Full Denture in Astana: Price, Types, and Manufacturing Stages

Rigid plastic base

The acrylic base is a hard plastic cast from an impression of the jaw. Under chewing load it does not flex and transfers the load to the denture-bearing area across its entire surface. Because of its rigidity, the structure rests on the mucosa and the underlying bone rather than on isolated points. The edges of the base retain the denture through anatomical undercuts and the border seal along the vestibule. Acrylic responds well to relining and repair: a cracked area can be restored without remaking the entire denture. The material absorbs dyes, darkens over time, and its porous surface accumulates plaque. Both the denture and the oral cavity need to be cleaned. A rigid base rubs at areas of bony protrusions, causing sore spots and requiring adjustment. The thickness of the plastic is noticeable in the mouth, and getting used to it takes time, especially with a pronounced gag reflex. The dentist refines the borders of the base at try-in appointments.

Flexible metal-free base

The nylon base is a thermoplastic polymer that flexes and returns to shape. It contains no metal elements, so the structure looks like a continuous translucent base. The flexibility allows the base to adapt slightly to the contours of the jaw during movement, and some patients tolerate such a denture more easily. The border seal forms differently: the base fits more tightly around the vestibule and is retained by its elasticity. The thin edges are less noticeable under the lip. Flexibility has a downside: a soft base distributes chewing pressure less effectively, and the load falls on limited areas. Relining is more difficult, and a crack or tear usually cannot be repaired—the denture has to be remade. The polymer loses elasticity over time and may change color. The material is sensitive to temperature and abrasives: hot water and harsh pastes damage it. The indications for this type of base are determined by the dentist based on the clinical picture.

Comparison by key features

Suction and anatomical support

The foundation of the denture is a base made of acrylic or nylon. It replicates the relief of the denture-bearing area: the alveolar ridge, the palatal vault, the maxillary tuberosities, and the retromolar pads below. The more closely the base adapts to the mucosa, the less air remains between them. The negative pressure under the base creates suction. This is not a true vacuum: air seeps in along the edge, but the narrow gap and precise border slow this flow. The second mechanism is anatomical support. The ridge and vault act as prominences that the base grips by shape. The third is the border seal: there the mucosa is slightly more compressible, the edge sinks in slightly and closes the gap. All this works only with good adaptation. If the base is warped, or swelling or dry mucosa interferes with contact, retention decreases. That is why when fitting the denture, the dentist checks the border, not just the appearance of the teeth.

Upper and lower jaw: different mechanics

When retention is insufficient

Pressure zones and causes

Adjustment at the dentist: grinding the base

Adjustments are made not based on description but on actual findings. The dentist asks the patient to point out where it hurts, locates that area on the inner side of the base, and removes excess material with a bur or grinding stone. Sometimes a disclosing material is needed: it shows contact points that the patient cannot feel. Removal is done gradually, layer by layer, because it is easier to remove excess than to add it back. After grinding, the edges are polished; otherwise the roughness will rub again. The procedure takes a few minutes and is usually painless. In one visit, one or two zones are adjusted, no more: if too much is removed, the denture will start to rock, and pressure will shift to other areas. Sometimes it is easier to reline the denture than to keep grinding indefinitely. No one can say in advance how many visits will be needed: it depends on the clinical picture, the rate of healing, and how the patient tolerates the load. The adjustment plan is determined by the dentist.

What not to do on your own

The most common mistakes are filing the edge with a nail file, a needle file, or sandpaper. The material is removed unevenly, the edge becomes sharp, and within a day it rubs worse than before. The second mistake is placing cotton, gauze, adhesive tape, or a paper napkin under the denture. The padding displaces the base, changes the bite, and creates uneven pressure on the entire jaw. The third is enduring pain for weeks and hoping it will go away on its own. The mucosa does not get used to constant trauma: a pressure sore forms at the site of the rubbing, then an ulcer, and treatment drags on. You should also not bend clasps or tighten retainers yourself: the metal loses its shape, and retention decreases. If the denture rubs for the first time, a reasonable step is to take it out at night if the dentist has so instructed, and schedule an adjustment. What exactly is acceptable to do at home and what is not is decided by the dentist based on the condition of the mucosa.

