Dentures in Turkey: Complete, Partial, Immediate and Implant Options

A denture is a removable set of replacement teeth fixed in a base that looks like gum. It replaces missing teeth, and in many cases part of the gum and bone that has shrunk after the teeth were lost, so that you can chew, speak and smile with confidence again. Dentures are often called false teeth, and people searching online also describe them as false dentures or removable dentures; all of these terms describe the same idea.

There are two broad groups. Complete dentures replace all the teeth in the upper jaw, the lower jaw or both, and rest on the gums. Partial dentures fill the gaps when some healthy natural teeth remain, and hold on to those teeth to stay in place. Within these groups, immediate dentures are fitted on the same day that teeth are removed, so you are never without teeth, and implant-retained overdentures, often called snap-on dentures, clip onto a small number of dental implants for extra stability while still being removable. Fixed teeth on implants, which are not taken out at home, are a separate treatment described on our implant-supported dentures page.

Getting dentures in Turkey follows the same principles as anywhere else. What makes a denture comfortable is careful records of your mouth, a try-in before the denture is finished and patient adjustment after it is fitted. This guide explains how dentures stay in place, which types are available at our clinic in Istanbul, who they suit, how they are made, what affects the cost and how to live with them day to day.

A denture is built in layers that work together. The denture teeth are the part you see and bite with. They are set in an acrylic base, usually tinted to match your gums, which spreads the chewing force over as wide an area as possible. Under the base are your gums, and under the gums is the jawbone ridge that used to hold your natural teeth. The better the base fits the gum and the ridge, the more comfortable and stable the denture feels.

An upper complete denture covers the roof of the mouth. A thin film of saliva between the base and the palate creates suction, and the muscles of the cheeks and tongue help to hold it, which is why most people find an upper denture reasonably stable. A lower complete denture sits on a narrower, horseshoe-shaped ridge with the tongue in the middle, so it has much less surface to grip and usually moves more. This is one of the most common reasons patients ask about implant-retained options.

Partial dentures add another way of staying in place: small clasps or precision parts hold on to the natural teeth next to the gaps. Snap-on overdentures add attachments that click onto implants in the jawbone, which gives the denture something firm to hold on to.

After teeth are lost, the jawbone ridge gradually changes shape. Because the denture was made for the ridge as it was, the fit slowly becomes less exact, and the denture may need relining or remaking over the years. The illustration below shows the layers from the teeth down to the bone.

Most people do not start by looking for a denture. They start with a problem, and a denture is one of the ways to solve it. The most common situations are:

• All the teeth in a jaw are missing. A complete denture replaces the whole set of teeth in the upper or lower jaw and restores the support for your lips and cheeks.
• Several teeth are missing. A partial denture fills the gaps, helps you chew on both sides and stops the remaining teeth from drifting or tipping into the spaces.
• Teeth that cannot be saved. When teeth are broken down, very loose because of gum disease or badly infected, they may need to be removed. An immediate denture can be fitted on the same day, so you do not leave the clinic without teeth.
• An old denture that no longer fits. Loose or ill-fitting dentures that slip, click or cause sore spots are one of the most frequent reasons patients contact us. An old denture can often be relined, remade or combined with implants.
• When implants are not the right choice. Some patients prefer a removable option, and for others the bone, general health or budget make a denture the more suitable first step.

An examination shows which of these applies to you. Sometimes the answer is not a denture at all: a single missing tooth, for example, may be better replaced with an implant or a bridge.

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Two problems lead to most denture treatments: missing teeth, whether a few or all of them, and an existing denture that has become loose or uncomfortable. Both are explained on their own pages, including the causes and every option for treating them.

Almost anyone who has lost some or all of their teeth can be considered for a denture, and dentures are often chosen when implants are not possible or not wanted. Whether a particular type suits you depends on several practical factors, which your dentist checks during the examination:

• Healthy gums. Inflamed or infected gums should be treated before a denture is made, because the base rests on them and needs healthy tissue underneath.
• The condition of the remaining teeth. For a partial denture, the teeth that hold the clasps must be strong, free of decay and firmly anchored. Weak teeth may need treatment, or a different design may be planned.
• The shape of the jaw ridge. A broad, well-rounded ridge supports a denture better than a thin or flat one. Where the ridge has shrunk a lot, especially in the lower jaw, implant-retained options are often discussed.
• Saliva. A dry mouth reduces suction and can make dentures feel sore. Some medicines cause dry mouth, so tell your dentist what you take.
• General health and healing. If teeth need to be removed before an immediate denture, your medical history is reviewed to make sure extractions and healing are safe.
• A strong gag reflex. Some people find a full upper palate difficult at first. The design can sometimes be adapted, and implant-retained options may reduce the amount of palate that needs covering.
• Realistic expectations. A denture restores appearance and function well, but it is not the same as natural teeth. Knowing that a lower denture usually moves more than an upper one helps you decide whether you want extra stability from implants.

If you are not sure which option fits, send us photos of your teeth or your current denture and any recent X-rays for a free online consultation.

The right denture depends mainly on how many natural teeth you still have, whether any teeth need to be removed and how much stability you need, especially in the lower jaw. The guide below is a starting point; your dentist confirms the choice after examining your mouth and X-rays.

