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How Are Dentures Made? A Customized Process Designed Just for You…

Ever wondered how dentures are crafted? You’re not alone! Many patients are surprised to learn that each denture is not just picked off a shelf but is uniquely tailored to fit your mouth perfectly. Let's dive into the fascinating journey of how dentures are made, demystifying the process and uncovering the artistry behind this essential dental solution.

The Traditional Journey of Denture-Making- The art of making dentures has deep roots, drawing inspiration from the intricate world of jewelry casting. Rather than mass production, dentistry focuses on creating a reverse image of your natural teeth and gums—crafting something entirely personal for you.

Here’s how the magic happens at Mid-America Dental Center;

**1. Taking Impressions**

It all begins with impressions. Your dental professional will capture the current state of your mouth with precise measurements. If you have no remaining teeth, we’ll get an impression of your gums. If you’re getting immediate dentures, we’ll document both your remaining teeth and gums. Plus, we’ll gather a bite registration to understand how your upper and lower arches interact.

**2. Creating the Model**

From those impressions, a model is created. A special plaster compound is poured into the impressions, and once it sets, we remove the impression material, revealing a life-sized duplicate of your mouth. This model, combined with your bite registration, is mounted onto an articulator—a nifty tool that mimics your jaw movements.

**3. Crafting the Wax Try-In**

Next, we select a specific mold based on the patient’s arches or matching an existing denture and arrange it in a wax base on the plaster models. Our skilled technician molds the wax to mirror the future look of your dentures. This step is crucial as we try the wax forms in your mouth, allowing us to ensure the tooth arrangement, fit, and bite are just right.

Any adjustments needed? No problem…We’ll work together until it’s perfect!

**4. Fine Tuning with Wax Carving**

After trying on the wax forms, they’re placed back on the articulated models. Here, we refine the fine details, carving the wax to represent the delicate contours of your gums. The carefully crafted models are then encased in a two-piece metal flask, setting the stage for the final transformation.

**5. Setting the Dentures in a Flask**

The next step involves covering the wax dentures with laboratory plaster. Once the plaster hardens, we soften the wax using boiling water, allowing us to create a perfect reverse image in plaster while keeping the denture teeth securely in place.

**6. Pressing The Acrylic Into The Mold**

We use presses to press the acrylic into the mold that’s in the flask, then clamp the flasks together and use heat to completely cure the acrylic that allows it to replicate the gum material exactly. Through a combination of heat and pressure, the acrylic solidifies, creating the foundation of your new denture.

**7. Removing the Plaster**

After cooling, the flasks are opened using a specialized mechanical device, akin to a miniature jackhammer. Most of the plaster is removed, and any remaining traces are washed away in an ultrasonic bath, unveiling your new dentures!

**8. Trimming and Polishing**

Looking rough at this stage is normal—this is where the real refining begins. Excess acrylic is trimmed away to shape the dentures perfectly, while final touches ensure a smooth finish. We may place them back on the articulator for additional adjustments before giving them a shiny, polished surface.

**9. Your Initial Fitting**

Finally, it’s time for you to try on your new dentures! We’ll make any last adjustments right at the chair side to enhance the denture fit, comfort, and function—ensuring that your new smile is nothing short of amazing. Keep in mind, as traditional denture-making involves several intricate steps, minor adjustments are a standard part of this process.

If you're opting for immediate dentures after tooth removal, some steps might be streamlined, but we're dedicated to ensuring your satisfaction every step of the way. At Mid-America Dental Center, we prioritize making your denture experience as smooth and personalized as possible, bringing you one step closer to your beautiful, confident smile and most importantly, it’s usually done in less than a day!