Steps in Making Dentures: A Patient’s Guide

There are several steps and appointments required in the preparation of upper and lower complete dentures.

The Consultation

While this appointment is not absolutely necessary, you may want to have more information before having your dentures made. Your denturist can explain various options to you at this time and help you select your teeth. The teeth you select must be natural for you in shape, size and shade.

At this appointment, your mouth will be examined to determine if your tissues are healthy enough to take impressions. If they are not, tissue conditioning and/or a regimen of rinsing with a saline (salt water) solution will be recommended to aid in healing. For severe oral conditions, a referral to an oral pathologist may be required.

First appointment: Impressions

Impressions are required to make stone models which are duplicates of your tissues and ridges. Upon these models, the various stages of denture construction are performed. Your impressions may be taken in two stages (preliminary and final) or by the double impression technique.

The process of taking impressions has been refined to where you seldom experience any unusual discomfort. Important points to consider before you have your impressions taken are:

• Be sure your gums are healthy, without cankers or sores. Accurate impressions cannot be made on abused tissues; a healthy mouth prevents errors in the impression and the resulting denture.
  
  
• Keep your body weight constant. In general, if you lose ten or more pounds, your dentures will start to loosen.
  
  
• Forty-eight hours before impressions are taken, leave your dentures out to allow your gums to relax into their natural state.

Second Appointment: The Bite

During this appointment, your denturist must accurately establish your “vertical dimension” (see related article) and your upper and lower jaw relationship (bite). Instead of asking you to bite into wax, your denturist may suggest a tracing method because it more accurately records your bite. This measurement will eventually be transferred to your new dentures.

Appointment Three: Anterior Try-In

The upper six front teeth, that you and your denturist selected, are the teeth most prominently seen by you and others. As a result, they are the first to be set in wax. During this appointment, you may try these teeth and view them for appearance only. Any desired changes and realignments can be made at this step.

Your teeth are set in the position that will best complement you. The denturist considers the position of the center line (centering the two main front teeth), proper tooth lengths, and sets the teeth at their appropriate angle which in turn provides support for your lips. The teeth will be set to sit level in your mouth when your head is in the upright position.

Appointment Four: Complete Wax Try-In

All the teeth are set into wax, and you can now “try in” these wax dentures. It is the best way to preview your dentures because you actually get to wear them before they are set into hard acrylic. You and your denturist will observe the overall appearance, the vertical measurement, and the bite of the teeth.

This is a critical step that you should not miss. It confirms that all is accurate both functionally and aesthetically. It is highly recommended that you bring a spouse or friend to this appointment to provide an extra opinion.

Appointment Five: Insertion

At this appointment, you receive your new, finished dentures. They will be highly polished and will usually have stippling to make the gums look more natural. In some dentures, you will also see ridges (rugae) on the palate. Your dentures will now be checked for any areas of possible pressure, and for proper occlusion (bite).

With your new dentures, you will receive instructions for proper maintenance, a denture cup, and a denture brush.

Adjustments

Adjustments may sometimes be necessary because new dentures often need to settle in at first. It is strongly suggested that any denture adjustment you require be attended to without delay – it is all part of the service.

NOTE: A well-constructed denture requires time and attention to detail. There are no short cuts!