Dentures are perhaps the most tried-and-true of all tooth replacement solutions, having assisted countless generations of patients with varying degrees of tooth loss. However, if you’re considering this life-changing option, you might have questions and reservations about the process and timeline for receiving them. Here’s a brief overview of the process of making dentures, so that you have a better idea of how long it’ll take to rebuild your smile.
1. Consultation and Treatment Plan
The first step to any dental procedure is an examination; your dentist will need to evaluate your mouth and ensure that dentures are a viable solution for you. There are different types of dental solutions for different situations, and with dentures, there’s a good bit of variance. Often, a single appointment is all that’s needed to determine which type of denture is needed; from there, a customized treatment plan can be drawn up.
2. Impressions and Intermediate Steps
Impressions are important because they ensure that your dentures are as comfortable and natural-looking as possible. Fortunately, this process has changed a lot over the years and now dental technology can be used to streamline things. In addition to taking impressions, it’s possible that other initial steps might need to be conducted. For example, some patients might need to undergo tooth extractions beforehand, or others might have oral health concerns that need to be cleared up before the dentures can be placed. If implant dentures are being considered, the implant surgery process and the following osseointegration period can take several months to complete.
3. Delivery of Restorations
It’s possible that you might be given a mock-up of your dentures to try before you’re given your final restorations—this simply allows your dentist to perfect your bite and ensure that your new teeth look as natural as possible. Once any last-minute changes have been made and everything else is squared away, you can receive your dentures. They’ll closely resemble your natural teeth in terms of look, feel, and function. Traditionally, dentures are stabilized using suction and adhesives; however, implant dentures rely on embedded implant posts.
For most patients, it takes about a month or so to become fully accustomed to wearing their dentures, but each person’s journey is unique. That said, practice and patience will pay off here—once you’ve mastered wearing your dentures, you won’t even notice they’re there!
About the Practice
Downtown Family Dental of Leesburg has proudly served patients and families in Leesburg, VA, and the surrounding area for several years under the leadership of Dr. Jennifer Pham, offering a wide range of dental treatments including restorative options like dentures. If you or someone you know is in need of extensive tooth replacement, don’t hesitate to visit the practice’s website or give them a call for further information or assistance. Telephone: (703) 666-3867.