The Process of Getting Dentures
If you are hoping to get your missing teeth replaced and wish to know the process of getting dentures in Huntsville, Alabama, then you are in the right place!
Getting your first pair of dentures can be a little scary, and knowing what to expect beforehand often takes away the anxiety and fear. Owing to this, we at Valley Wide Dental, Huntsville, Alabama, have curated this blog to help our patients visualize what their treatment process will look like.
What are dentures?
Dentures have two parts: artificial teeth and gums that are made to fit your mouth and replace missing teeth. Dentures are removable must be taken out for cleaning and before you sleep.
Dentures can either be complete or partial. Complete or full dentures replace all your teeth on the upper or lower jaw or both. Partial dentures are used to replace one or more missing teeth. Regardless of the type of dentures you need, they will be customized according to the shape of your gums and are matched to the shape and size of the existing teeth in cases of partial dentures.
The Process
The process of getting dentures can be divided into five steps that are as follows –
1) INITIAL EXAMINATION
Our dentist will conduct a thorough oral examination during your first appointment at Valley Wide Dental in Huntsville, Alabama. They will check for the condition of the jawbone and overlying gums. There should be enough bone height to ensure successful denture placement; sometimes, a bone augmentation surgery may be suggested before dentures are designed. In cases where there are remaining tooth root pieces, they will be extracted and allowed to heal before planning for dentures.
2) TAKING IMPRESSIONS AND FACIAL MEASUREMENT
Next, our dentist will take an impression of your upper and lower jaw with the help of pliable dental material loaded in a tray. These impressions act as a mold and are used to create a model of your teeth and jawbone, which is required to make your dentures.
Our dentist will also take facial measurements while you rest your jaw normally and during movement. The artificial teeth’ shape, size, and color will also be decided during this visit.
3) MAKING DENTURES
The models and measurements are then sent to a dental laboratory in Huntsville, Alabama, where a trial denture is fabricated.
4) DENTURE TRY-IN
Once we receive the trial denture, you will be called and scheduled for your denture try-in. Our dentist will fix the trial dentures during this appointment and check for their proper fit. They will ensure that the dentures are comfortable to wear and the bite is proper. They will also check the artificial tooth’s shape, size, and color. You may be asked to speak a sentence, say numbers, or recite alphabets to ensure the denture fits appropriately and restores proper speech. Once the examination is complete and successful, the dentures will be sent to the lab for final fabrication.
5) DELIVERY OF FINAL DENTURE
As soon as your final dentures are ready, you will be called in for your final denture delivery at Valley Wide Dental in Huntsville, Alabama. Our dentist will again check for the fit and guide you on its usage. There is usually a learning curve with dentures. Dentures may feel odd for the first couple of days; however, with time, you will get used to it and notice a massive improvement in your everyday life.
If you have any more questions or would like to know more about our services, please reach out to us. Our team of excellent dental professionals will be there to assist you in your journey to better oral health and a beautiful smile.
