Dentures
Dentures are used to replace all missing teeth for both function and esthetics. The standard type of denture uses no means of anchorage to the jaw bones and relies on a custom fit to stay stable in the mouth. This type of denture works better on the upper than the lower and depending on the amount of bone support can work well for many years. Other types of denture use either remaining teeth or implants to hold the denture in place. This gives a much more solid feel, especially on the lower which is often problematic for standard dentures.
To make a set of standard dentures takes a minimum of four visits. Impressions are taken from which a set of wax rims are made. Next The wax is adjusted to the correct height and width so that denture teeth can be placed. Once the denture teeth have been placed in the wax the dentures are tried in to ensure that the location of the teeth is both esthetically pleasing as well as the bite being proper. The denture is then taken from a wax set and processed into a permanent denture. The dentures are adjusted for changes that cannot be replicated outside of the mouth such as the thickness of the gums. For some adjustments are not needed at all, but for others multiple visits are needed to dial in the right fit. On average two or three adjustments would be needed as using the dentures will reveal areas that more force is applied to.