Getting dentures is a multi-step process that typically takes three to six months from start to finish, depending on whether you need teeth extracted first and which type of denture you choose. The process involves an oral exam, tooth removal (if needed), a healing period, several fitting appointments, and an adjustment phase once your dentures are in place.
The Initial Consultation
Your dentist starts by examining your mouth, jaw, and any remaining teeth. They’ll take X-rays to assess the bone underneath your gums, since the shape and density of your jawbone directly affects how well a denture will fit. They’ll check the health of your gum tissue, measure the depth of the ridges where the denture will sit, and evaluate the roof of your mouth for any irregularities that might need to be addressed first.
If you still have teeth that need to come out, your dentist will plan those extractions. They’ll also discuss which type of denture makes sense for your situation: conventional dentures (made after your gums heal), immediate dentures (placed the same day teeth are extracted), partial dentures (if you’re keeping some natural teeth), or implant-supported dentures (anchored to posts surgically placed in the jawbone).
Immediate vs. Conventional Dentures
This is the first big decision, and it comes down to whether you’re willing to go without teeth during the healing period.
Immediate dentures are made in advance using measurements of your jaw and placed right after your teeth are extracted. You walk out of the office with teeth the same day. The trade-off is that they aren’t custom-fitted to your healed gums, so the fit is less precise. You’ll wear them for about four to eight months while your mouth heals, then transition to a permanent set.
Conventional dentures require you to heal first, which means going without teeth for a period. After extraction, your jawbone needs a minimum of eight to twelve weeks to stabilize. Any denture made before bone remodeling finishes will fit poorly once the healing is complete. The payoff is a more accurate, custom fit from the start. From extraction to final delivery, expect roughly three to four months.
Extractions and Healing
If you need teeth removed, your dentist or oral surgeon will handle this in one or more appointments depending on how many teeth are involved and their condition. After extraction, your gums and jawbone go through significant changes. The bone that used to surround your tooth roots gradually reshapes itself, and the soft tissue contracts as it heals.
This healing period is six to twelve weeks for most people. During this time, you’ll eat soft foods and let your body do its work. If you chose immediate dentures, you’ll already be wearing them, though they may feel loose as your gums shrink. If you went the conventional route, you’ll wait until your dentist confirms the tissue has stabilized before starting the fabrication process.
How Dentures Are Made
Fabricating a set of dentures requires several appointments spread over a few weeks. Each step builds on the last, and skipping ahead leads to a poor fit.
- Initial impressions. Your dentist takes molds of your upper and lower ridges to create study models. These models map the exact contours of your mouth so the dental lab can build a denture that fits your anatomy.
- Wax rims and final impression. A plastic base with a block of wax is placed in your mouth. Your dentist shapes the wax to establish your bite alignment and takes a more precise final impression. This tells the lab exactly where to position the teeth.
- Wax try-in. The lab sets denture teeth into a wax base and sends it back. Your dentist places this trial version in your mouth to check the appearance, bite, and function. Because the teeth are still set in wax at this stage, adjustments are easy. This is your chance to weigh in on how the teeth look, whether the color matches your expectations, and whether the bite feels right.
- Final processing and delivery. Once you approve the wax try-in, the lab replaces the wax with the permanent base material and finishes the denture. At your delivery appointment, your dentist seats the final denture and makes any last adjustments.
Types and Materials
Most denture bases are made from acrylic resin, a durable plastic that can be tinted to match your gum color. The teeth themselves are usually acrylic as well, though porcelain teeth are an option for people who want a harder, more stain-resistant surface. Porcelain can be bonded to acrylic bases using a chemical coupling agent, which strengthens the overall denture and creates a cleaner look.
Partial dentures, used when you still have some healthy natural teeth, come in a few varieties. Resin-based partials average around $1,738. Metal-frame partials cost more (averaging $2,229) but tend to be thinner and more rigid. Flexible nylon partials, averaging $1,761, are lighter and blend in more naturally with your gums.
Implant-Supported Dentures
If you want something more secure than a removable denture, implant-supported options anchor your denture to small titanium posts placed directly in your jawbone. You need enough bone density to support the implants, and if you’ve lost bone, a grafting procedure can rebuild it before the implants go in.
The process is longer. After any extractions and bone grafting, you may need several months of healing before the implants can be placed. Once placed, the implants fuse with your jawbone over another few months. You’ll wear a temporary healing denture during this time. The result is a denture that clicks firmly into place and won’t shift when you eat or speak. Removable snap-on versions average around $2,480, while permanent implant-supported dentures average $3,976.
What Dentures Cost
Prices vary widely based on materials, customization, and whether implants are involved. For a full set of conventional removable dentures (upper and lower), the national average is about $1,968, with a typical range of $1,520 to $3,648. Low-cost options start as low as $452, while premium dentures with higher-end materials and more customization average $6,514 and can reach over $12,000.
Immediate dentures, because they’re temporary and eventually replaced, average $2,178. That’s on top of whatever your permanent set will cost, so factor in both when budgeting. Many dental insurance plans cover a portion of denture costs, though coverage varies significantly between plans. Financing options through dental offices or third-party lenders can spread the cost over time.
Adjusting to Your New Dentures
The first few weeks with dentures feel strange. Your mouth is learning to work with a foreign object, and your brain needs time to recalibrate how you speak and chew.
Speech is usually the first thing that improves. Most people notice lisping or difficulty with certain sounds in the first few days, but this typically resolves within two weeks. Reading aloud or practicing tricky words speeds up the process. Eating takes longer. Soft foods are your starting point for the first couple of weeks. You’ll gradually add firmer foods as your gums toughen and you learn to chew with the dentures. Most people feel comfortable with basic eating within two to four weeks.
Full adaptation, where you can eat a normal diet and largely forget you’re wearing dentures, takes about six to eight weeks. If you started with immediate dentures, expect a longer adjustment of three to four months, since your gums are still healing underneath. Some soreness is normal early on, and your dentist will likely schedule follow-up visits to adjust any spots where the denture is pressing too hard against the tissue.
Ongoing Care and Relining
Your jawbone continues to change shape gradually after teeth are removed, which means even a perfectly fitted denture will loosen over time. Most people need their dentures relined (resurfaced on the inside to match the new contour of their gums) every year or two. Immediate dentures almost always need relining or full replacement once the initial healing phase is over, usually within three to six months.
Daily care involves removing your dentures at night to let your gum tissue rest, brushing them with a soft brush to remove food and plaque, and soaking them in a denture cleaning solution. Regular dental checkups remain important even without natural teeth, since your dentist monitors the health of your gums, jawbone, and the fit of your dentures over time.