For the most part, people who get dentures want the prosthetics as soon as possible. They’d naturally prefer to keep their time with tooth loss (and the resulting smile gaps) to an absolute minimum. Even so, denture treatment isn’t instant; it takes time you have to plan around. The good news is that your Marlton dentist can offer some rough estimates of the treatment timeline. To that end, here’s a primer on how long you should expect it to take to get dentures.
Consider The Denture Process
Before anything else, consider how the denture process works. Doing so helps you see why treatment takes as long as it does.
The standard denture procedure has several key steps. For starters, the dentist checks your smile to see whether you need a full or partial prosthetic. They then explain what the overall treatment will involve, ensuring you know what to expect. The dentist follows up this explanation by taking dental impressions of your mouth, which they’ll send to a local dental lab. You’ll receive your final prosthetic once the lab uses the impressions to make it.
Treatment can also include “extra” steps if you’re a special case. For example, the dentist may have to extract your remaining teeth if you need a full denture.
Treatment Timelines Vary
Given the process above, the treatment timeline for dentures varies. Some patients must wait longer for their restorations than others.
Treatment usually takes at least 2-4 weeks to wrap up. After all, a dental lab needs plenty of time to create initial wax mockups and, later, the final prosthetics. The dentist will also have you try the mockups at their office before they send feedback to the lab. When you account for such factors, it’s only natural that getting dentures involves many days.
If you had teeth extracted first, the process runs longer. You’ll have to add the additional 6-8 weeks your gums need to heal before they’re ready for dental impressions.
Dentures are Worth the Wait
Though dentures often take a month (or more) to get, they’re well worth the wait. They offer excellent perks like:
- Easier Eating & Speaking – Through a denture’s artificial teeth, you can eat and speak much more easily than before. It’s just a matter of adjusting to your prosthetic first.
- More Confidence – By providing a full smile, dentures offer most patients a major confidence boost. They should leave you more self-assured among friends, family, and others.
- Better Oral Health – When you have dentures in your mouth, your remaining teeth are less likely to tilt, harmful bacteria don’t gather as much, et.
- Smoother Socializing – You make a better first impression when you have a pretty smile, and quality dentures always give you a gorgeous grin.
It takes time to get dentures, so don’t delay. Start the treatment process now to get your restorations sooner!
About the Practice
South Jersey Center for Dental Medicine is based in Marlton, NJ. Led by Dr. Vidya Kukkundur, our practice always goes above and beyond to help smiles thrive. We thus offer a wide range of comprehensive and tailored treatments, rely on the latest dental technology, and take patient feedback seriously. If you ever see us for dentures, rest assured – you’ll get a top-tier experience! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (856)-596-4333.