The first appointment
Depending on your health, we may recommend removing all of your natural teeth before moving on to the dentures, although this is not always the case. The first visit includes images and impressions of your mouth, with or without extractions.
Depending on your treatment plan, we may fit you with immediate dentures at this visit. These are only temporary, until your permanent dentures are ready.
The fitting appointment
A fitting appointment usually takes place at least four weeks after an extraction, which gives the gums time to heal. If you choose immediate or temporary dentures, the impression is taken beforehand so they are ready on the day of the extraction. You are then fitted for permanent dentures about four to eight weeks later.
- We evaluate your gums and overall oral health.
- We take impressions of the upper and lower jaws. For complete dentures, this creates an accurate mold of the gums. Even for a partial denture we take both jaws, because the denture has to fit well among your remaining teeth.
- We talk with you about the best shape, size and color for your new teeth. Computer-aided design and manufacturing lets dental labs make increasingly customized dentures, which look more natural.
Getting used to dentures
Do not rush back to your normal diet. Food may seem to lose its flavor at first, but taste returns soon. Before you get your dentures, you can start practicing:
- Cut food into smaller pieces.
- Start with soft foods.
- Chew half of the food on the back left side and half on the back right.
- Drink liquids at room temperature. New wearers sometimes cannot tell if a drink is hot or cold, which raises the risk of burns.
After you receive your dentures, expect a period of adjustment. Minor bleeding is possible because there is a new appliance in your mouth, but report heavy or unusual bleeding right away. If you have pain, pressure or irritation, contact us. You may need an adjustment or repair.
Ongoing care: relining and rebasing
Even with no natural teeth, you need regular cleanings and check-ups. After extractions the bone changes, so immediate dentures usually need adjusting within weeks and again several months later. After that, some people go years without an adjustment, and others need them more often. As the jaw and gums change, there are two main ways to keep dentures comfortable:
- Relining. As the jaw and gums shrink, gaps appear under the denture. We add material to the existing base to fill them and restore a snug fit.
- Rebasing. When relining is not enough, we keep the existing artificial teeth but replace the base, using new images and impressions to get a good fit.
You can read more about denture adjustments and about what to expect when getting dentures.
Common questions
Do impressions hurt?
No, they are not invasive. You have to open your mouth wide, which can cause brief discomfort or jaw soreness, but impressions are generally not painful.
How soon will I have my dentures after the fitting?
It depends on how complex they are and whether you need other procedures. A single replacement tooth can take one appointment and as little as a week. Complete dentures may need four or more appointments and up to eight weeks.
Is a strange feeling normal?
Yes, for the first few days. If a denture becomes uncomfortable again after you had gotten used to it, the fit may have changed.
Do I need special products for my dentures?
Use cleaners made for dentures, which are formulated not to harm the materials. WebMD advises against regular toothpaste because it can be too abrasive. We can recommend products for your type of denture.