How are Dentures Made and Fitted?

What are Dentures Made From?

Dentures are artificial substitutes for missing teeth and are designed to look and function just like natural teeth. They are usually made from a mixture of acrylic resins, but can also sometimes be made from porcelain.

Who Makes Dentures?

Dentures are made in a lab by a clinical dental technician who specialises in prosthodontics (designing and making dentures). The technician will make the dentures working from the specifications provided by the dentist or prosthodontist (a dentist who specialises in the restoration and replacement of teeth).

What Does the Procedure Involve?

Having dentures made and fitted involves several trips to the dentist.

• The dentist may need to extract teeth or treat any gum disease you might have. If so, you will be given ‘immediate’ dentures to wear while your mouth is healing following the treatment.
• The dentist will take an impression of your teeth so your dentures can be perfectly matched to fit the shape of your jaw and dental ridges.
• An X ray may be taken or the dentist may use computerised jaw tracking technology at this stage to measure the dimensions of your mouth.
• The dental technician will then use this information in make a ‘wax try-in’, which will be placed in your mouth to see how it looks and feels before the permanent dentures are made.
• After making any necessary adjustments to the measurements and fit, the technician will then make your permanent dentures.
• The dentist will fit your dentures, ensuring they feel comfortable, work efficiently and look natural.