What changes in the first days

Immediately after the denture is placed, a bulky object appears in the mouth that wasn't there before. The tongue presses against the base and feels cramped. Saliva flows more actively than usual — this is a reaction to the foreign material, and it gradually subsides. Speech changes: the sounds "s", "z", and "sh" are pronounced indistinctly because the tongue loses its familiar points of support. Chewing also readjusts. The person unconsciously favors one side and tries not to load the denture. The soft tissues under the base experience pressure in new places, so localized redness is possible. In the first days, the patient notices that the denture feels like something separate, foreign. This is a normal reaction; it does not mean the appliance was made poorly. Gradually the brain stops singling out the denture from the overall body map, and the feeling of foreignness fades. The speed of this transition varies from person to person. Its duration depends on the clinical picture, age, condition of the mucosa, and how regularly the person wears the denture.

What the duration depends on

Speech, taste, and chewing

Speech doesn't recover right away. For the first few weeks, a person speaks a little more slowly and articulates more carefully. Reading aloud and practicing difficult sound combinations help. The tongue gradually finds new points of contact with the base, and diction evens out. Taste changes too: a covered palate reduces perception of temperature and texture of food. Some taste sensations become dulled, especially on the upper jaw. Over time, the receptors adapt, but full sensitivity may not return. Chewing requires a separate skill. At first, it's better to cut food into small pieces and chew alternately on both sides. Hard foods — nuts, croutons, raw carrots — should be put off. Gradually the load is increased. If pain appears under the denture, that's a reason to come in for an adjustment, not to endure it. The dentist relieves excess pressure at a specific point, and chewing becomes more comfortable. How long each stage takes cannot be predicted. The dentist decides based on examination and how the mucosa responds.

Refreshing the inner layer of the base

Relining refers to adding to or replacing the inner layer of the base that contacts the mucosa. The appearance and teeth are not touched. The reason is simple: the bone tissue under the denture changes, its volume decreases, while the acrylic remains the same. A gap appears, the appliance starts to move and press on individual areas. The material is poured into the finished base directly in the mouth or in the laboratory; it fills the voids and replicates the relief of the denture-bearing area. The procedure does not replace a new denture or restore lost teeth. It solves a narrow task — restoring tight contact. It is done both immediately after delivery of the work if the impression was inaccurate, and after years of wear. The decision on whether it is needed is made by the dentist after examination: sometimes it is enough to correct one area, sometimes a complete replacement of the layer is needed. It depends on the clinical picture and the condition of the tissues.

Signs that it's time to do it

Types of relining

Daily hygiene

Storage and cleaning

Outside the mouth, the denture is kept in a closed container with clean water. Acrylic loses its shape without moisture: the base dries out, shrinks along the edges, and begins to rub. Use room-temperature water, not hot — boiling water warps acrylic, and the denture no longer fits. Once a week, denture cleaning tablets are helpful: they dissolve plaque in the recesses that a brush cannot reach. Oxygen cleaners do not replace daily brushing, they supplement it. Abrasive powders and stiff brushes leave scratches, where plaque builds up faster and odor develops. Metal parts — clasps, bars — are wiped separately so that no plaque remains at the attachment points. If the denture is left in a dry place or in hot water, it deteriorates faster, and then only a remake will help. Storing it in a napkin or pocket is risky: the thin base breaks easily if dropped. For travel, use a hard container. The cleaning product is chosen together with the doctor: with sensitive mucosa, harsh formulas cause irritation.

Check-ups with the doctor

Even with careful maintenance, the base changes its fit over time. The jawbone remodels, the denture begins to shift, and sore spots appear. It is hard to notice this on your own: the mucosa gradually adapts to the pressure. That is why regular check-ups are needed, not only when it already hurts. The doctor examines how the denture fits the tissues, checks the occlusion — the contact with the opposing teeth — and assesses the condition of the mucosa under the base. If necessary, the borders are adjusted or a reline is prescribed. The interval between check-ups depends on the clinical picture: some people need to come once a year, others more often. The doctor decides. If the denture is broken or cracked, do not glue it at home: household glue does not withstand the load, and the composition may irritate the mucosa. Repairs are done in the laboratory. A crack in the base is not noticed immediately — it shows up as a click or movement when chewing. A chipped tooth on the denture is also a reason to come in, not to put it off until the next scheduled visit.

