There are several steps that need to be taken into account while getting dentures.
Initial consultation
Your dentist will assess your needs and thoroughly examine your mouth for suitability for dentures, looking at:
All your existing teeth, to see whether any mobile teeth need to be removed before getting new dentures. Looking at existing restorations, fillings, crowns etc. The health of your gums, to make sure there is no infection present. The way the teeth bite together If you have no natural teeth, accessing your gums and underlying bone. The procedure will be explained to you and a treatment plan will be given stating all the stages and the costing.
Generally, from 2 up to 4 appointments will be necessary for Quality Teeth Dentures in Auckland as dentures are made in stages. The stages are the same whether you are having Full dentures or Partial dentures. The only exception being an ‘Immediate denture’ when a tooth is extracted, and the denture is fitted immediately to replace the missing tooth. This denture will then have to be adjusted or replaced in 3 to 6 months after the extraction.
The Procedure
Appointment One – Impressions (moulds) will be taken of both your upper and lower teeth. These are then sent to the dental laboratory where the technician will fabricate a ‘special’ tray designed to fit your mouth perfectly and a wax bite block to record the way your teeth bite together.
Appointment Two – using a ‘special tray’ which the technician makes, impressions will be taken again to ensure accuracy of the mould for your teeth and gums. A registration of how your teeth bite together will be recorded using the wax bite block. Both the impression and wax block are sent to the laboratory where our technician will construct a trial denture. The shade of the teeth will also be taken at this stage.
Appointment Three – The trial denture; The teeth are now set in wax, for Cobalt Chrome dentures the metal framework is completed, and the teeth are attached to the framework with wax. Your dentures will be tried in to ensure that it fits correctly, is comfortable and the teeth bite together correctly, any adjustments will be made at this stage. Finally, for the last stage of completion, your dentures are returned again to the Laboratory.
Appointment Four – your dentures will be fitted.