Dentures

The Process for Getting Dentures

The more you know what to expect when getting dentures, the better prepared you will be for a smooth transition. Although there are different types of dentures, most people will still need a series of appointments before the completion of their dentures. The process for getting dentures involves having teeth extracted, impressions taken, temporary dentures fitted, and permanent dentures adjusted.

A fitting appointment is available at Smile Fresh Dental in Auburn Hills and the surrounding area. Getting dentures may not only improve a person's appearance but also restore the ability to eat and speak normally. Although chewing power with dentures is not 100% of what it would be with healthy natural teeth, it is a significant improvement from eating with missing or damaged teeth. We can help you prepare yourself for the process of getting dentures.

At Smile Fresh Dental, our caring and knowledgeable staff takes the time to get to know each patient. This way, we can provide the highest level of personalized care possible. Call us at (248)-255-4585 to get started on your new smile.

Immediate Dentures

According to an article in the journal Annali di Stomatologia, temporary immediate dentures can improve a patient's appearance as well as maintain the tone of the facial muscles and reduce post-extraction pain. Patients who receive immediate interim dentures do not have to go without teeth during the healing process while they wait for the creation of their permanent dentures.

During the recovery period, the dentist will see the patient frequently to make sure that everything is going as it should. Oral hygiene is especially important to reduce the likelihood of infection and promote healing.

Permanent Dentures

Permanent dentures are the final product that the patient will wear daily. They have a useful life of approximately five to 10 years with proper care. Therefore, a patient should expect to get new permanent dentures eventually.

As a person ages, jawbone and gum tissue tends to shrink, especially after having teeth extracted. However, this shrinkage is not a reason to get a new set of dentures, as permanent dentures can be rebased or relined to account for changes in the jawbone and gums.

Fitting Appointments for Dentures

Having well-fitting dentures is vital. Dentures that do not fit well may rub a person's gums and cause soreness and irritate the tissue. Aside from being uncomfortable for the patient, ill-fitting dentures also pose a health risk.

During the first fitting appointment and before the finalization of the permanent dentures, the patient may have the denture fit checked using wax ridges where the prosthetic teeth will eventually sit. The patient will also have the fit checked again before going home with temporary or permanent dentures to make sure the prostheses do not pinch the cheeks or slide around on the gums. The dentist will also check the patient's new bite to ensure that the upper and lower dentures align properly.

Shortly after the insertion appointment for permanent dentures, typically between 24 and 72 hours after insertion, the patient will need a follow-up appointment. The initial follow-up is to ensure the patient is healing well and to make preliminary adjustments to the dentures. The patient should schedule another follow-up about a week later.

A denture is a prosthetic device that replaces missing teeth and surrounding tissue. They can be complete or partial and removable or secured with dental implants. Full dentures are used when all teeth are lost, whereas partial dentures fill in the gaps when some natural teeth remain. Removable dentures are held in place by thin metal clasps that fit around existing teeth. Implant-supported dentures are more stable and comfortable than traditional dentures and are permanently affixed using dental implants. 

If you have a gap in your teeth, consider visiting our dentist at Smile Fresh Dental Grand Blanc, to determine if dentures are the best option. Your dentist will take impressions that will be used to design your denture. Multiple appointments may be necessary to ensure your denture fits properly and comfortably. Once your denture is ready, you’ll learn how to care for it and clean it properly to extend the life of your new appliance.

Types of Dentures

Complete Dentures

Complete dentures are removable appliances replacing all the jaw's upper or lower teeth. They are used when all the natural teeth are missing or need to be removed for other reasons, such as decay or disease. Impressions of the upper and lower arches are taken, and custom models of the teeth are created from the impressions. A patient tries on these models to determine which denture feels the best and looks the most natural. Once the models are chosen and the fit is finalized, the dentures are made. The patient receives their last set of complete dentures at the final appointment. The patient will need adjustment to get used to speaking and eating with a new set of teeth. 

Partial Dentures

A partial denture is a removable prosthesis that replaces multiple missing teeth and fills in the spaces left behind by the absent teeth. The prosthetic is custom-crafted to fit the patient’s mouth, and the restoration can be held in place with a series of clasps or implants. 

The Benefits of Dentures

• Restoring the ability to chew and speak correctly
• Helping the patient avoid bone loss in the jaw
• Increasing patients' confidence in their smile
• Allowing them to enjoy a broader range of foods than they can with missing teeth
• Creating a more youthful appearance 
• Reducing the amount of stress placed on the remaining natural teeth

Ongoing Care for Denture-Wearers

Oral health must be a priority even for a patient who has no natural teeth remaining. A patient with a full or partial set of dentures needs to visit the dentist regularly for cleanings and checkups. Any time the dentures start to shift or feel uncomfortable, the patient should make an appointment to have them examined and adjusted.

As explained in the Journal of the American Dental Association, due to changes in bone structure following extractions, patients will need their dentures adjusted within weeks of getting immediate dentures and then again several months later. After that, some patients may not need adjustments for several years; others will continue to need them more frequently. As a patient's jawbone and gums change, there are two primary methods for adjusting the dentures for optimum comfort and health:

Denture Relining

As the jaw and gums shrink, they move away from the base of the denture, creating gaps. Smile Fresh Dental can reline a set of dentures by adding material to the existing base to fill the gaps and restore a snug fit. Sometimes, however, a patient's oral structures change so much that simple relining is not enough.

Denture Rebasing

When relining is not an option, Smile Fresh Dental can rebase the dentures. This process preserves the existing prosthetic teeth but replaces the base material. Smile Fresh Dental will take new images and impressions to ensure the new base will be a good fit for the patient. After the completion of the new base, fittings can continue as before.

Frequently Asked Questions About What To Expect When Getting Dentures

Q. How long is the process of getting dentures?

A. Getting dentures usually takes several appointments. Depending on the type of dentures, it could be a quick process or last several months. Ongoing follow-up care is essential.

Q. How can I know what to expect when getting dentures?

A. Consult with your dentist. The process for getting dentures varies depending on the type of dentures, the patient's current health, and other factors. Doing research ahead of time will help reduce anxiety.

Q. Will I still need fitting appointments after getting my dentures?

A. Proper denture fit is essential, both to increase comfort and to reduce the risk of complications. Therefore, ongoing fitting appointments are necessary. After the patient heals and receives permanent dentures, the fit will change over time, and dentures will need to be adjusted.

Q. What type of dentures should I get?

A. What type of dentures are best for a patient's particular needs depends on several different factors. Some options may be partials, full conventional dentures, or implant-supported dentures. Each patient needs a comprehensive consultation with a dentist to find out which type may be appropriate.

Q. Should I get dentures or implants?

A. Choosing between dentures and implants is a big decision. Not every patient is a candidate for implants, nor is every patient a candidate for dentures. Only a comprehensive oral exam with a qualified professional can let you know what your most suitable options are.

Q. Why do my dentures fit differently than before?

A. Over time, a person's jaw and gums change shape. Therefore, even custom-made dentures that fit flawlessly at first will seem to have changed. As the patient's mouth changes, so their dentures will need to be adjusted accordingly.