Adjusting to Dentures: What should I expect during the first few weeks?

25 Jul Adjusting to Dentures: What should I expect during the first few weeks?

Dentures are valuable appliances for replacing an entire mouthful of missing teeth, but they do require an adjustment period as your mouth becomes accustomed to the device. If you know what to expect and what steps to take to prepare, this transition can be less disruptive.

Modern dentures represent a vast improvement over the devices that your grandparents wore. These appliances are custom-crafted, instead of one-size-fits-all as in past decades. They are made of lifelike materials that can be tailored to match the shade and shape of your natural teeth – or improve upon the smile you once had, if you wish.

In order to ensure that the appliance is designed to your unique specifications, your dentist will take impressions of your jaw that then provide the guidelines for crafting the denture. Patients who are getting upper and lower dentures should be fitted for both at the same time to ensure that the arches fit together properly.

Although the dentures are custom-fitted, patients sometimes feel that the appliances do not fit well at first. This sensation will pass as your mouth adapts to the denture, generally within a few weeks. If you continue to have that feeling or any discomfort after a few weeks, the denture may need to be tweaked a bit. Schedule a follow-up evaluation with your dentist to see if any further adjustments are necessary.

You may find eating and speaking a little difficult when you first have your denture, too. Again, this is a common experience for new denture wearers and will abate with time. Your dentist can give you suggestions of strategies to use for chewing with your new dentures.

Be sure that you know what to do in order to maintain your dentures, as well. After your mouth has gotten used to the dentures, you can begin removing them at night to clean them thoroughly.

You can take advantage of today’s dentures to get an attractive smile and comfortable fit even after tooth loss. With a little patience during the adjustment period, you will get used to your brand new smile in no time at all.

Call The Dental Place for an appointment today.