The best complete dentures are not those made from the most expensive materials, but those that fit most precisely to the condition of a specific arch. With a well-preserved ridge and adequate saliva flow, a quality acrylic denture can hold stable through adhesion and suction. When bone is significantly resorbed (thinned and receded), stability usually comes only from a denture supported on implants. The choice depends on ridge height, saliva quantity, eating habits, and budget, so the “best” denture is always determined individually, on examination.
What are complete dentures?
Complete dentures are removable prostheses that replace all teeth in one or both arches in a person with no remaining natural teeth. They rest directly on the gums and bony ridge, and the patient places and removes them themselves. This restores the ability to chew, clearer speech, and support to soft tissues, which without teeth sag and create an impression of a face that looks older than it actually is.
Complete toothlessness in the profession is called edentulism. It results from advanced periodontitis (inflammatory disease of the tooth support apparatus), multiple untreatable cavities or earlier injuries, and the jaw bone gradually diminishes after tooth loss. This bone loss (resorption) is why the denture begins to move over time, and why facial appearance changes years after extraction.
Upper and lower complete dentures do not look the same, because the conditions in the two arches are not the same. The upper denture’s base covers the entire palate and thus creates a vacuum that holds it in place, so it is typically more stable. The lower denture is horseshoe-shaped to leave space for the tongue, rests on considerably less surface area, and more often causes problems with stability, especially when the ridge is low.
What types of complete dentures exist?
Complete dentures differ primarily by the material of the base and whether they hold by themselves or with the help of implants. This difference determines how stable they are, how long they last, and who they are suitable for.
What is an acrylic complete denture?
An acrylic denture is the classic and most common variant, made from pink acrylic material that mimics gum tissue, with factory-made teeth embedded in it. It is placed over the gums and held by seating and suction. The advantage is affordable price and the fact that it is easy to reline and repair in the laboratory. The disadvantage is that the base is thicker and can crack over time if dropped.
What is a complete denture with a metal base?
A complete denture with a metal base is a denture reinforced with an internal metal skeleton (hence the name skeletal denture). The metal construction makes the base significantly thinner, stronger, and more resistant to fracture, and on the upper denture part of the palate can remain less covered, so wearing is more comfortable and affects taste less. It is more durable than purely acrylic, with a somewhat higher price.
What is a complete silicone (flexible) denture?
When patients say “silicone denture” they almost always mean a flexible denture made of soft thermoplastic material, which is actually not silicone but flexible nylon material (type Valplast or Thermosens). For partial dentures this material is excellent, because it is discreet and without metal clasps. For a completely edentulous arch the story is different: a flexible base lacks the rigidity needed to evenly transfer chewing forces, is difficult to reline, and can accelerate bone loss, so it is rarely recommended for complete dentures as a permanent solution. When the ridge is painful or severely thinned, a soft silicone lining on an acrylic denture often makes more sense than an entire denture of flexible material.
What is a complete denture on implants?
When no denture stands stable due to a low ridge, the solution is dental implants as support. On two to four implants, attachments (locators) are placed, to which the denture on implants “clicks” and thus does not move during speech and eating, but the patient can still remove it. When a patient wants a denture that cannot be removed at all, the solutions are All-on-4 and All-on-6. Implants also slow bone loss, because they again transfer chewing forces to the jaw.
| Type of denture | Base material | Stability | Bone preservation | Durability | Best suited for |
| Acrylic | Acrylic | Good with preserved ridge | Does not prevent resorption | Moderate | Patients for whom price is decisive |
| With metal base | Acrylic + metal skeleton | Very good | Does not prevent resorption | High | Those who want a thinner and stronger denture |
| Silicone (flexible) | Thermoplastic nylon | Weaker for edentulous arch | Can accelerate loss | Lower for complete | Mostly for partial, not complete |
| On implants | Acrylic + implants | Excellent | Slows resorption | Very high | Low ridge and those who want security |
Which is the best complete denture?
The best complete denture is one that suits the condition of your arch, not the one that is the most expensive or made from the most modern material. For someone with a well-preserved ridge and normal saliva quantity, that could be a quality denture with a metal base that holds stable on its own. For someone with significantly receded lower jaw bone, the same such denture will be a constant problem, so the best solution for them is a denture supported on implants.
That is why the choice starts from an examination and imaging, not from a price list. What decisively affects the decision comes down to several factors:
- Ridge height and shape – a low, receded ridge poorly holds a classic denture, especially a lower one.
- Saliva quantity – the vacuum of the upper denture depends on moist mucosa, so dry mouth reduces adhesion.
