What to Expect When Getting Full Dentures

Your dentist will examine your mouth, discuss your goals and review the health of your gums and jaw. If teeth still need to be removed, we will explain how extractions and healing affect the denture timeline.

Some patients receive an immediate denture on the day their teeth are removed. Others heal before the final denture is made. Each approach has different advantages and adjustment needs.

Records are made of the shape of your gums and jaws. This may be done with a digital scanner, traditional impression material or a combination of both.

A traditional impression tray can feel full or bulky and may briefly trigger a gagging sensation. Breathe slowly through your nose and let us know if you need a pause.

Wax forms are used to record how your upper and lower jaws come together and how much space should be present between them. You may be asked to bite, smile, speak and move your jaw while measurements are made.

The size, shape and shade of the denture teeth are selected with your appearance and preferences in mind.

Before the final denture is finished, the teeth are often arranged in wax so you can preview the appearance and the dentist can evaluate the bite.

You may be asked to smile, speak and make chewing movements. Changes to the position, shape or shade of the teeth can usually be made more easily at this stage.

At the delivery appointment, the denture is placed and checked for fit, stability and bite. We will show you how to insert, remove and clean it.

The denture may initially feel bulky or loose, and your lips, cheeks and tongue will need time to adapt. Extra saliva, changes in speech and difficulty chewing some foods are common at first.

New dentures often create small pressure areas as the mouth adapts. Do not try to adjust the denture yourself. Follow-up visits allow us to identify and relieve sore spots and refine the bite.

Several adjustments may be needed, especially with an immediate denture because the gums and bone change shape as the extraction sites heal.

For wearing, cleaning and eating guidance, see our full denture after-care instructions.