Getting new dentures brings back a confident smile and makes eating much easier. However, many people feel a bit nervous because they do not know what happens during the appointments. The fabrication and placement of a custom dental appliance take multiple steps over a few weeks.
Knowing what lies ahead helps eliminate that anxiety. Here is a straightforward breakdown of what you can expect during the denture fitting process.
The Initial Consultation
Your first appointment includes a comprehensive oral examination. The dentist assesses your natural teeth, the bone structure of the jaw, and the gum condition. This procedure enables the dental team to understand the state of your oral health and recommend the most appropriate type of denture for your needs, whether complete or partial dentures.
During this visit, digital X-rays may be taken to evaluate the underlying jawbone and supporting structures. If any teeth require extraction, your dentist will develop a treatment plan before moving forward with the denture process.
Creating Accurate Impressions
A precise fit requires a replica of your mouth. The dental team uses a putty-like material or a modern digital scanner to take impressions of your dental arches. These molds capture every ridge, curve, and contour of your gums.
These impressions are used to create an accurate physical or digital model of your mouth. Your dentist will also record your bite alignment to ensure your dentures fit comfortably and function naturally. These measurements help the dental laboratory position the prosthetic teeth correctly.
The Try-In Appointments
You do not just get the final product right away. First, the laboratory creates a temporary wax mockup of your new smile. During the try-in appointment, you place this wax model in your mouth.
The main advantage of this procedure is that it allows you to see what the outcome will look like in advance. In other words, you have an opportunity to try out your new teeth and assess their shade, shape, and overall appearance by looking in the mirror. Your dentist examines your speech skills and the arrangement of your teeth. Should the wax sample not suit you, your dentist makes notes about changes needed on the wax sample and sends it to the lab.
Delivery Day
Once the laboratory has finished making the final appliance using acrylic resin, you go back to the clinic to receive the dentures. You will be asked to wear the dentures in your mouth to check for areas of excessive pressure.
The dentist uses pressure-indicating paste to mark the areas where the base puts extra pressure on the gums. The dentist makes minor adjustments using a small dental drill to smooth out those spots. You will leave the office with your new teeth in place.
The Adjustment Period
Your mouth needs time to adapt to the new appliance. Your cheek muscles and tongue will initially treat the dentures like a foreign object. You might produce extra saliva for the first few days, and your speech might sound slightly different.
Sore spots often develop as the tissue adjusts to the constant pressure. This is a completely normal part of the process. You will need a few follow-up appointments during the first month. The dentist expects these minor issues and will trim the base to relieve the irritation.
Reach Out to the Professionals
If you live in the South Houston area and want to replace missing teeth, the experienced team at Matouk Family Dentistry provides compassionate, professional care. They walk you through every single step of your custom denture treatment to give you a secure fit and a bright smile.
Call us today at (281) 484-3675 to book a consultation.