They say that “patience is a virtue,” but when you don’t know how long you’ll be waiting for something, it’s hard not to become restless and anxious! For the sake of your peace of mind (and calendar), it’s important to talk with your dentist about when you can expect to receive your new dentures – especially since treatment timelines can vary.
While you wait for your consultation, this overview will give you an idea of how long the denture process can take.
Preliminary Treatments
Not everyone needs preliminary treatments; they’re meant to ensure the success of your dental restoration by taking care of oral conditions in advance. If you have a case of gum disease, for example, you would need gum disease therapy – and if you have some remaining teeth that are no longer viable, they may need to be extracted before your dentures can be properly sized.
In any case, remember that you’ll also have to recover from any preliminary treatments. So it might be another week or two before you can start the denture process.
Dental Impressions and Customization
When you’re ready, you’ll visit your dentist to have dental impressions taken. These will function as a mold for your dentures, ensuring that they’ll be the perfect size and shape for your smile. Your dentist will also ask you questions to help with further customization; for example, they might ask you about the general look, feel, and shade you would prefer. Any comment you make about these features will be sent to a dental lab, along with your impressions.
All told, it takes about one appointment to finalize the physical details of your dentures.
Fabricating Your Dentures
Once your impressions and customization notes are in the hands of technicians at the dental lab, they’ll get to work making your dentures a reality. This process is quite involved, and dental lab technicians take great care to make sure your dentures turn out exactly the way you want them to. It’s not uncommon for this part of the process to take two weeks.
Receiving Your Dentures
Rest assured, as soon as the trusty technicians are finished crafting your dentures, they’ll send them to your dentist’s office. You’ll return for one final appointment, where your dentist will present you with your restoration and check to see how it fits and feels in your mouth. Adjustments can usually be made quickly, so don’t hesitate to speak up if there’s something you’d like to tweak! At the end of your appointment, you’ll be free to enjoy your new teeth.
Depending on your needs, a denture treatment can take between a few weeks to a couple of months. When you do finally leave the office with your dentures, you’ll have a full, complete smile for years to come!
About the Author
Dr. Wael M. Kassem has been practicing dentistry for over 15 years. He loves the artistic nature of his work, and is even a member of the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry. Dr. Kassem has a keen eye for detail, and will help make sure that the function and aesthetics of your new dentures will be well worth the wait! To schedule your denture consultation today, call Dr. Kassem’s office at 856-818-9998.