Solutions When All Teeth Are Missing in Turramurra

When all teeth are missing, the 2 main options are complete dentures and implant-supported full-arch teeth. Both rebuild your smile and your bite. Both can also lift the face and soften the look of ageing around the mouth. At Dental Specialists of Turramurra, our lead prosthodontist, Dr Anthony Au, plans both options under one roof through our Solutions When All Teeth Are Missing service.

This page is a plain guide. Short sentences. No jargon unless we explain it.

What does it mean to have no teeth?

Having no teeth (the medical term is edentulous) is more than a missing-tooth problem. It changes the face, the bite, the way you eat, and how you feel about your smile. The 5 most common effects are:

• The jawbone shrinks. The gum flattens, the lower face shortens.
• The lips fold in. Wrinkles around the mouth get deeper.
• Chewing is harder. Many people start avoiding meat, raw vegetables, and nuts.
• Speech changes. Some sounds, especially "f" and "s", are harder to make.
• Dentures that once fit well feel loose as the bone shrinks.

The right replacement plan gives you back your smile, your bite, and a big part of the support your face has lost.

What are my 2 main options?

Both are real, proven options. Most patients see a big improvement in their life with either one.

Option 1: Complete dentures

A complete denture is a full set of teeth set in a pink, gum-coloured base. The upper denture covers the roof of the mouth. The lower denture is shaped like a horseshoe to leave room for the tongue.

There are 2 main kinds:

• Conventional denture. Made after the gums have healed (usually 8 to 12 weeks after the last teeth are removed).
• Immediate denture. Placed on the same day the last teeth are taken out. Acts as a bandage while the gums heal. Often relined or replaced after healing.

How a complete denture is made at our practice

Our dentures are not one-size-fits-all. Dr Au uses a 3-stage impression technique (a way of taking moulds of the mouth in 3 careful steps) and a neutral-zone impression for the lower denture. This means the denture is shaped to match the way your lips, tongue, and cheeks naturally sit. It feels more stable and looks more natural.

We follow up at 1, 4, and 8 weeks after the denture is fitted to check the fit and make small adjustments.

Why choose complete dentures

• No surgery is needed.
• Lower upfront cost than implant options.
• Can be adjusted, relined, or remade as the mouth changes.

The trade-off

• They are removable. Some patients find this hard to get used to.
• They sit on the gum, so chewing power is lower than with implants.
• The bone under them still shrinks slowly over the years, so they need relining or replacing.

Option 2: Implant-supported full-arch teeth

An implant-supported full-arch is a fixed bridge of teeth that sits on 4 to 6 dental implants per jaw. The implants are small titanium screws placed into the jawbone. The teeth on top do not come out.

There are 3 common shapes:

• All-on-4 style. 4 implants per jaw, with the back implants placed at an angle to use the bone that is there.
• All-on-6 style. 6 implants per jaw. Used when more support is needed.
• Teeth-in-a-Day style. The implants and a temporary fixed bridge are placed on the same day as the extractions. You walk out with teeth.

Why choose implant-supported full-arch teeth

There are 4 strong reasons:

• The teeth are fixed in place. You do not take them out. You brush them like real teeth.
• Chewing power is much higher. Most patients go back to eating steak, apples, and corn on the cob.
• The bone is preserved around the implants. Your face keeps its shape for longer.
• The face looks younger. The teeth support the lips and cheeks the way natural teeth do.

The trade-off

• It involves surgery. Most patients say it is easier than they expected, but it is still surgery.
• The cost is higher upfront than complete dentures.
• It takes several months from first visit to final teeth, with try-in stages so you can see the shape before the final teeth are made.
• Not everyone is a candidate. You need enough bone, and you need to be in general good health.

The anti-ageing effect of full mouth treatment

Whether you choose dentures or implant-supported teeth, full mouth treatment almost always makes the face look younger. The 4 changes that matter most are:

• The lips get their support back. They look fuller and less folded in.
• The lower face lengthens back to its natural height. The chin-to-nose distance is restored.
• The cheeks fill out at the corners of the mouth.
• The deep wrinkles around the lips soften.

This is why we call our work anti-ageing complex restorative dental care. It works from the inside out, by giving the face back its lost support. You can read more about our approach on the Anti-ageing Complex Restorative Dental Care page.

How does Dr Au decide which option is best for me?

Dr Au looks at 5 things at your first visit:

• The shape of your jawbone. A 3D scan shows if there is enough for implants.
• Your gum health. Active gum disease must be treated first.
• Your general health. Some conditions affect surgery and healing.
• Your goals. Do you want a fixed result, or are you happy with removable dentures?
• Your budget. A long-term plan versus a short-term fix.

We then give you a written plan with the options, the steps, and the time each one takes. You do not have to decide on the day.

How long does full mouth treatment take?

• Complete dentures: 4 to 8 weeks from first visit to final set, plus follow-ups at 1, 4, and 8 weeks.
• Implant-supported full-arch: 4 to 9 months from first visit to final teeth, with most of that time being healing.

How much do these options cost?

Costs vary depending on the option, the number of implants, the materials, and any extra work needed (such as bone grafting). We do not publish prices. After your first visit we give a clear written quote.

You can spread the cost with Afterpay, DentiCare, or humm. We accept BUPA, Medibank, and other major health funds.

How do I book?

Call us on (02) 9488 7455 or visit us at Suite 1-2 / 1335 Pacific Highway, Turramurra NSW 2074. We are open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

What is comfort like during treatment?

Dr Au uses a computerised anaesthetic that numbs you drop by drop. No big needles. Most patients say they barely feel it. While we work, you can:

• Watch a DVD on a virtual reality headset.
• Have an aromatherapy eye pack placed over your eyes.
• Listen to music.
• Ask for premedication or inhalational analgesia if you feel anxious.

Afterward, we serve Italian espresso, tea, or a herbal infusion in our lounge.

Frequently Asked Questions