Your denture fitting appointment marks an important step in the process of getting dentures that restore your smile and confidence. At Shreve Denture Clinic, our professional team of denturists understands this process can feel new and unfamiliar.
This blog post walks you through what happens during a denture fitting, how to prepare, and what to expect afterward. Our Leamington denture clinic provides personalized dental care to ensure that your dentures continue to fit comfortably and function effectively.
Understanding the Denture Fitting Process
What Happens During Your Initial Consultation
Your denture journey begins with a thorough consultation. The dentist examines your oral health, discusses your dental care needs, and explains the different types of dentures available. This first visit helps create a personalized treatment plan.
Shreve Denture Clinic offers free consultations with no referral needed. During this visit, the denturist will take impressions of your mouth. These records provide the foundation for creating dentures that fit correctly.
Impression Taking for Custom Fit
Accurate impressions ensure your dentures fit properly. We will place special trays with dental material in your mouth to capture the exact shape of your gums and any remaining teeth.
This process typically takes a few minutes for each impression. These impressions create models that serve as the blueprint for your custom dentures. Whether you need full dentures or partial dentures, precise impressions are crucial for proper functionality.
The Try-In Phase Explained
The try-in appointment allows you to see and feel how the dentures in your mouth will work. This preliminary version shows how your final dentures will look and fit. The dentist checks the fit, making any necessary adjustments to ensure comfort and appearance.
This stage gives you the opportunity to request changes to the teeth’s size, shape, or color. Multiple try-in appointments may be necessary to achieve the perfect fit before the dentist can place the dentures permanently.
Preparing for Your Denture Fitting Day
Medical Information to Share
Important health information to share with your dentist includes:
- Complete medical history and current health conditions
- List of all medications and supplements you take regularly
- Any allergies to materials, adhesives, or medications
- History of dental procedures or oral surgeries
- Conditions like diabetes that affect healing and gum health
- Medications that cause dry mouth, which can affect denture comfort
Sharing this information helps the dental professional address potential issues before they arise. The team at Shreve Denture Clinic creates treatment plans based on your specific health needs when you schedule an appointment.
Dietary Considerations Before Fitting
Eat a normal meal before your appointment. Hunger can make the fitting process uncomfortable. Avoid foods that cause inflammation or irritation to your gums before the appointment. Good nutrition supports healthy gums, which helps with denture adaptation.
The dentist may provide specific dietary recommendations based on your situation and discuss your dental health needs and how to care for your new dentures.
Mental Preparation Tips
Set realistic expectations about the adjustment period. Getting dentures requires time to become comfortable. Understand that speaking and eating foods with dentures takes practice.
Prepare questions about denture type, and proper care and maintenance ahead of time. A positive mindset helps with the adaptation process. The experienced team at Shreve Denture Clinic will provide guidance through this new transition.
The Final Fitting Process
What to Expect During Delivery Day
The delivery appointment marks when you will wear your dentures for the first time. The dentist checks the fit, making necessary adjustments to ensure proper functionality. You receive instructions on how to care for your dentures properly.
The dental professional evaluates your bite to ensure proper function. This appointment typically lasts longer than previous visits to ensure everything works correctly. Dentures are designed to enhance both appearance and function.
Comfort Assessments and Adjustments
The dentist checks for pressure points and areas of discomfort. Minor adjustments improve the fit and comfort of your dentures. The dental professional ensures your speech sounds natural with the new dentures. They verify that your facial appearance looks natural and proportional.
These assessments help create dentures that feel comfortable and function properly. The dentist makes precise adjustments using specialized tools to ensure a comfortable fit. You can always come back in for denture repairs and relines as well.
Bite Alignment Verification
Proper bite alignment prevents pain and ensures denture stability. The dentist checks how your upper and lower teeth meet when you close your mouth. They verify that pressure distributes evenly across your dentures. Correct alignment helps with speaking and eating foods with dentures comfortably. The dental professional may use special paper to identify contact points that need adjustment. This verification process ensures your dentures function naturally.
