Dentures are the tried-and-true method for refurbishing your smile after edentulism (tooth loss). They fit over your gums and allow you to eat and speak more normally, improving your daily quality of life. If you’re considering dentures, it’s natural to have questions about the process of being fitted for them. Many patients ask how long it takes so they know when to get started. If you’re curious, keep reading to find the answer!
How Long Does It Take to Make Dentures?
Only your dentist can give you an accurate estimate of how long it will take for you to get dentures because it depends on your individual circumstances. It typically takes anywhere from 6 weeks to 3 months, but timing depends on your specific case. For example, if your dentist needs to extract any teeth for your restoration to fit, you’ll need time to heal which means you’ll be waiting longer for your dentures.
How Long Do I Need to Heal from a Tooth Extraction?
Your dentist must give your mouth time to recover after tooth extraction before making an impression for dentures. If you’ve just had a pearly white pulled, your gums are going to be swollen and vulnerable to infection. Trying to make an impression right away would not only interfere with healing but could also result in ill-fitting dental work. While it varies from person to person, it generally takes about 6-8 weeks for your gums to recover sufficiently to proceed.
How Long Does It Take to Shape Dentures?
Once your mouth has healed, your dentist will schedule an appointment to make impressions. This traditionally involves creating a negative mold of your teeth by biting into trays full of gooey material that hardens around them, forming a reverse model. If your dental office has more advanced technology, it’s also possible to create virtual impressions with digital scanners and imaging techniques. Then, often in the same appointment, they’ll work with you to choose the size, shape, and color for your dentures.
How Long Does It Take to Create Dentures?
Depending on your dentist, they’ll either use the impressions to create your dentures onsite with 3D printing technology or send them to a specialized lab to be built for you. If a lab creates them, it can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks before your dentist schedules your ‘try-in’. They’ll bring you back to test whether everything fits well and note any adjustments that need to be made. This information will be sent along with your dentures back to the lab for adjustments before you have your final fitting. If your dentist can create them on site, however, it’s possible to receive them that same day.
If you’d like more detailed information, ask your dentist. They’ll provide an estimated timeline based on your specific needs and dental condition. Soon, you’ll have a mouth full of teeth so you can get back to life as usual!
About the Practice
At Comal Dental, two dentists offer a wide range of oral health services to meet your unique needs, including creating dentures. They have a special interest in rebuilding patients’ smiles and have advanced training in dental placement and restoration. With innovative, advanced technology onsite, they’re able to provide digital impressions and then 3D print your false teeth so you don’t have to wait for a lab. If you’d like a consultation, you’re welcome to request an appointment on the website or by calling (830) 625-1515.