Denture prices depend on several choices, so we give you a personal quote rather than a single figure. The main factors are:

• The type of denture. A complete, partial, immediate or implant-retained denture each involves different work and a different number of appointments.
• The material. An acrylic denture, a flexible partial denture and a metal-framework partial denture are made differently and are priced differently.
• One jaw or both. Replacing the teeth in both the upper and lower jaw involves two dentures.
• Treatment needed first. Extractions, gum treatment or fillings on the remaining teeth are added only if they are clinically required.
• Implants. A snap-on overdenture also includes the implants and attachments, which are planned on a CBCT scan.

Our dentists review your photos and X-rays at a free online consultation and send a written treatment plan with the price before you travel. Any change after the examination at the clinic is explained and agreed with you before treatment begins. Current prices for implants, extractions and other treatments are listed on our price page.

Dental implants vs dentures is one of the most common questions at a consultation, and the honest answer is that there are three options rather than two. A conventional removable denture rests on the gums, needs no surgery and can usually be made in a single trip, but it can move, especially in the lower jaw, and the bone under it continues to change. A snap-on overdenture is still removable, but it clips onto implants, so it is far more stable and needs fewer implants than a fixed option. Fixed teeth on implants are not taken out at home and feel closest to natural teeth, but they need more implants, enough bone and a longer treatment. The choice depends on your bone, your health, how you feel about surgery and your budget, and your dentist explains the options that apply to you.

A comfortable denture starts with a careful look at the mouth it will sit in.

Denture treatment is planned around comfort and function rather than appearance alone. The aim is a denture that fits closely, meets the opposite teeth evenly and supports your lips and cheeks naturally, because a good fit and an even bite are what stop dentures from rubbing and slipping.

The clinic holds an International Health Tourism Authorization Certificate issued by the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Health (certificate no. ST-6264, dated 27 August 2025), which carries the HealthTürkiye logo. You can check it yourself on the e-Devlet document verification service at turkiye.gov.tr/saglik-bakanligi-ebys with the code 3D0867DC-7D38-4EBF-B6D7-7B8F049AC725.

Every denture plan follows the same sequence:

1. 1Online review. Your photos and X-rays are assessed and you receive a written treatment plan and quote before you travel.
2. 2Examination of the whole mouth. A clinical examination and X-rays check your gums, the jaw ridge and any remaining teeth.
3. 3Type matched to your mouth. A complete, partial, immediate or implant-retained denture is proposed according to your teeth, bone and wishes.
4. 4Accurate records. Impressions of your gums and a record of how your jaws meet are taken so the denture fits and bites evenly.
5. 5Try-in before finishing. You see and test the teeth set in wax, and changes are made before the denture is completed.
6. 6Adjustments and follow-up. Sore spots and the bite are adjusted after fitting, with aftercare instructions and remote follow-up once you are home.

Dentures are made over several appointments, because each stage records something the laboratory needs to build a denture that fits you. How many days you need in Istanbul depends on the type of denture and on whether extractions or implants are part of the plan. Implants need time to bond with the bone before an overdenture is attached to them, so implant-retained dentures may involve more than one visit. The number of appointments and days is written into your plan before you book.

1. 1Examination and X-rays. Your dentist confirms the plan, treats any problems that need attention first and discusses the look of the teeth with you.
2. 2Impressions. Impressions of your gums and any remaining teeth are taken, first with a standard tray and then with a tray made for your mouth.
3. 3Bite record. The position in which your jaws meet, the height of the bite and the support for your lips are recorded.
4. 4Wax try-in. The denture teeth are set in wax so that you can check the fit, the bite, the appearance and your speech before the denture is finished.
5. 5Fitting and adjustments. The finished denture is fitted, the bite is checked and any pressure points are eased.
6. 6Review. Follow-up checks deal with sore spots that appear once you start eating and speaking with the denture.

New dentures take some getting used to. At first they can feel bulky, you may produce more saliva than usual and some words may sound different. These effects usually settle as the muscles of your cheeks and tongue learn to hold the denture. Reading aloud and practising difficult words helps speech return to normal.

For eating, start with soft food cut into small pieces and chew slowly on both sides at the same time, which keeps the denture balanced. Add firmer food gradually. Very sticky or hard food is more likely to move a denture.

Daily care keeps the denture and your mouth healthy:

• Take the denture out and clean it every day with a soft brush and a denture cleaner or mild soap and water, as your dentist advises. Ordinary toothpaste can be abrasive and scratch the surface.
• Clean over a bowl of water or a folded towel, so the denture does not break if you drop it.
• Rinse the denture after meals to remove food.
• Brush your gums, your tongue and any natural teeth you still have, especially the teeth that hold a partial denture.
• Unless your dentist tells you otherwise, take the denture out at night to let your gums rest, and keep it moist in water or a soaking solution so it does not dry out and change shape. Do not use hot water, which can warp it.
• Keep regular check-ups, either with us or with your dentist at home, so that the fit and the health of your gums can be checked.

Before you leave Istanbul, you receive written aftercare instructions and your treatment documents, so you can share the details with your dentist at home. After you return, we stay in touch for remote follow-up.

Most denture problems are small and can be solved with an adjustment, but it helps to know what to expect and when to have a denture checked:

A sore that does not heal should always be checked by a dentist. Your dentist explains the problems that are most likely in your case before you give your consent.

Send us photos of your teeth or your current denture for a free online consultation. Our dentists review them and reply with a written treatment plan that states the proposed type of denture, the material and a clear quote, so you can compare your options before you decide to travel.