- Condition of the opposite arch and bite – strong pressure from opposing teeth more quickly loosens a denture that is not well supported.
- Eating habits – if hard and sticky food is consumed daily, stability becomes more important than price.
- Budget and expectations – realistically set expectations save both time and disappointment.
For a lower edentulous arch the profession has a clear guideline. According to the McGill Consensus, a lower denture supported on just two implants is considered the minimum care standard, because a classic lower denture in most people simply too much “moves around.” An upper denture usually holds satisfactorily even without implants, thanks to the vacuum over the palate.
How is a complete denture made?
A complete denture is made through several visits during which impressions are taken, bite is determined, and a try-in is done, and only at the end is the finished denture delivered. The actual fabrication is painless and takes place partly in the office and partly in the dental laboratory.
The process goes in this order:
- First impressions and examination – an impression of the arch is taken and the condition of the ridge and mucosa is assessed.
- Precise (functional) impressions – using an individual tray, the exact shape of the denture bed is recorded.
- Bite determination – the correct relationship of the arches and facial height is established, which decisively affects esthetics and chewing.
- Wax try-in – the denture with teeth positioned is tried in the mouth to check appearance, color, and bite before completion.
- Delivery and adjustments – the finished denture is placed, areas that press are ground, and instructions for wearing are given.
For patients having teeth extracted there are two options. A conventional denture is made only after tissue heals completely, which sometimes takes months. Another option is an immediate denture, which is placed right after extraction, so the patient is without teeth for fewer days, with later relining as the ridge changes during healing.
The healing wait time can be shortened. By using PRF preparation, which is obtained from a small amount of the patient’s blood and accelerates bone and soft tissue renewal, the period until a permanent denture is made is reduced to just two to three weeks.
How long does it take to adapt to a complete denture?
Adaptation to a complete denture usually takes from a few weeks to two to three months, depending on whether the patient has previously worn a denture and how the mucosa reacts. The denture is initially a foreign body, so a feeling of fullness in the mouth, increased saliva flow, and insecurity when speaking are completely expected and temporary.
Speech adapts first and sharpens within a week or two, faster if you read aloud. Chewing requires more patience: it begins with soft food cut into small pieces, chewed on both sides simultaneously so the denture does not tip, and harder food is introduced gradually as muscles learn to hold the denture. With a lower denture, confidence comes more slowly than with an upper one, because it rests on less surface area.
Sore spots in the first days are not a failure, but a sign that the fit needs adjustment somewhere, so the rule is that pain should not be tolerated and the denture should not be adjusted by yourself. A few minor adjustments in the office usually solves the problem, and for patients with fear of procedures the adjustment can be done with inhalation sedation, which relaxes without complete anesthesia.
How is a complete denture maintained?
A complete denture is maintained by daily cleaning after meals, keeping it moist when not worn, and regular check-ups at the office. Deposits and food debris on the denture cause unpleasant odor, mucosa inflammation, and fungal infections, so denture hygiene directly protects the health of the mouth beneath it.
Several habits keep the denture clean and in good condition:
- Rinsing after each meal – the denture is rinsed and brushed with a soft toothbrush, without aggressive toothpastes because they scratch acrylic.
- Removal during the night – the mucosa needs rest from pressure, and the denture is kept overnight in a glass of water or denture solution so it does not dry out and deform.
- Mouth cleaning – gums, palate, and tongue are gently massaged with a soft brush to improve circulation.
- Regular check-ups – once a year the fit and condition of the mucosa are checked, even when there are no complaints.
Over time, loosening also occurs, but this is most often not due to denture damage. The jaw bone naturally diminishes, so a gap forms between the denture and the ridge. Then a reline (rebasing) is done, adding a new layer of material to the inside of the denture so it fits precisely again. If the denture is cracked or a tooth has fallen out, acrylic variants are easily repaired in the laboratory.
How much does a complete denture cost?
The price of a complete denture depends on the base material, type of denture, and whether it rests on gums or on implants. A conventional acrylic denture is most affordable, a denture with a metal base is somewhat higher due to skeleton fabrication, and the highest costs are for dentures on implants, where the denture price is added to the cost of the implants themselves.
The final amount is also affected by accompanying procedures before fabrication. If extraction of remaining teeth, mucosa treatment, or relining during healing is needed, that is included in the overall treatment plan. That is why the real price cannot be given “at a glance,” but only after an examination and imaging, when the ridge condition is visible and when it is known what type of denture makes sense.
You can see precise amounts for each variant in the price list, and the most accurate estimate for your case you get at the examination.