Complete Dentures Munich - Full Dentures | Dentist Christina Dickel

A complete denture — colloquially known as "false teeth" or full denture — is a removable dental prosthesis that restores a fully edentulous jaw. It replaces all teeth in the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both jaws simultaneously, restoring chewing function, speech, and aesthetics.

Beyond simply replacing teeth, the complete denture serves another important purpose: it supports the facial muscles and prevents the characteristic "sunken" appearance that occurs with tooth loss due to the reduction in vertical bite height. The lips regain fullness, the cheeks look natural, and the facial profile is harmoniously restored.

As a well-established form of treatment, the complete denture belongs to the standard repertoire of prosthetic dentistry. At our Munich practice, we fabricate individually fitted complete dentures that meet the highest functional and aesthetic standards.

The retention of a complete denture differs significantly between the upper and lower jaw — this is due to fundamentally different anatomical conditions.

Upper jaw denture: The palatal plate covers the entire hard palate, creating a large bearing surface. The suction effect between the denture and the palatal mucosa means the upper denture usually sits very securely — often even without any adhesive cream. The broad support distributes chewing forces evenly.

Lower jaw denture: In the lower jaw, the palatal surface is absent as a suction base. Instead, the tongue, floor of the mouth, and the mobile cheek mucosa significantly limit the available space. The bearing surface is much smaller, and constant tongue movement can destabilise the denture. For this reason, a lower denture almost always sits less firmly than an upper denture.

Why implants are especially beneficial in the lower jaw: Due to these anatomical challenges, lower jaw complete dentures benefit particularly from implant-supported retention. As few as two implants with locator or ball attachments can dramatically improve retention and fundamentally change the wearing experience.

The quality of a complete denture is largely determined by the materials used and the fabrication method. Modern dental technology offers considerably more options today than the standard treatment.

Denture base material — PMMA: The body of every complete denture is made from polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), a proven plastic with good biocompatibility and tissue tolerance. PMMA can be precisely processed and is available in various gum shades that ensure a natural appearance.

Denture teeth — stock teeth vs. premium teeth:

• Stock teeth: Standard acrylic teeth in prefabricated shapes and shades. They meet the functional requirements and are the standard treatment covered by insurance.
• Premium teeth: High-quality composite or ceramic teeth with a multi-layered structure, lifelike colour, and higher abrasion resistance. They offer a significantly more natural look and longer durability.

Fabrication methods:

• Compression moulding: The classic method — the acrylic is pressed into a plaster mould and polymerised under heat.
• Injection moulding: A more modern method with less shrinkage and better fit accuracy.
• Digital denture workflows: CAD/CAM fabrication from milled PMMA blocks — the highest precision, fewer porosities, and reproducible results.

Fabricating a complete denture requires several sequential steps and typically 4–6 appointments over a period of 3–6 weeks. Each step builds precisely on the previous one:

1. Preliminary impression: Using a stock impression tray, we take an initial impression of the edentulous jaw. Based on this, the laboratory fabricates a custom tray tailored exactly to your jaw anatomy.

2. Functional impression: With the custom tray and special impression materials, we create a highly precise functional impression. This captures the muscle attachments, vestibular folds, and individual mucosal characteristics — the foundation for the posterior palatal seal and denture retention.

3. Bite registration (jaw relation determination): Using wax rims, we determine the correct bite height, midline, smile line, and the spatial relationship between the upper and lower jaw. These measurements are critical for the function and aesthetics of the finished denture.

4. Wax try-in: The denture teeth are set in wax and tried in the mouth. You check the tooth arrangement, shade, lip support, and facial profile. At the same time, we test phonetics — certain sounds like "S" and "F" reveal whether the tooth positioning is correct. Changes are still easily possible at this stage.

5. Completion and fitting: After your approval, the denture is finalised in PMMA, finished, and polished to a high gloss. During fitting, we check the fit, occlusion, and retention and make initial fine adjustments.

6. Follow-up adjustments: In the first days and weeks, one or two follow-up appointments are typical to eliminate pressure sores and fine-tune the bite.

Secure retention is the central quality criterion for any complete denture. In the edentulous jaw, there are no natural retention options such as clasps — the denture must hold through physical principles and muscular equilibrium alone.

Posterior palatal seal (suction effect): The most important retention principle is the so-called posterior palatal seal. The denture borders seal tightly against the mobile oral mucosa, creating negative pressure between the denture base and the ridge. This suction effect holds the denture firmly in place — provided the functional impression was carried out precisely.

