I’m Curious About Dentures; How Long Does It Take to Get Them?

Modern dentures look just like real teeth and can be so comfortable that the patient might forget that they are there. Since they can restore a compromised smile so well, many people living with extensive tooth loss express interest in getting them. A common question raised is, “How long does it take to get them?” Here’s a quick overview of the road to getting dentures and how long the process can take.

How Does the Process of Getting Dentures Begin?

The first step towards getting dentures is a dental examination. Your dentist will inspect your mouth, paying special attention to the health of your gums, and advise you as to the best course of treatment. Sometimes, the patient only needs a partial denture, which can replace missing teeth while leaving healthy ones intact. In other cases, full dentures that require the extraction of remaining teeth may be the best solution. Your dentist will make an educated recommendation and explain every step of the path forward to you so you can understand and feel comfortable during the process.

How Are Dentures Made?

If you need extractions, these must be performed and your mouth must be allowed to heal before impressions can be taken. Healing can take several months. To make an impression, your dentist will have you bite into a gel-filled tray. After you release your bite, the gel will be hardened, producing a negative mold of your mouth. This, along with instructions from your dentist, will allow a technician to construct a set of dentures customized to fit your needs.

Your dentist will also model your new set of dentures for you so you can decide how you want them to look. They may ask you to choose your new teeth’s size, shape, and color. Your new dentures will be sent to your dentist so you can come into the office for a try-in so you can make sure you like the way they look and fit and request any last-minute adjustments. The dentures will then be sent back to the technician to be finalized. The dentures will then be cleaned and polished before being returned to your dentist after a few days.

How Long Does Getting Dentures Take?

All in all, from consultation to receiving the final product, it can take anywhere from six weeks to three months to get dentures. Requiring extractions is a common reason for this process to be on the longer side. While it can take a while to get a new set of dentures, having them can improve your quality of life for years to come.

About the Author

Dr. Mark D. Medaugh comes from a family of medical professionals and earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania as a Pierre Fauchard Scholar. He is a member of the American Dental Association and the Massachusetts Dental Association. His office in Belchertown, MA offers cosmetic, reconstructive, and emergency dentistry in addition to denture treatments. For more information on getting dentures, contact his office online or dial (413) 323-4335.