Receiving dentures, whether full or partial replacements for missing teeth, involves a series of planned appointments with a dental professional. The primary goal of these visits is to create an appliance that fits precisely, functions correctly, and looks natural. For a conventional denture, the number of visits typically ranges from four to seven appointments to complete the fabrication and initial fitting stages. This count excludes necessary tooth extractions or ongoing routine check-ups. The total number of appointments is highly variable, depending on the complexity of the patient’s mouth and the type of denture being made.
Initial Assessment and Preparation
The journey begins with a comprehensive oral health examination, constituting the first one or two appointments. This initial assessment involves the dentist conducting a visual inspection of the gums, jawbone structure, and any remaining teeth. X-rays are often taken to evaluate the underlying bone density and health of the supporting tissues.
The dentist discusses the patient’s specific needs, aesthetic expectations, and material preferences to formulate a treatment plan. If remaining teeth must be removed, the healing period for those extractions must be factored in before fitting the denture. Conventional dentures require eight to twelve weeks for the gums and bone to stabilize before fabrication can begin.
Once the treatment plan is confirmed, the first step is taking preliminary impressions of the patient’s mouth. Using a stock tray and impression material, a general mold of the upper and lower arches is created. These initial models allow the dental laboratory to fabricate custom trays. These custom trays are necessary for taking subsequent, more accurate impressions required for the final denture base.
The Core Fabrication Visits
The core fabrication phase requires three to four distinct visits focused on creating a customized fit and bite relationship. The first visit involves taking the final, or master, impressions using the custom trays. These detailed molds capture the exact contours of the oral tissues and the peripheral muscle attachments. This process, called border molding, is crucial for the denture’s stability and suction.
A subsequent appointment is dedicated to bite registration, also known as jaw relation records, which determines how the upper and lower jaws align. The dentist uses wax rims or record bases to establish the correct vertical dimension and centric relation. This ensures the patient’s bite is functional and comfortable, which is foundational for proper chewing and speaking.
The next appointment is the wax try-in, where the denture teeth are temporarily set in wax on a base. This step allows the patient and dentist to confirm the aesthetics, including the color, size, and arrangement of the teeth, and to verify the bite before the denture is permanently processed. Since the teeth are still in wax, modifications can be easily made. If significant changes are needed, an additional try-in appointment may be required.
Final Delivery and Adjustment Appointments
The culmination of the fabrication process is the final delivery appointment, where the finished acrylic denture is inserted. The dentist adjusts the denture base and edges to relieve any immediate pressure spots and confirms the fit and comfort. The patient receives instructions on proper denture care, cleaning, and a schedule for follow-up adjustments.
The adjustment phase is a mandatory part of the process, often requiring one to three additional visits following delivery. Mouth tissue reacts to the new appliance by sometimes developing sore spots, requiring the dentist to reshape the corresponding area of the denture. A common schedule includes a 24-hour check-up, followed by a one-week and a one-month assessment. The process is not complete until these minor adjustments are finalized and the patient is comfortable using the appliance daily.
Variables Affecting the Total Number of Visits
The total count of appointments is altered by the type of denture chosen, particularly the difference between conventional and immediate dentures. Conventional dentures follow the multi-step process outlined above, requiring several months of healing time after extractions before fabrication begins. This lengthy waiting period results in a more stable and precise fit initially, often leading to fewer adjustment visits later.
In contrast, an immediate denture is fabricated using impressions taken before the teeth are extracted and is placed immediately after surgery. This approach eliminates the weeks-long period of being without teeth, but it changes the post-delivery visit count. Because the gums and underlying bone rapidly shrink and change shape during the initial healing phase, immediate dentures require frequent adjustments and relines in the first few months to maintain a functional fit. While immediate dentures reduce fabrication visits, they substantially increase the number of post-delivery adjustment appointments.