An important aspect of getting dentures is the process you go through in order to receive a set. It may sound like a very complicated procedure but fortunately the steps involved and their nature are all handled primarily by your dentist. Nonetheless, it can pay off to educate yourself on dentures, their design, how they’re made, and the process of obtaining a set during this period so that you don’t end up feeling lost or confused.
Two Options – Immediate and Conventional
To begin with, the manufacturing of dentures starts after you’ve had your teeth pulled that were deemed necessary for removal to prepare for the placement of dentures. At this point two options are available to you, or more specifically an option is available right away that almost always leads to the other. It is at this time that you may obtain a set of immediate dentures.
Immediate dentures are fitted the same day that you’ve received your extractions, are made from a mold formed beforehand, and are quite useful for some in order to begin the adaptation process or just to look natural when they’re without teeth. These dentures are of a preliminary design, however, and will most likely not stay with you on account of the changing bone and gum structure in your mouth. You see, bones and gums shrink over time and especially during the period in which your mouth heals following tooth removal. They change shape in such a way as to void the original design of your dentures, making it necessary to have conventional dentures made for you.
Conventional Dentures are the standard type that are made to be a permanent solution to your oral needs. Conventional dentures will come after your teeth have been removed and all your bones and gums have repaired themselves, making this type of device a perfect match to your mouth and thus the preferred choice for some.
With these dentures you’ll have exactly what you need and thus won’t require constant adjustments and the periodic visits that come with them.
Preparing for Dentures
In order to obtain a set of conventional dentures, your dentist will need to get several impressions of your mouth which include both your jaw pieces and how they relate to one another and how much space exists between them. Your dentist will then go on to create models, wax formations, and perhaps even plastic patterns in the exact shape and position that the dentures will be based on. During this process you will try the models made several times while the dentures are assessed for shape, fit, and color before a mold for a final set of dentures is crafted.
Finally, once your dentist has determined a mold to be of a perfect fit for your mouth, he or she will send the mold off to be made into an actual set of dentures to be used by you. This mold will go through several processes before finally being used to craft a set of dentures made typically from resin. When given to the dentist, the denture will be applied to your mouth to ensure a proper fit and to make certain that the bite is accurate. Because the number of processing steps are high, there is a possibility that a slight discrepancy will be present regarding your dentures ability to fit. Usually this issue is just temporary and is resolved with a moderate grinding and smoothing of denture surfaces.
Going Home with Your New Dentures
Typically, the entire process of having surgery to prepare for dentures and then having dentures made for you takes about three to seven weeks, during which time several appointments will be made to ensure healthy healing and a proper fit. At the final stage the dentures are totally complete and ready to use. Your dentist will instruct you on how to best handle your prosthetic teeth and most likely have you schedule a check-up visit to see how you’re handling your new device.