Dentures are man-made teeth designed to take the place of missing or lost natural teeth. They come in forms that include partial dentures—which replace some of your teeth—and complete dentures, which replace all of the teeth in your upper or lower jaw. Getting dentures typically requires several visits to your dentist’s office for initial fitting and later fitting adjustment.
Initial Steps
As a rule, you will receive dentures after your teeth have been removed and your affected gum has had time to heal, according to the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. Prior to creating your new dentures, your dentist will make an appointment to examine your mouth and discuss potential denture solutions that fit your current condition. After this initial visit, your dentist will make physical impressions of your mouth and determine the best way of providing you with a functional biting surface once your new dentures are in place.
Personal Preferences
Typically, your dentist will take your personal preferences into account when fashioning your new dentures, the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine explains. This includes helping to select the type of teeth placed in your dentures. If you have a specific idea in mind, or if you want your new teeth to resemble your natural teeth, you can provide visual examples such as photographs to help communicate your wishes to your dentist more accurately.
Denture Fitting
After your dentures are constructed, your doctor will ask you to sit for a trial fitting, the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine reports. This will allow you to place the actual dentures in your mouth and get a sense of how they will feel during everyday use. Your dentist will also use this opportunity to check your dentures for technical aspects such as proper fit and function. If both you and your dentist approve of the results of a trial fitting, you will return at a later time to receive your new dentures and get detailed instructions on how to use while eating or speaking.
Follow-Up Visits
After you receive new dentures, you will probably need several weeks to adjust to their presence, according to the American Dental Association. Common problems include mouth soreness or irritation, increases in saliva flow and denture looseness due to lack of muscle development in your tongue or jaws. To address these problems and other potential issues, you will typically need to schedule follow-up visits with your dentist. If you experience persistent problems prior to a scheduled visit, you should contact your dentist rather than wait until your appointed time.
Later Adjustments
In time, changes in the structure of your mouth will alter the fit of your dentures, the National Institute on Aging reports. Depending on the degree of alteration, your dentures may require either adjustment or replacement. To ensure a proper denture fit, you will need to visit your dentist periodically. Your dentist should also perform any necessary adjustments or measurements needed for denture replacement.
