If your dentures don’t fit you properly when you first get them, then any oral health problems that you suffer in the initial few days are only going to get worse. That is why dental surgeries take such care to make sure that the dentures fit each patient perfectly. If you lose teeth in an accident or are told that you must have your teeth removed because of decay, your dentist will probably suggest dentures or false teeth and will also be able to advise you on the best type of treatment, according to your age, how many teeth need replacing and offer advice concerning any other health issues that you have.
What does the process involve?
The process of fitting dentures or false teeth is pretty similar for each make of denture, no matter what type of denture you have. The first step is to have a consultation with the dentist to discuss your options. If you are having some teeth removed because they are damaged, you can even have your dentures consultation before the extraction, so that the time you are without teeth is kept to a bare minimum. At the consultation, the dentist will go over your options, including some of the more modern methods that involve some oral surgery, implants and bridges. At this time, the dentist will want to carry out an oral examination to see what state your gums and jaw is in, as this will be a deciding factor on what kind of dentures your mouth will be able to tolerate.
Once those decisions have been made, then the dentist, or perhaps a specialist member of staff, will take all the measurements necessary to create a set of dentures that not only fit perfectly, but look great in the patient’s mouth. Whether this is making sure that one or two false teeth match the patient’s natural smile or helping the patient choose things like colour and size for a full set of dentures, part of the dentist’s job is to make sure you are getting a smile you will be happy with for the rest of your life.
How are measurements taken?
The measurements are taken in a number of different ways. Often, the dentist will take an X-ray, to get a better picture of the shape of the patient’s jaw. An impression of the teeth and gums will also be taken, using a plastic tray filled with putty. The patient will have to bite into this putty so that the dentist, and the denture manufacturers, can see a 3D picture of their mouth. These days, some surgeries have new ways of creating this 3D image, using scanning technology, but many dentists will also rely on the good old fashioned methods too. Most dentists will double check these measurements by creating their own wax model of the dentures from these 3D models or scans. This will help both them and the patient check that any dentures created using these measurements will fit securely and comfortably.
Once all the measurements have been taken, the dentist will send them away to a specialist company who manufacture dentures. When he has received them, you will be called back in for a fitting. It is very important that you have your dentures checked and fitted by a professional and don’t just assume that all the measurements were correct and were followed accurately, or you could end up suffering for no reason. If the dentures fit, and both of you are happy with how they feel and look, then you will be sent home, and probably asked to return in a few weeks, so your dentist can check for any problems you may have not noticed. The patient will also be given advice and information on how to take care of their dentures, to ensure that they stay in good condition and fit comfortably for as long as possible.