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What Happens When You Get Dentures?

Dentures can improve your appearance and your ability to properly chew and speak clearly. Despite all of these advantages, the long process of creating and fitting a new set of teeth can diminish the excitement of obtaining new dentures, if you don't know what to expect. From start to finish, the process to obtain new dentures is likely to involve seven or more dental appointments over two to three months. The process of creating dental implants can take several months and involve a three-part process.

  1. Complete Beginning

    • Creating dentures is a detailed and precise process because each patient's dentures must be custom fitted. Thus, no two sets of dentures are alike. The process to create new dentures can take between three weeks to two months to complete.

      As a first step, your dentists will make a cast of your natural teeth . The cast is used to create a set of immediate dentures. These dentures are temporary and will only be used your permanent complete dentures are ready. The second step in the process is removal of all natural teeth.

    Complete Measurements

    • Dentists start by making a series of impressions, or casts, of the jaw. Also dentists measure your jaws to see how they relate to each other. The impressions and measurements are taken to ensure that the same spaces that were present between your jaw areas when your natural teeth were present remain when you wear your dentures.

    Complete Models

    • The next steps are all about how the dentures will look. During one appointment, you and your dentist will pick the teeth and the denture color you prefer. After these decisions are made, your dentist will create plastic patterns, models and wax forms of the dentures. You will try these exact replicas of your future dentures during your appointments. Your dentist will make several of the prototypes to find the best fit, shape and color for the permanent dentures. Once the correct denture model is found, the final process can begin.

    Dentures

    • After the final dentures are cast, the models are sent to a laboratory. You will have to wait for about six weeks before your new dentures are ready. During the final dental appointment, you will receive your new permanent dentures. Your dentist will check how the dentures fit. If they need any adjustments, your dentist will make them at that time.

    Implant Procedures

    • If you opt for something short of a full set of dentures, dental implants can be made to replace two or more missing or decayed teeth. If you choose to go with partial implants, your decayed teeth will be removed before the process begins. During surgery, your dentist will implant posts into your jaw. The top of the post remains slightly above the bone, then a screw is inserted to prevent food debris or gum tissue from entering or infecting the area while it heals. The gum is secured over the area for six months so the bone and implant can fuse together. Then the gum is lifted so a screw is placed into the post and a replacement tooth, or crown, is attached to the screw.

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