I Want Dentures: How Long Does It Take to Get Them?

Modern dentures can restore speaking and chewing ability while being virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth. They are also so comfortable that you might be tempted to just leave them in while sleeping (which is actually a terrible idea). Since they are such a popular and effective solution for tooth loss, many prospective patients might ask, “How long does it take to get dentures?” Here are the steps to getting them and how long that can take.

Examination and Preparation

Getting dentures starts with a dental exam, during which your dentist will closely inspect your remaining teeth to determine your best course of treatment and what type of denture best suits you. A partial denture can replace several missing teeth while working in conjunction with the healthy ones. On the other hand, a full denture is used to replace an entire row of lost pearly whites and might require the extraction of any remaining teeth. If your dentist determines that any extractions are necessary, they will explain the process and what to expect from it.

Extractions

If any extractions are needed, the gums will usually take about six to eight weeks to heal sufficiently. During this period, your dentist might schedule you for regular appointments to make sure that the gums are healing properly and see if more time is necessary before impressions can be made. If the gums are still swollen, taking impressions can be uncomfortable and lead to poorly fitting dentures.

Impressions

Once the gums have healed, your dentist will take an impression of your mouth to provide a template for how your dentures fit. A liquid or semi-solid material is placed over your dental arches, solidifying over a few minutes and capturing an imprint of your gums and oral cavity. About one hour later, your dentist will simulate a proper tooth alignment using wax blocks so that you can choose the size, shape, and color of your new teeth.

Manufacturing the Dentures

The impressions and wax blocks will be sent to a lab to provide the measurements for a new set of dentures. After the dental technician has a working pair of dentures made, they will be sent back to your dentist. You will be called into the office for a “try-in”, during which your dentist will check the appliance for fit, function, and appearance.

When you and your dentist agree that the dentures look and function properly, they will be sent to the lab again for final processing, during which they are cleaned and polished before being returned to your dentist. You will then have a final fitting, during which your dentist will make any last adjustments before sending you home with your new teeth. This process ranges between six weeks and three months, given the amount of variance between patient to patient.

All this considered, getting dentures will usually take about three to five months, after which you will have a reliable dental appliance that restores both your smile and your chewing ability. That’s something worth smiling about.

About the Practice

Sunny Dental strives to provide every patient with top-quality dental services in a warm, relaxing environment in Lancaster, TX. Led by Drs. Christopher Duong, John Kuan, Jim Lee, and Khoa Pham, the dedicated staff has the skills and experience necessary to handle nearly any oral health problem you might have. Specialties include general, pediatric, cosmetic, emergency, and restorative dentistry in addition to denture treatments. If you are interested in getting dentures, contact the office online or dial (469) 765-8050.