Last Updated on January 7, 2025 by
Dentures offer patients a functional and esthetic replacement for their missing teeth. A dental laboratory fabricates dentures using modern equipment and dental skills to verify that each set is customized to suit the patient. Here is more information about the process of fabricating dentures in a dental laboratory:
Taking Impressions
Creating dentures starts at the dental clinic, where the dentist examines the patient’s mouth. In this stage, the dentist measures and makes impressions of the gums, existing teeth, and the bite position. These impressions guide the dental lab in fabricating dentures that suit the patient. The impressions are made using dental trays containing an alginate or silicone material. After the material hardens, it takes the exact shape and form of the patient’s oral cavity and structures. Along with the impressions, the dentist may take a bite registration. The bite registration confirms that the dentures will offer the right alignment and function.
Creating the Initial Models
The dental lab technicians then pour plaster or dental stone into the molds to make a more accurate cast of the patient’s mouth. The cast serves as a model of the oral cavity, which helps the lab create dentures. The model is then polished to remove any irregularities that may have been left behind. Technicians also employ this model to create a base plate and wax rim utilized in the next fitting session. The wax rim assists the dentist in establishing the vertical dimension, the midline, and the patient’s smile line.
Sending the Wax Try-Ins
The wax try-in helps determine whether the dentures will be functional and aesthetically pleasing to the patient. The lab uses the base plate and wax rim to produce a set of dentures with wax teeth arranged on them. These teeth are most often made of acrylic or porcelain. Acrylic or porcelain are chosen according to the patient’s desired color, shape, and size.
During the try-in appointment, the dentist inserts the wax model into the patient’s mouth. This step enables the dentist and the patient to assess the dentures’ aesthetics, retention, and occlusion. Some modifications can be made to the wax model before proceeding to the final stages of production.
Completing the Final Denture Designs
After the wax try-in, the lab fabricates the final dentures. The lab places the wax model in a dental flask, where they add plaster to form a mold around the wax model. Once the wax melts, acrylic resin is packed into the mold to create the final denture base. The lab cures the resin under heat and pressure to increase its hardness and density. After the curing process, they remove the dentures from the mold and then carefully polish them. Polishing makes them smooth and gives them a natural look.
Articulating the Dentures
Articulating the dentures confirms that they give the patient a good bite and do not restrict jaw movement. The dental lab technicians check the dentures for proper alignment and balance using an articulator, a device that imitates the movement of the jaw. They fine-tune any irregularities by modifying the surface of the denture. This step also involves polishing the dentures’ occlusal (biting) surfaces.
Finishing the Staining and Customizations
Contemporary dentures are made to resemble natural teeth as much as possible through staining and customization processes. The dental lab can then apply various colors and surface patterns to the acrylic base to resemble the gums. The teeth can also be stained to mimic the color, opacity, and minor defects of the patient’s natural teeth. This attention to detail confirms that the dentures look natural and fit the patient’s facial structure.
Partner With a Dental Lab Today
Denture-making in a dental lab requires attention to detail at every stage. From the first step to the final fitting, they verify that the dentures meet the functional and esthetic requirements of the patient. Dentists need to find reliable dental labs that will help with the denture process. Start your search for a lab that offers comprehensive services today.
