Deciding to restore your teeth with dentures is a big decision, and you may have questions about the process you'll go through when getting your new smile. Today, we will review the steps you'll take from start to finish so you'll know exactly what to expect.
Step One: The Initial Consultation
The road to your new smile will begin with a consultation with one of our dentists to determine if dentures are right for you and which type will best suit your needs. There are three types of dentures to consider:
- Traditional Removable Dentures: These dentures replace an entire arch of teeth, either on the upper or lower arch. They're typically made of acrylic and rely on adhesives or suction to stay in place.
- Partial Dentures: Also a removable appliance, a partial anchors to healthy teeth with plastic or metal clasps and replaces a few missing teeth while helping you retain your healthy remaining teeth.
- Implant Dentures: Our dentists can use dental implants to support a full or partial denture. This appliance is typically not removable, and it holds your denture securely in place, making it easy and comfortable to eat, chew, laugh, and talk.
Step Two: Taking Impressions
The next step is our dentists will take impressions of your smile and send those along with their specifications to a dental lab that will handcraft your dentures. It may take a week or two to get your final dentures back for a fitting.
Step Three: Fitting Your Dentures
When your dentures are ready, our dentists will fit them into your mouth, ensuring that you have minimal movement or slippage to worry about if your dentures are removable. They'll make any adjustments at this time, but you may need to return for further adjustments as you're getting used to your new teeth.
Step Four: Adjusting to Your Dentures
It often takes time for patients to adjust to wearing their dentures, especially if they're removable – this is completely normal.
If you have questions or concerns about dentures in Charlotte, NC, or if you're trying to decide if dentures are the right treatment for you, don't hesitate to call us at (704) 588-1515 to talk with our team.