What is the Denture Fitting Procedure?


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The Initial Consultation

The first step with any kind of dental issue is to visit your dentist. You may be set on one particular type of dental procedure that you have heard about or read about but it may be that your dentist, with their medical training, can offer you a more suitable option. Different dentists also offer different services particularly if you are seeing a private dentist for a consultation) so if you are unhappy with what your dentist has offered you, you can always see a different one for a second opinion.

Assessment of Your Mouth

Once both you and your dentist agree that dentures are the best option for you he/she will assess the health of your gums. If the problem is that your teeth are all there but in a very poor state your dentist will assess which teeth need removing. You will then make an appointment for the teeth to be extracted. The extraction procedure will take place either at your dentist or at your local hospital. First your dentist will numb the surrounding area with an anaesthetic injection. Then they will need to widen the socket that the tooth sits in (this is the bone). Once the socket is widened the dentist can separate the tooth from the ligament that holds it in the socket. This will be repeated for all the teeth that need removing. Although you may feel the procedure taking place because of the pressure applied to remove the tooth the anaesthetic should remove any pain during the actual process. If you do not need any teeth removed because they are already missing, your dentist will need to ascertain whether of not your gums are healthy enough to support the dentures. Because of the further gum problems that can be caused my dentures (sores, blisters) it is really important that your gums are in great shape before the dentures are fitted and your dentist should advise you on how to keep your gums healthy or improve their condition.

Mould Taken of Your Mouth

A mould of your mouth will then be made. The dentist will ask you to bite into some dental putty and wait a few minutes while it sets. This will create an exact impression of your gums and existing teeth if you are only having partial dentures. The mould is used as a custom-guide to making the dentures, as each and every mouth is different. The dentist may also take an x-ray of your mouth to ascertain the exact size and shape of your jaw. It will then be taken to a laboratory, where a ‘try-in’ set of dentures are made out of wax. This is to make sure that the dentures look good and fit well before your finished dentures are fitted. When you have tried these on the technician will make note of any changes to the original mould that need to be made. The permanent denture set will usually be out of acrylic. If you have agreed to have an ‘immediate’ set of dentures, then they will be ready and waiting for you after the extraction. If you have decided to wait, you will have to wait on average around two months in order to allow your mouth and gums to sufficiently recover from the extraction, which can make your gums extremely sore. Obviously fitting dentures onto already sore gums will make it more likely your mouth will be irritated by them and you will need more visits to the dentist so it is important to be patient and wait until your dentist says that your gums are healed enough for the fitting. When your mouth is ready you will then be required to go to your dentist for the dentures to be fitted.

Fitting and Post-Fitting your Denture

After the dentures are fitted your dentist will ask you to point out any sore spots so that small adjustments can be made. Many people find the feel of their mouths post-procedure very strange because of adjusting to the extra material in there. You may find it difficult to talk or eat at first. You should have to visit your dentist several times during the initial weeks after the fitting for follow up sessions, this is so that your progress can be monitored, and so that he or she can check that you are adapting well to your dentures.

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