If you have lost or had your teeth extracted due to disease or injury, dentures can help you restore your smile. Here’s what you should know to help you relax and make the best decision when getting dentures for the first time.
Dentures are artificial, removable tooth replacements. They are custom-made in a dental laboratory using your mouth impression and the color of your teeth and gums to achieve a natural appearance. You may need full or partial dentures depending on how many teeth need to be replaced. Your denturist will recommend the best denture for you.
During your denture fitting procedure, you can anticipate the following steps:
Tooth Removal
To make you feel relaxed and fully informed during tooth removal, your dentist will guide you through the steps and offer aftercare advice.
Mouth Impression
In order to create a custom denture for you, impressions of your mouth will be taken.
Bite Casts
Wax blocks are used to study your biting motion. At this point, you may also be asked to choose the shape and color of your new denture.
Wax Models
Your false teeth are set in wax to give you a better idea of how your final denture will look and function.
Denture Fitting
Your final denture will be fitted, and you will be given care instructions.
Immediate Dentures
After your teeth have been extracted, speak with your dentist about getting an immediate denture.
You should plan on visiting your dentist four or five times over the next three to six weeks until you receive your new denture set. It may, however, vary from person to person.
Dentures may appear loose at first. Until you get used to keeping your dentures in place with the help of your cheek and tongue muscles, they may shift while you’re chewing and allow food or liquids to get inside. These issues will go away after a few weeks as your oral tissues adjust to wearing dentures.
However, if you continue to experience irritation or soreness in any area, contact your dentist’s office right away for emergency denture repair or to find the problem. You may feel defeated on your first day with new dentures. It may take a few months to adjust to your new dentures. Because of adjustment issues, sore spots on your gums may appear when you get new dentures.
The first fitting takes place about a month after the dentures are ordered. They will schedule the patient for an initial fitting appointment, during which they will place the dentures in the patient’s mouth. They will make the necessary adjustments to ensure that the patient is as comfortable and natural as possible.
However, denture placement and maintenance do not end with the initial fitting. Additional appointments will be required to fine-tune the dentures. These minor adjustments will ensure that the dentures are both effective and comfortable. They can assist in preventing dentures from falling out when speaking or eating.
