Most people do not get to choose between a full and a partial denture. If a jaw still has some healthy teeth, the plan is nearly always a partial denture built around them. A full denture is for an arch where no teeth are left, or where the remaining teeth cannot be kept.
The more useful decisions come after that: which material, what it may cost, and whether implants could help it stay in place.
A partial denture leans on the teeth you still have
A partial denture fills the gaps in an arch and holds on to the natural teeth around them, usually with small clasps. Those teeth give it something firm to grip and rest on, so a partial tends to move less than a full denture. It also helps stop neighbouring teeth tipping or drifting into the gaps, and opposite teeth growing down into them.
Because the remaining teeth carry part of the load, they need to be healthy. Decay or gum disease around them is usually treated first, and cleaning around the clasps becomes part of the daily routine. Dentists generally try to keep sound teeth rather than remove them just to fit a full denture.
A full denture rests on gum and bone alone
A full (complete) denture replaces every tooth in the upper or lower jaw and sits on the gums over the bone. The upper one covers the roof of the mouth, which gives it a suction seal. The lower one is horseshoe-shaped, has a smaller area to sit on and has the tongue moving against it, which is why loose lower dentures are such a common complaint.
A full denture can be made after the gums have healed from any extractions, or fitted on the day the last teeth come out. Our guide to immediate dentures explains how that second option works and why it needs follow-up visits.
Materials change how each type feels
| Option | Built from | Strengths | Drawbacks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylic (full or partial) | Pink acrylic base with acrylic teeth | Lowest cost; easy to reline, repair or add a tooth to | Thicker; a partial covers more gum |
| Cobalt chrome partial | Thin cast metal frame with acrylic and teeth | Slim, rigid, rests on the teeth as well as the gums | Metal clasps may show; more lab work |
| Flexible partial | Nylon-type thermoplastic | No metal; gum-coloured clasps | Hard to reline or add to; can roughen and stain |
| Implant-retained (snap-in) | A denture fitted with attachments that clip onto implants | Much steadier, especially for a lower full denture | Needs implant surgery and enough bone |
For a closer look at the partial options, see flexible, acrylic and chrome partial dentures compared. For the implant option, see our guide to implant-retained overdentures.
Typical costs for full and partial dentures
Consumer price surveys from Canstar and Compare the Market in 2025 put a full denture for one arch at about $1,000 to $5,000, and a partial denture at about $600 to $2,800. Cobalt chrome partials usually sit at the upper end of the partial range. These are typical market ranges, not Lumi Dental fees, and they leave out extractions and other work done first. Our denture cost guide breaks the figures down by type and item number.
The first weeks with either type
New dentures feel large at first, and the cheeks, lips and tongue take a little while to learn to hold them. Soft food cut into small pieces is easier early on, and reading aloud at home helps speech settle. Sore spots are common in the first days, and a short adjustment visit usually fixes them.
Brush the denture morning and night with a denture brush or spare toothbrush and a non-abrasive cleaner such as liquid hand soap (not toothpaste), and take it out overnight. The gums and bone keep changing shape after teeth are lost, so a denture that fits well today may need a reline later. Our guide to denture care and relines explains when that is needed.
Fixed alternatives to a denture
Dentures are removable. A bridge or implants are fixed in place and cost more. For one or two missing teeth, a bridge or an implant is often considered before a partial denture. For a whole arch, implants can either hold a removable denture or carry a fixed bridge. Our comparison of implants, bridges and dentures sets the options side by side.
Common questions
Can I have a partial denture for one missing tooth?
Yes, though a bridge or an implant is often preferred for a single gap. A partial makes more sense when several teeth are missing, or as a temporary option while other treatment is planned.
Will my partial denture still fit if I lose another tooth?
An acrylic partial, and many chrome partials, can usually have a tooth added. Flexible partials are harder to modify and may need remaking.
Can a full denture be made more secure later?
Often, yes. If there is enough bone, implants can be placed and the denture fitted with attachments that clip onto them.
Should I sleep in my denture?
The Australian Dental Association advises taking dentures out at night so the gums can rest and recover.
Getting the right type for your mouth
The team at Lumi Dental can check your remaining teeth and gums and explain which denture types would suit. You will usually receive a written treatment plan, often by email. See our current deals or contact us to arrange a visit.
This article is general information and not a substitute for an individual dental assessment.
