‘I’m so excited to go to the dentist’, said no one ever. But going to the dentist doesn’t have to be a scary trip if you know what to expect. But dentures can help put a smile on your face, help you eat all your favourite foods, and give you confidence, so it’s worth it in the end. If you’re not sure what to expect at the dentist, we’re here to tell you everything you need to know.
If you need a new denture set, you will usually go through the following steps in the process:
- Find the right dentist. Letting someone poke inside your mouth requires a lot of trust, which is why it’s important to find the right dentist. Perhaps you already have a dentist you trust with the health of your teeth and gums, but if not, feel free to look around and see if you can find the right one for you.
- Know your options. Once you’ve got the right dentist and you’re ready for dentures, get informed about the choices you have. It’s important to know which denture would be the best fit for you, as there are many types of dentures out there.
- Consider the costs. Cost is also something to think about, so you also want to figure out which denture is best for your budget. There are different costs associated with getting new dentures, so take that into account as well.
You can also talk this through with your dentist before you decide which type of denture you’d like to get. Your dentist can give you advice to help you make the commitment to the denture that’s right for you, and will also tell you more about the denture procedure.
So, what goes into getting a new set of dentures? There are a few steps you can expect when you go to the dentist and you are preparing for dentures.
- Your dentist will extract any necessary teeth. Tooth extraction is a part of life when it comes to getting dentures, whether you need only a couple of teeth removed or several.
- You may get temporary dentures. Your dentist may recommend you get immediate or temporary dentures to help ease the transition period between tooth extraction and having your permanent dentures made.
- Your dentures will be made to measure. Dentures take a while to be made: your dentist takes the impressions of your mouth, makes the wax models, and then the dentures are cast and created. You can see more here about how dentures are made.
You’ve now been through the tooth extraction part, and you’ve got your first set of dentures, what can you expect out of them? Just like anything new in life, it will take a little time to adjust. Even though your dentures have been made just for you, it’s normal for your mouth and jaw to change after having teeth removed so your dentist will make some adjustments to fix your dentures if they don’t fit properly. You may even need to come back to get them adjusted in a couple of months.
It’s also normal for your mouth and gums to be a little sore at first, but after some time you can make your life easier by using denture adhesive. Adhesive will keep your dentures fixed in place, so that you can chew and bite better, and your gums won’t get irritated.
It’s a good idea to stock up on denture adhesive in advance so you can ease into life with dentures more easily. Fixodent offers a strong formula that provides an all-day hold, allowing you to bite through life with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Denture Process
| Question | Answer |
|---|
| What are the steps for getting dentures? | The denture process steps are:- An initial exam and denture impressions. You’ll discuss your denture options with your dentist and initial impressions will be taken.
- Final impressions and bite registration. Dental technicians take detailed impressions of your mouth to make sure the dentures will be a good fit.
- Wax try in. The dental lab uses the new models to create a wax denture for your mouth to try.
- Delivery and adjustments. The denture is made, and your dentist checks all the fits are good and whether any adjustments are needed.
- Management and upkeep.
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| How many appointments does it take to get dentures? | Usually, it’ll take four to five appointments to get dentures. |
| Can you get your teeth pulled and get dentures the same day? | Permanent dentures take time to make, often 2.5 months. You can get immediate dentures following tooth extraction, which you can use until your permanent dentures are ready. |
| How painful is getting dentures? | Dentures can cause a bit of discomfort at first, but any pain you will feel is usually from your gums being sore following tooth extraction. As your mouth heals, the pain and discomfort should ease too. |
Although you can get on with life as usual with dentures, you may find it challenging to speak and eat at first, and even cleaning dentures can take some getting used to, and that is a normal part of your denture journey. But Fixodent is here for you, whether you need an adhesive to keep dentures in place or tips on how to keep living life to the fullest.
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