What To Expect When Fitting and Wearing Dentures

Dentures are custom-made to fit your mouth and take the place of your natural teeth. The process of getting dentures involves several appointments and adjustments to achieve a proper fit. Understanding the steps involved can help you prepare for the process from beginning to end. Here’s more information about this process and what to expect:

Patient Visits Clinic

Your journey toward getting dentures begins with a visit to a dental clinic. During this initial appointment, a dentist will conduct a thorough examination of your mouth. This includes checking the health of your gums and any remaining teeth. The dentist will also assess the bone structure of your jaw to determine the right approach for your specific needs.

Based on this examination, the dentist can discuss your options with you. This conversation may cover whether you need complete or partial dentures. You will also learn about the materials available for the denture base and the artificial teeth. This first meeting is a good time to ask any questions you have about the process.

Dentist Takes a Mold

The next step is for the dentist to take an impression, or mold, of your mouth. This is a key part of creating dentures that fit you correctly. You will be asked to bite down on this tray for a few moments until the material sets.

The dentist will make impressions of both your upper and lower jaws. These molds capture the precise shape and contours of your gums and any existing teeth. This mold enables the dental team to design a device tailored to your unique oral anatomy.

Lab Creates Custom Device

Once the molds are complete, the molds are sent to a dental laboratory. A skilled technician uses the plaster casts to build a model of the dentures. The technician carefully sets the artificial teeth, following the dentist’s instructions for alignment and appearance.

You may have an initial appointment where you see this model in your mouth. This appointment allows the dentist to check the fit, bite, and look of the dentures before finalizing them. At this stage, any adjustments to the tooth shape, color, or position are made.

After the dentist approves the temporary fitting, the lab creates the final denture from durable acrylic materials. The lab polishes and inspects the final denture to provide quality and comfort. Once the denture is ready, the dentist fits it and makes any necessary minor adjustments to make sure it feels natural and functions correctly.

Dentist Takes Results

When your custom dentures are ready, you will return to the clinic for a fitting. The dentist may place the dentures in your mouth and check for comfort and fit. They may also check your bite to see that your upper and lower teeth come together correctly. You may receive instructions on how to care for your new dentures. This typically includes:

How to clean them daily
When to remove them, such as at night

Learning to eat and speak with dentures takes time and practice. Your gums may be sore for a few weeks as they adjust. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to make further adjustments as your mouth continues to adapt.

Schedule an Appointment for Dentures

The process of fitting and wearing dentures is a multi-step journey tailored to your individual needs. From the initial consultation to the final fitting, each phase is designed to create a replacement for missing teeth. If you are exploring options for tooth replacement, the first step is to schedule a professional consultation. Contact an office today to schedule an appointment and discuss your needs with a dental team.