-supported dentures. These attach to a few dental implants placed in the jaw, which can reduce slipping and make chewing more comfortable. This route involves a surgical step and is not right for everyone.

Cost is a common concern, and many patients are covered through plans such as the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), ODSP, and Healthy Smiles, alongside private insurance. To talk through your options and what may be covered, book a consultation through our dentures page, and your dentist will assess the approach that fits you.