2026-09-11

Dentures Explained: Types, Costs, and Settling In

A dentist holding an upper and lower denture model with a dental probe

A Straight Guide to Dentures: Types, Costs and What the First Few Weeks Are Like

If you're facing dentures, or helping a parent who is, here's a clear guide to the types, what they cost in Australia, and what the first few weeks are really like.

Dentures have quietly improved a lot over the years, but they still come with plenty of questions and a fair bit of anxiety. Will they look natural? Will I be able to eat? How much do they cost? This is a straightforward guide to what dentures are, the choices involved, and how to settle in with a minimum of fuss.

What dentures are

Dentures are removable replacements for missing teeth. They're custom-made to fit your mouth, usually from acrylic, sometimes with a lightweight metal frame for strength. Good modern dentures are made to look like natural teeth, and they do real work: they help you chew and eat properly, make speaking easier, and support your lips and cheeks so your face keeps its natural shape. Missing teeth aren't only a cosmetic issue, so replacing them matters for eating well and for confidence.

The main types

Full (complete) dentures replace all the teeth in the upper jaw, the lower jaw, or both. They rest on the gums and, in the upper jaw, are supported by the roof of the mouth.
Partial dentures are for when you still have some natural teeth. They fill the gaps and clip onto the remaining teeth with small clasps, which means those teeth and gums need to be healthy enough to support them.
Immediate dentures are fitted on the same day your teeth are removed, so you're never without teeth. Because your gums and bone change shape as they heal, an immediate denture usually needs relining or adjusting over the following months.

Dentures can be made from acrylic or with a thin cobalt-chrome metal frame, and whoever makes yours will talk you through which suits your situation. There are also implant-retained dentures for extra stability, though we don't offer implants here and would refer you on if that's what you were after.

What dentures cost in Australia

As with most dentistry, there's no fixed price, and fees vary between practices and cities (Melbourne tends to sit at the higher end). Treat these as indicative and always get an itemised quote:

A full denture: roughly $2,000–$5,000 per arch, so a full upper-and-lower set is more again.
A partial denture: roughly $750–$2,800, with simple acrylic partials at the lower end and metal-framed ones higher.

These figures usually don't include consultations, follow-up adjustments, or any extractions you might need first, so your total depends on your situation. Medicare doesn't cover dentures for adults, though eligible concession-card holders can access public dental in Victoria through Oral Health Victoria and the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne. If you have private extras cover, dentures generally fall under "major dental," which often has a waiting period, a set limit, and only covers a replacement every few years. It's worth checking your limits before you start.

The first few weeks: settling in

Be kind to yourself here, because new dentures take some getting used to, sometimes a few weeks to a few months. A new denture can feel a bit uncomfortable at first, much like a new pair of shoes. They may feel bulky or loose while your cheeks, tongue and lips learn to manage them, and you might produce more saliva than usual for a little while. A denture can rub and create a sore spot, don't tough it out, come back in for a quick adjustment, because that's a normal part of the process, not a failure. Eating is a skill you rebuild too: start with soft foods, take small pieces, chew slowly, and gradually work back up, and speech takes practice, with reading aloud at home for a few days helping your mouth adapt. If things aren't improving after a couple of weeks, tell us. Small adjustments make a big difference.

Looking after your dentures

Clean them daily, taking them out and brushing all surfaces with a soft or denture brush and mild soap or denture cleaner, not regular toothpaste, which is abrasive. Handle them over water or a folded towel so they don't break if dropped, and rinse with cool water, never hot, since heat can warp the fit. Take them out at night to rest your gums, keep brushing any remaining natural teeth and cleaning your gums and tongue, and keep seeing your dentist even with a full set, so we can check the fit and screen your mouth for anything that needs attention.

Repairs, relines, and please don't reach for the superglue

Your mouth keeps changing as the years pass, and the gum and bone underneath a denture slowly shrink, which is why dentures need relining from time to time and generally need replacing every few years. If a denture cracks or suddenly feels loose, resist the very tempting urge to fix it with household superglue. It isn't safe for your mouth, won't hold in a wet environment, and often turns an easy repair into a full remake. See a dentist or dental prosthetist instead, most repairs are quicker and cheaper than people expect.

If you're facing dentures, or your current set has seen better days, come and talk it through with us in Kew. We take our time, we welcome all health funds with HICAPS at the chair, and we're open Saturdays. Book at stradbrokedental.com.au or call (03) 9817 7123.