Dentures in Sharjah
Medically reviewed by Dar Al Kamal Team
What are dentures?
Dentures are removable false teeth set into a gum-coloured base that rests over the gums and, in a lower denture, around the tongue. They replace teeth that have been lost and restore the ability to chew and speak, and they support the lips and cheeks that sink inwards where teeth are missing.
There are two main kinds. A full denture replaces all the teeth in the upper jaw, the lower jaw, or both, and rests directly on the gums. A partial denture replaces some missing teeth while natural teeth remain, clipping or resting against those teeth to hold its place and fill the gaps between them. Which kind suits you depends on how many teeth are missing and where they sit, and your dentist will match the design to your mouth.
Who needs them
Dentures are for people who have lost several teeth or all of their teeth and want to restore chewing, speech and the shape of the face. Teeth are lost to decay, to gum disease, to injury, or are removed for the health of the mouth, and the gap left behind can make eating harder and allow the remaining teeth to drift.
They are one way to replace missing teeth, alongside bridges and implants. Dentures are often the practical choice where many teeth are gone, where the gums and bone favour a base that rests on them, or where a removable option is preferred. Your dentist will look at your mouth and explain which options apply to you.
What happens
Fitting a denture is done over several visits, each one building on the last. It begins with an examination of your gums and any remaining teeth, and sometimes an X-ray, to check what the denture will rest on. Where teeth still need removing, the gums are usually given time to heal first so the denture sits on a settled ridge.
Impressions are then taken of your gums and jaws, so the denture is shaped to your mouth. From these, the shade and shape of the teeth are chosen with you, and a trial denture is often tried in so you can see how it looks and sits before it is finished. The finished denture is then fitted and checked against your bite.
Almost every new denture benefits from fine-tuning. Small sore spots are normal in the early days and are eased by trimming the base where it presses, so a follow-up visit or two to settle the fit is a planned part of the process. Your dentist welcomes you back to make those adjustments until the denture feels right.
Preparing for it
For the first assessment, come as you are and bring any older denture you have, even a spare one, as it helps guide the new one. Where teeth are being removed as part of the plan, your dentist will tell you what to expect and how long the gums may need to heal before impressions are taken.
Tell your dentist about your general health and any medicines you take, particularly anything that affects healing or leaves the mouth dry, as this guides how the denture is designed for comfort and fit. You are free to eat and drink as usual before impressions or a fitting.
Living with dentures
New dentures feel full and unfamiliar at first, and this settles as your mouth learns them. Start with soft foods cut small, chew on both sides at once to keep the denture stable, and add firmer foods as you grow used to it. Speech settles within a short while, and reading aloud at home helps your tongue and lips adjust.
Clean dentures over a basin of water or a soft towel so they stay safe if dropped. Brush them daily with a soft brush and soap or a denture cleaner, which keeps the surface smooth, and rinse them after meals. Take them out overnight unless told otherwise, and keep them in water so they stay moist and hold their shape. Clean your gums, tongue and any natural teeth as well.
Contact the clinic if a sore spot lingers past the first few days, if the denture rubs a raw patch, if it loosens or cracks, or if you notice redness or soreness of the gums beneath it. These are all fixable at a follow-up visit, and the team would rather see you early and put a hurting denture right.
Keeping the fit comfortable over time
A denture and your mouth work best as a partnership that is kept up over the years. The gums and bone beneath a denture gradually change shape, so a denture that once fitted snugly can ease looser with time. This is expected, and there is a straightforward answer for it: the dentist relines the denture to refit the base to the changed gums, or remakes it when a fresh start gives the better fit. Regular check-ups let the dentist catch these changes early and keep the denture stable and comfortable.
Where you would like a firmer, more secure result, implants can be used to anchor a denture so it stays put while you eat and speak. Your dentist will raise this option where it suits your mouth, and it sits alongside dentures rather than replacing the value they offer.
Cost and insurance
Dental cover in the UAE varies from policy to policy, and dentures may be partly covered, fully covered, or capped depending on your plan. Many plans treat tooth replacement as a separate category from routine dental care. Ask for a written treatment plan setting out the stages and what each involves before starting, and our team will help you confirm what your insurance covers on 06 599 7777.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between full and partial dentures?
A full denture replaces all the teeth in a jaw and rests on the gums, used where a whole arch is missing. A partial denture replaces some teeth while others stay in place, resting or clipping against the remaining teeth to fill the gaps between them. Your dentist chooses the design that matches your mouth.
How long does it take to get dentures?
Dentures are made over several visits, each building towards the final fit. The process involves an examination, impressions of the gums and jaws, choosing the shade and shape of the teeth, and a fitting, followed by one or two visits to adjust the fit. Where teeth need removing first, the gums are allowed to heal before impressions are taken, and your dentist keeps you comfortable through each stage.
Do dentures hurt?
Some soreness and small sore spots are common when a denture is new, as the gums adjust to it. These are eased by trimming the base where it presses at a follow-up visit. Where soreness lingers past the first few days, or a spot rubs raw, the dentist checks and adjusts the denture so it settles comfortably.
Can I eat normally with dentures?
Eating comes with practice. Start with soft foods cut into small pieces, chew on both sides at once to keep the denture steady, and add firmer foods as you get used to it. A lower denture takes a little more practice, and most people manage a full range of foods with time; your dentist adjusts the fit and coaches you through the change.
Will my dentures move while I eat or speak?
New dentures, and lower dentures in particular, can shift a little at first while the muscles of the cheeks and tongue learn to hold them. This steadies as you practise, and chewing on both sides at once keeps the denture stable. Where extra security matters to you, the dentist refines the fit and can discuss implant-anchored options that hold a denture firmly in place.
Do dentures feel like natural teeth?
Dentures restore chewing, speech and the shape of the face, and they feel more familiar each week as your mouth learns them. They have their own character, and many people wear them with confidence for everyday life. Your dentist shapes and adjusts the denture so it feels comfortable and works well for you.
How do I clean my dentures?
Brush them daily with a soft brush and soap or a denture cleaner, which keeps the surface smooth, and rinse them after meals. Clean them over water so they stay safe if dropped, take them out overnight unless told otherwise, and keep them in water. Clean your gums, tongue and any remaining natural teeth too, and your dentist will show you a routine that suits your denture.
Why do dentures become loose over time, and what is done about it?
The gums and bone beneath a denture gradually change shape over the years, so a denture that once fitted snugly can ease looser. This is expected and reflects the natural mouth rather than a fault in the denture. The dentist corrects it by relining the base to refit the changed gums, or by remaking the denture where a fresh one gives the better fit, keeping it comfortable long term.
Can I keep wearing an old denture I no longer use?
An older denture, even a spare, is worth bringing to your first visit, as it helps guide the shape and bite of the new one. Your dentist uses it as a reference and then makes a fresh denture matched to your mouth today, so you move to a fit that suits your gums as they are now.
How do dentures compare with implants?
They are different options that each suit different mouths. Dentures are removable and work well in many situations, including where a base that rests on the gums is the practical choice. Implants are fixed in the jaw and can also anchor a denture for a firmer result. Which suits you depends on your mouth, and your dentist will explain both and help you choose.
Should I take my dentures out at night?
Usually yes, unless your dentist advises otherwise. Leaving them out overnight rests the gums and lets them recover from the day. The dentures are kept in water while out so they stay moist and hold their shape, and your dentist will confirm the routine that is right for you.
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