Getting dentures in Tullahoma can help you recapture your dazzling smile, give you a second chance to enjoy the various foods you love, and overall improve your oral health. But you can’t expect to receive a full set of new teeth the instant you walk into the dentist’s office; it will take multiple appointments before your dentures are ready. The length of the process varies depending on a couple of different factors, but generally speaking, you can expect to visit the dentist about three to four times to complete the following steps.
1. Extraction
First, there needs to be room in your mouth for an entire arch of teeth. That means any remaining teeth will need to be removed first. Your dentist will only start the process of designing your dentures once your mouth has completely healed, which in some cases can take several months. Of course, healing time won’t be the same for everyone; it depends largely on how many teeth are being extracted in the first place and how quickly your body can recover on its own.
2. Impressions
In order to keep the risk of your dentures slipping to a minimum, your dentist needs to make sure that they’ll fit properly in your mouth. This is usually done by having the patient bite down on dental putty in order to take an impression. A number of measurements will also be made to ensure that the dentures match your bite pattern. A wax mockup of your new teeth may also be made to further help the fitting process. The impression will be sent to a separate lab for the fabrication process.
3. Adjustment
Your mockup dentures will need to be adjusted over the course of several appointments. Each adjustment is to help ensure that the final product matches your facial features and fits as perfectly as possible. For example, the length of the teeth might need to be adjusted slightly.
4. Denture Placement
Once all the adjustments are made and the final dentures are complete, you’ll be ready to receive your new teeth. Further adjustments might be needed afterwards so that the dentures stay firmly in place. Be aware of the changes in your mouth in the days after you receive your dentures; if you notice any soreness, it could be a sign that your dentures are ill-fitting and need to be examined by your dentist immediately.
Of course, the process won’t be exactly the same for all patients. For example, immediate dentures can sometimes be used if you can’t afford to go without teeth for a long period of time. Talk to your dentist at the beginning of the process so that you have an idea of what you can expect. Once you’ve received your new teeth, you can enjoy the benefits of a complete smile once again.
About the Author
Dr. John E. Petty has gone out of his way to make his practice a minimum-stress environment. He will always take the time to listen to you and understand what your needs are. He values being thorough in his treatment and will be very meticulous in designing dentures that fit perfectly inside your mouth. If you’ve lost most or all of your teeth and want to schedule an appointment to ask about dentures, you can contact his practice, Spring Cypress Dental, through his website or call (281) 256-3222.