Differences upper vs. lower jaw: In the upper jaw, the suction effect is usually excellent thanks to the large palatal surface. In the lower jaw, the suction effect is significantly weaker due to the smaller bearing surface and tongue movement — here, muscular adaptation plays a greater role.

Adhesive cream — when is it acceptable? With a well-fitting denture, adhesive cream should not be necessary. In certain situations — such as a severely atrophied ridge, dry mouth, or during the adjustment period — a thin layer of adhesive can improve comfort. Adhesive cream is not a sign of a poor denture but should not serve as a permanent fix for an ill-fitting prosthesis.

Implant-supported overdenture — the upgrade: For significantly improved retention, dental implants can be used as anchoring elements. Proven systems include:

• Locator abutments: Compact snap-fit connections on 2–4 implants — easy to handle and low maintenance.
• Ball attachments: Classic retention elements with good holding force and proven long-term function.
• Bar construction: A metal bar connects 2–4 implants and provides maximum stability — particularly suited for severely atrophied jaws.

Adjusting to a complete denture is a process that requires patience and practice. First-time wearers in particular should be aware that the first days and weeks can be challenging — this is entirely normal.

The first days:

• Eating: Start with soft foods (soup, mashed potatoes, soft bread). Chew on both sides to avoid tipping the denture. Gradually increase the firmness of food over 2–3 weeks.
• Speaking: Certain sounds (S, Sh, Z, F) may sound unclear at first. Read aloud to train the tongue to adapt to the new denture. After 1–2 weeks, pronunciation usually improves significantly.

Common initial complaints:

• Pressure sores: Redness or sore spots on the mucosa are normal in the first few days. Come in promptly for adjustment — we selectively relieve the denture.
• Increased saliva flow: The mouth reacts to the foreign body with increased saliva production. This settles on its own within a few days.
• Gag reflex: With a sensitive palate, the upper denture may initially trigger a gag reflex. Breathe calmly through your nose, suck on sweets — the reflex typically subsides.

Tips for more confidence: Wear the denture consistently — even if it feels uncomfortable at first. Only through regular wearing will the muscles and mucosa adapt to the new prosthesis. Avoid constantly removing and reinserting the denture.

When to see your dentist: Pressure sores that do not resolve on their own after 2–3 days should be corrected at the practice. Do not attempt to modify the denture yourself — a professional adjustment takes only a few minutes and provides immediate relief.

Complete dentures are part of the standard treatment covered by statutory health insurance — meaning the insurer pays a diagnosis-related fixed subsidy for the restoration of an edentulous jaw.

Standard treatment: The standard restoration for complete edentulism is a basic complete denture made from PMMA with stock teeth. The fixed subsidy covers the majority of the costs, so the out-of-pocket cost is 0–300 € — depending on the insurer and bonus booklet.

Premium options: If you opt for higher-quality denture teeth (e.g. multi-layered composite or ceramic teeth), customised gum aesthetics, or more sophisticated fabrication methods, the fixed subsidy remains the same — you bear the additional costs yourself.

Bonus booklet: The bonus booklet is relevant for denture wearers too — regular check-up appointments increase the fixed subsidy:

• +20% after 5 years of consistent check-ups
• +30% after 10 years of consistent check-ups

Relining and repairs: Since the jawbone in the edentulous jaw undergoes continuous resorption, a complete denture requires relining (rebasing) every 2–4 years to optimise the fit. The cost of relining is subsidised by insurance, with an out-of-pocket cost of approximately 30–80 €.

Treatment and cost plan: Before treatment begins, we prepare a detailed treatment and cost plan that you submit to your insurer. This way, you know your out-of-pocket costs exactly — plan preparation and the initial consultation are of course free of charge.

At our dental practice in Munich-Oberfoehring, we fabricate complete dentures with the commitment that removable dental prostheses must be convincing both functionally and aesthetically. Dr. Christina Dickel combines prosthetic expertise with a compassionate treatment approach — especially important for patients receiving a full denture for the first time.

What sets our practice apart:

• Prosthetic experience: Dr. Dickel has extensive experience in complete denture fabrication and regularly pursues continuing education in modern techniques and materials.
• Master laboratory: Close collaboration with our master dental laboratory enables customised tooth arrangement, natural gum aesthetics, and the highest fit accuracy.
• Implant consultation included: For every complete denture patient, we assess whether an implant-supported solution is advisable and feasible — objectively and without sales pressure.
• CBCT 3D imaging: State-of-the-art three-dimensional imaging is available for implant planning and jawbone assessment.
• Sedation options: For anxious patients, we offer nitrous oxide and oral sedation — ensuring even more extensive treatments remain stress-free.

Book a free initial consultation — we take the time to answer your questions and show you all available options.