How common is the reaction

Complaints of burning, dryness, and redness under the denture do occur, but a true acrylic allergy is rare. More often it is irritation from poor hygiene, a fungal infection, dry mucosa, or pressure from the edge of the base. It is impossible to say in advance that the material is the cause: the picture looks similar in different people. Symptoms do not appear immediately, but after months or years of wear. Residual monomer is gradually washed out over time, but in sensitive people the complaints persist. Sometimes the reaction is not to the acrylic itself, but to colorants, additives, or components of impression materials. That is why the problem is worked through step by step, rather than immediately replacing the denture. First, plaque, trauma, and infection are ruled out, and only then is material intolerance discussed.

How the allergy is confirmed

The diagnosis is made not by the dentist based on appearance, but by an allergist. Skin patch tests with acrylates are used, and less often a blood test. Sometimes a provocation test is done: a temporary base made of a different material and observation of the mucosa. An honest history is important: when it started, what was changed, what was used for cleaning, what medications were taken. If there is no reaction to acrylic but symptoms are present, another cause is sought. Confirmed intolerance is a rare but real scenario. In that case, the material is selected anew. The decision is made by the doctor based on the full picture, not on a single test. Self-diagnosis is a poor helper here: removing the denture and waiting is pointless — the mucosa will calm down, but the cause will remain. It is also specifically checked whether there was a reaction to metal in crowns or to components of impression materials. A diary helps too: when the burning appeared, what was eaten, what the denture was treated with. The doctor compares such notes with the test results and the examination of the oral cavity.

Which materials are selected

Material and fixation

Choosing between acrylic and nylon is not a question of "which material is better." Each has its own retention mechanics and its own weak points. A rigid acrylic base rests on the denture-bearing area and is held in place by anatomical undercuts. Elastic nylon fits more snugly at the edges but distributes chewing load less effectively. Retention depends on the shape of the jaw, the condition of the mucosa, and the quality of the impressions. If the base presses or shifts, the cause is more often the denture's borders rather than the material itself. Sometimes a reline is enough; sometimes the appliance needs to be remade. The dentist decides after an examination. Don't choose a material just because friends recommend it: their jaw shape and muscle tone are different. What suits one person will rub in another.

Adjustment period and corrections

In the first days, it feels like a foreign object in the mouth. That's normal. Speech may sound unclear, salivation increases, and a gag reflex appears — especially with a high base. These effects usually ease as you adapt, but the timeline varies: for some it's a week, for others a month. Adjustments during this period are part of the plan, not a sign of a mistake. The dentist removes excess material from the base where it rubs and balances the bite. Sometimes several visits are needed before the denture sits properly. Don't try to grind the base down at home: you can remove too much and ruin the fit. If the pain doesn't go away and burning persists, an examination is needed — it may be due to inflammation of the mucosa or a fungal infection, which requires separate treatment.

Care and check-ups

A removable appliance is cleaned after every meal. Use a soft brush with non-abrasive paste, without harsh products. Acrylic and nylon respond differently to temperature: hot water can warp the base, so rinse with cool water. At night, remove the denture and store it in a container with water or a special solution — this prevents drying out and warping of the material. The mucosa also needs cleaning: without teeth, plaque accumulates on the gums and tongue, and that's a breeding ground for microorganisms. Have a check-up every six months. The dentist assesses the fit, the condition of the mucosa, and the wear on the chewing surfaces. Over time, the jawbone changes and the denture starts to fit differently — then a reline or a new appliance is discussed. Service life depends on the clinical situation and care. Don't ignore minor discomfort: what seems tolerable today can turn into persistent inflammation months later.