4 Simple Steps in the Denture Process

At Dental Tech, we specialise in creating custom, high-quality dentures that look natural, fit comfortably, and restore functionality. With nearly 50 years of experience, we’ve developed a process that ensures your dentures meet your unique needs. Whether this is your first time getting dentures or you’re replacing an existing set, our approach guarantees a smooth and stress-free experience.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the four essential steps involved in the denture-making process. Let’s get started!

What to Expect When Getting Dentures

If it’s been a while since you’ve had dentures made, or if you’re completely new to dentures, understanding the process can ease any concerns. At Dental Tech, our process is designed to ensure you receive a set of dentures that fit comfortably and function properly.

While we do offer same-day emergency denture services, we recommend taking your time with the process to ensure the best results. On average, it takes about 4 to 8 days to complete the full denture process.

Step 1: Your Initial Consultation and Impressions

The first step in the denture process is a thorough consultation. During this appointment:

Assessment of Your Gums and Teeth: We’ll examine your mouth, gums, and any remaining teeth to ensure dentures are the right solution for you. Even if you currently wear dentures, your mouth may have changed over time, making this step necessary.
Pre-Denture Treatments: If any additional dental care, such as tooth extractions or gum treatment, is required before getting dentures, we’ll discuss this with you.
Taking Moulds (Impressions): We’ll take an impression of your mouth, which will form the base of your new dentures.
Custom Tray Creation: These impressions are sent to our in-house lab, where custom trays and wax blocks are prepared for the next stage.

Step 2: Customisation and Bite Registration

Your second appointment is focused on customising your dentures and ensuring they will fit perfectly. During this visit:

Wax Models: We’ll place wax models in your mouth to determine how your teeth should meet and establish your bite. This ensures your dentures align correctly with your jaw.
Bite and Jaw Registration: Our team will record how your upper and lower jaws come together. This step is crucial for ensuring the final dentures are comfortable and functional.
Tooth Selection: We’ll work with you to choose the size, shape, and shade of the teeth for your new dentures, ensuring they look as natural as possible.
Further Impressions: In some cases, additional impressions may be required using the custom trays.
Lab Work: Once this information is gathered, it is sent to our in-house lab, where we create a mock-up of your dentures.

Step 3: Denture Trial Fitting

This is one of the most exciting steps – you’ll get to see and try on a mock-up of your new dentures! Here’s what happens during the try-in appointment:

Mock-Up Denture: The teeth you selected will be set in a wax base. Although this mock-up won’t fit perfectly at this stage, it gives you a clear idea of how your final dentures will look.
Making Adjustments: This appointment provides a great opportunity to request any changes. We can adjust the teeth’s position, shape, or alignment to better mimic your natural smile.
Take-Home Option: We encourage you to take the trial dentures home for a day. Seeing how they look in different settings helps you make an informed decision before the final set is created.
Final Approval: Once you’re happy with how everything looks, the mock-up is sent back to our lab, where we’ll create your final dentures.

Step 4: Final Fitting and Adjustments

The final step in the process is fitting your new, custom-made dentures:

Final Denture Creation: Your final dentures are crafted in our lab, with the teeth set in a durable, tissue-coloured acrylic base.
Fitting Appointment: During this appointment, we’ll fit the dentures to your mouth and make any necessary adjustments for comfort.
Minor Adjustments: It’s normal to require a few tweaks as your mouth adapts to the new dentures. Over the coming days or weeks, you might need to return for some minor adjustments.
6-Week Review: Even if everything feels perfect, we schedule a 6-week follow-up to ensure your dentures are functioning as expected and to check your bite.

Additional Considerations in the Denture Process

While the four steps above cover the main process, there are a few additional considerations that may arise:

Tooth Extraction Before Dentures

Some patients may require tooth extraction before getting dentures. We need to allow your gums to heal completely before taking impressions to ensure the best possible fit. In the meantime, we can add temporary teeth to your existing denture, if necessary, to help bridge the gap.

Changing Your Mind on Design

Choosing the size, shape, and colour of your dentures is an important decision. However, if you change your mind during the try-in stage, adjustments can easily be made before the final fitting. Once the dentures are completed, major changes may incur additional fees, so we recommend taking your time at the earlier stages.

Post-Fitting Care and Maintenance

After your final fitting, it’s crucial to follow proper care instructions to maintain the longevity and comfort of your dentures.

Follow-up appointments: Even if everything feels comfortable, it’s wise to attend follow-up appointments to ensure your dentures are bedding in well.
Adjustment periods: It’s normal to need adjustments as your mouth adapts to the new dentures. Our team is always on hand to help.

Final Thoughts

We hope this guide has provided a clear and comprehensive overview of the denture-making process. At Dental Tech, we’re dedicated to providing a seamless, comfortable experience for all our patients. Our team of experts will guide you through every stage of the denture-making process, ensuring the final result is a perfect fit for your needs.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the denture process, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our friendly team is always here to help!

You can find Dental Tech Denture Clinics in the following places:

DUBLIN – Whitehall House, Terenure, Dublin 6W – Call 01 4551866

WEXFORD – The Whitemill Medical Centre, Wexford – Call 053 9192999

WATERFORD – Waterford Health Park, Waterford – Call 051 365999