The Process for Getting Dentures Charlotte, NC
By understanding what to expect when getting dentures, we can help you approach the process from an informed and prepared standpoint. Many patients with missing teeth choose to replace them with dentures, removable synthetic teeth that can replace any number of missing teeth. This option offers an affordable, versatile way to maintain comfort, appearance, and one's diet.
Dentures are available at Randolph Dental Care in Charlotte and the surrounding area. During the fitting appointment, adjustment, and eventual replacement, our team will ensure the right fit to help benefit appearance and optimal oral health.
Replacing missing teeth can play an important role in your overall health and wellbeing, and contacting our office is the first step towards getting those missing teeth replaced. Call us at (704) 366-3622 to make an appointment.
The Preliminary Denture Appointment
Depending on the state of a patient's health, Randolph Dental Care may recommend full extraction of all their natural teeth before moving on to the restoration step. However, this is not always the case. The first appointment consists of taking images and impressions of the patient's mouth, with or without extractions.
Depending on the patient's custom treatment plan, the first appointment may also involve Randolph Dental Care fitting the patient with immediate dentures. However, immediate dentures are only a temporary solution until the permanent dentures are ready.
“The first appointment consists of taking images and impressions of the patient’s mouth, with or without extractions.”
Getting Used to Dentures
It is critical that patients try not to rush back into their normal diet. New denture patients sometimes feel as if their food has lost its flavor; however, the delicious taste of food should return shortly. To make the transition easier, try out some of these preparatory lifestyle changes before getting dentures:
- Cut food into smaller pieces
- Start eating soft foods
- Chew half of the food on the back left side of the mouth and the other half on the back right side
- Drink liquids at room temperature (New denture wearers sometimes have trouble sensing if a drink is hot or cold, which heightens the risk of their mouth getting burned)
“It is critical that patients try not to rush back into their normal diet.”
Permanent Dentures
Permanent dentures are the final product that the patient will wear daily. They have a useful life of approximately five to 10 years with proper care. Therefore, a patient should expect to get new permanent dentures eventually.
As a person ages, jawbone and gum tissue tends to shrink, especially after having teeth extracted. However, this shrinkage is not a reason to get a new set of dentures, as permanent dentures can be rebased or relined to account for changes in the jawbone and gums.
“Permanent dentures can be rebased or relined to account for changes in the jawbone and gums.”
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Fitting Appointments for Dentures
Having well-fitting dentures is vital. Dentures that do not fit well may rub a person's gums and cause soreness and irritate the tissue. Aside from being uncomfortable for the patient, ill-fitting dentures also pose a health risk.
During the first fitting appointment and before the finalization of the permanent dentures, the patient may have the denture fit checked using wax ridges where the prosthetic teeth will eventually sit. The patient will also have the fit checked again before going home with temporary or permanent dentures to make sure the prostheses do not pinch the cheeks or slide around on the gums. The dentist will also check the patient's new bite to ensure that the upper and lower dentures align properly.
Shortly after the insertion appointment for permanent dentures, typically between 24 and 72 hours after insertion, the patient will need a follow-up appointment. The initial follow-up is to ensure the patient is healing well and to make preliminary adjustments to the dentures. The patient should schedule another follow-up about a week later.
“The initial follow-up is to ensure the patient is healing well and to make preliminary adjustments to the dentures.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. What happens during the preliminary denture appointment?
Q. How long do permanent dentures last?
Q. What happens during a denture fitting appointment?
Q. What should I do if my dentures start to feel uncomfortable?
Q. How does one get used to dentures?
People Also Ask
Q. How do removable partial dentures work?
Q. What lifestyle changes will people experience after getting dentures?
Q. What are the most common denture repairs?
Ongoing Care for Denture-Wearers
Oral health must be a priority even for a patient who has no natural teeth remaining. A patient with a full or partial set of dentures needs to visit the dentist regularly for cleanings and checkups. Any time the dentures start to shift or feel uncomfortable, the patient should make an appointment to have them examined and adjusted.
As explained in the Journal of the American Dental Association, due to changes in bone structure following extractions, patients will need their dentures adjusted within weeks of getting immediate dentures and then again several months later. After that, some patients may not need adjustments for several years; others will continue to need them more frequently. As a patient's jawbone and gums change, there are two primary methods for adjusting the dentures for optimum comfort and health:
Denture Relining
As the jaw and gums shrink, they move away from the base of the denture, creating gaps. Randolph Dental Care can reline a set of dentures by adding material to the existing base to fill the gaps and restore a snug fit. Sometimes, however, a patient's oral structures change so much that simple relining is not enough.
Denture Rebasing
When relining is not an option, Randolph Dental Care can rebase the dentures. This process preserves the existing prosthetic teeth but replaces the base material. Randolph Dental Care will take new images and impressions to ensure the new base will be a good fit for the patient. After the completion of the new base, fittings can continue as before.
“Any time the dentures start to shift or feel uncomfortable, the patient should make an appointment to have them examined and adjusted.”
Frequently Asked Questions About What To Expect When Getting Dentures
Q. Does it hurt when the dentist takes impressions during the fitting appointment?
A. The process is not invasive. You do have to open your mouth wide, which can cause brief discomfort or jaw soreness. Though uncomfortable for some, taking impressions is generally not painful.
Q. When do I need to go back to the dentist after completing the process of getting dentures?
A. As per the recommendation of the Oral Health Foundation, it is important to continue visiting a dentist regularly. Follow your dentist's advice as to the right schedule for you. If at any time you experience problems with your dentures or oral health, call the dentist's office promptly.
Q. Is a strange feeling in the mouth part of what to expect when getting dentures?
A. It is normal for a denture to feel a little odd or even uncomfortable for the first few days as one gets used to it. If the denture starts feeling uncomfortable again after you have adjusted to it, there may have been a change in fit.
Q. How soon after my fitting appointment will I have my dentures?
A. This depends on how complex the denture is and whether you need additional procedures. A single tooth replacement can take one appointment and as little as a week to make. A set of complete dentures may need four or more appointments and can take as long as eight weeks to be finished.
Q. Can I resume my normal eating habits immediately after getting dentures?
A. We recommend starting with soft foods and small pieces. As you get used to the dentures, you will be able to resume your usual eating habits gradually. Avoid hard or sticky foods.
Q. Do I have to buy special products to care for my dentures?
A. Denture cleaners are specifically formulated to avoid harming the materials of the dentures. Our dentist can make specific recommendations based on the make of your dentures and other factors. WebMD advises against regular toothpaste as it can be too abrasive.
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Denture Terminology
Call Us Today
Whether you are new to wearing dentures or need an adjustment to your existing ones, call us today at 704-366-3622 to make an appointment.
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2024
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD). Home Page. 2024
- WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2024
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