After Your Fitting: The Adjustment Period
Normal Sensations to Expect
When first wearing new dentures, you may experience:
- A feeling of fullness in your mouth
- Increased saliva production for the first few days
- Mild soreness or pressure points in certain areas
- Temporary changes in speech patterns or pronunciation
- Slight difficulty with chewing until you adapt
- Minor adjustments in facial appearance as muscles adapt
There may be an adjustment period as you get used to your new dentures. The team at Shreve Denture Clinic provides guidance to help you through this period.
Speech Practice Techniques
Reading aloud helps you adjust to speaking with dentures. Practice pronouncing difficult words in private. Speak at a normal pace rather than rushing your words. Count from 60 to 70, which helps with specific sounds. These exercises build confidence in your speech abilities. Regular practice leads to natural-sounding speech with your new dentures.
Eating With Your New Dentures
Start with soft, easy-to-chew foods with dentures like yogurt and pasta. Cut food into smaller pieces than usual. Chew slowly and use both sides of your mouth. Gradually introduce more challenging foods as you gain confidence. Avoid very sticky or hard foods during the initial adjustment period.
The denturists at Shreve Denture Clinic provides personalized dietary recommendations based on your specific dentures.
Care and Maintenance After Fitting
Daily Cleaning Routine
Clean your dentures daily using a soft brush designed specifically for dentures. Avoid using regular toothpaste on dentures as it can be abrasive. Rinse thoroughly after meals to remove food particles. Soak dentures overnight in approved cleaning solution or water. This routine prevents stains and maintains oral health. Proper care and maintenance extends the longevity of your dentures and keeps them looking natural.
Handling and Storage Best Practices
Always handle your dentures over a folded towel or basin of water to prevent breakage if dropped. Store dentures in water or cleaning solution when not in use to prevent warping. Avoid hot water, which can distort the denture material. Keep dentures away from curious pets. These practices protect your investment and maintain the fit of your dentures. The team at Shreve Denture Clinic demonstrates proper care techniques during your fitting appointment.
When to Schedule Follow-up Appointments
Return for a check-up one week after receiving your dentures. Schedule adjustments promptly if you experience persistent soreness. Visit your dentist annually for professional cleaning and evaluation. Return sooner if your dentures become loose or uncomfortable.
Regular follow-up appointments prevent many common denture problems and ensure that your dentures continue to fit properly. Shreve Denture Clinic provides convenient scheduling for necessary adjustments to ensure your dentures fit comfortably.
Addressing Common Concerns
Managing Initial Discomfort
Use over-the-counter pain relievers as recommended by your dentist. Apply special denture adhesive to improve stability if advised. Remove dentures for short periods to give your gums rest. Rinse with warm salt water to soothe irritated gums. These approaches help manage temporary discomfort during the adjustment period. Most initial discomfort resolves within a few weeks as your mouth adapts to the dentures in your mouth.
Building Confidence with New Dentures
Practice speaking and eating in private before social situations. Remind yourself of the health benefits of getting dentures. Focus on the activities you can enjoy with improved oral function. Building confidence takes time but happens naturally with practice. Many patients report increased social confidence after adjusting to their dentures. The dental care team at Shreve Denture Clinic supports you throughout this process.
Long-term Success with Your Dentures
Signs Your Dentures Need Adjustment
Watch for these signs that indicate your dentures need professional adjustment:
- Persistent sore spots or irritation on your gums
- Clicking sounds when talking or eating
- Difficulty chewing foods you could previously manage
- Dentures that slip, rock, or feel loose
- Changes in how your bite feels or aligns
- Discomfort that persists beyond the initial adjustment period
Addressing these signs promptly prevents more serious issues and extends the longevity of your dentures. The experienced dentist at Shreve Denture Clinic provides timely adjustments to resolve these concerns.
Contact Us for your First Denture Appointment!
A successful denture fitting requires preparation, patience, and proper dental care. Whether you need full dentures or partial dentures, the process involves several steps from initial consultation to final adjustments, all designed to ensure optimal comfort and functionality.
By understanding what to expect and following your dentist’s recommendations, you can achieve a smooth transition to wearing dentures. Shreve Denture Clinic in Leamington provides comprehensive denture services, including fitting, adjustments, and follow-up appointments, with a focus on restoring your confidence through comfortable, natural-looking dentures that fit properly and function effectively.
