Dental · Dentures · Procedure

Full Dentures: The Procedure, Step by Step

Upper dentures retain by suction across the palate; lower ones have no such surface, which is why they move more. This page covers the full dentures appointment itself — what is prepared beforehand, what happens in the chair, and what the first hours afterwards feel like. Plan for 4 appointments and 8-12 days.

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Quick answer

Each of the four to five appointments runs 30-60 minutes, spaced over roughly a week to ten days for a travelling patient. Impression and fitting appointments need no anaesthetic. Local is only used if teeth are extracted at the same visit or if a bony edge needs smoothing before the plate sits. Upper dentures retain by suction across the palate; lower ones have no such surface, which is why they move more.

Before your procedure

What's confirmed before you're in the chair.

  • Any extractions healed for the recommended period, or a clear plan for an immediate denture that will need relining later
  • A functional impression that records the border seal, not just a quick stock-tray impression
  • A wax try-in appointment scheduled where you approve tooth position and lip support before processing
  • Written confirmation of how many adjustment visits are included in the price
  • A written, fixed price covering 4 appointments — confirmed before you fly, not on arrival
Step by step

What happens during full dentures.

  • Stop 01

    Records check on arrival

    Your scan or photographs are reviewed in person against the remote plan. Upper dentures retain by suction across the palate; lower ones have no such surface, which is why they move more.

  • Stop 02

    Primary and functional impressions

    A custom tray records the border extension and the muscle attachments — border seal is what actually holds an upper plate in place.

  • Stop 03

    Bite registration

    Wax rims establish the vertical dimension and the midline. Get this wrong and the face looks collapsed or overfilled regardless of tooth quality.

  • Stop 04

    Wax try-in and processing

    You see the teeth set in wax and approve shade, shape and lip support; only then is the plate processed in acrylic and finished.

  • Stop 05

    What is specific to this option

    A complete removable set replacing all teeth in the upper or lower jaw.

  • Stop 06

    Debrief and follow-up

    You leave with written aftercare and the follow-up schedule fixed — for this option that means 8-12 days, with 4 appointments in total.

Anaesthesia & duration

Impression and fitting appointments need no anaesthetic. Local is only used if teeth are extracted at the same visit or if a bony edge needs smoothing before the plate sits.

Each of the four to five appointments runs 30-60 minutes, spaced over roughly a week to ten days for a travelling patient.

Who performs it

A prosthodontist or restorative dentist takes the records; the plate itself is built by a dental technician, and the try-in stage should be seen by both before processing.

Right after the procedure

A new plate feels enormous for the first week, saliva flow increases and speech is affected. Sore spots appear where the base presses unevenly — these are adjusted, not endured.

Learn more

Cost and alternatives for Full Dentures.

Compare vs alternatives → See full cost breakdown →
FAQ

Procedure questions, answered

Why does my lower denture move more?

There is no palate to create suction and the tongue displaces it. That anatomy is why lower dentures are the ones most often implant-stabilised.

Can I eat normally?

Soft and medium textures yes; steak and hard apples usually not without implant support.

How many adjustment visits are included?

Two to four is realistic in the first month. A denture priced with no adjustments included is not finished at delivery.

Will I get a reline, and when?

Immediate dentures need relining as the ridge resorbs, usually within three to six months. Ask whether that is quoted now or later.

Can I approve the teeth before they are set permanently?

Yes, at the wax try-in. Once the plate is processed, changing tooth position means remaking it.

How many visits does full dentures need in total?

4 appointments — and 8-12 days. Any quote that compresses that materially is worth a second read, because laboratory and healing time set the schedule, not the clinic diary.

How does this compare with the closest alternative?

Implant-supported dentures fix the movement problem for a fraction of the cost of a fixed arch.

Recognise the signs

Signs it might be time to look into this.

01

Your last teeth are failing

Planning the transition beats emergency extractions.

02

An old denture no longer fits

Ridge resorption changes fit within a few years.

03

Adhesive is part of your daily routine

Daily adhesive use is a stability problem worth pricing against implants.

Specific to this option

Full Dentures: The Procedure, Step by Step: at a glance.

Upper dentures retain by suction across the palate; lower ones have no such surface, which is why they move more.

Sessions4 appointments
Time in Turkey8-12 days
Recovery3-6 weeks of adaptation
Expected lifespan5-8 years

Closest alternative

Implant-supported dentures fix the movement problem for a fraction of the cost of a fixed arch.

Related options

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See how recovery from full dentures works

Timeline, aftercare and what to watch for, day by day.

View recovery guide
In-depth guide

Full Dentures: the procedure in detail

Upper dentures retain by suction across the palate; lower ones have no such surface, which is why they move more. Each of the four to five appointments runs 30-60 minutes, spaced over roughly a week to ten days for a travelling patient.

What full dentures involves on the day

Upper dentures retain by suction across the palate; lower ones have no such surface, which is why they move more. Impression and fitting appointments need no anaesthetic. Local is only used if teeth are extracted at the same visit or if a bony edge needs smoothing before the plate sits. Each of the four to five appointments runs 30-60 minutes, spaced over roughly a week to ten days for a travelling patient.

Who does the work

A prosthodontist or restorative dentist takes the records; the plate itself is built by a dental technician, and the try-in stage should be seen by both before processing. A new plate feels enormous for the first week, saliva flow increases and speech is affected. Sore spots appear where the base presses unevenly — these are adjusted, not endured.

What to confirm before you book

  • Any extractions healed for the recommended period, or a clear plan for an immediate denture that will need relining later
  • A functional impression that records the border seal, not just a quick stock-tray impression
  • A wax try-in appointment scheduled where you approve tooth position and lip support before processing
  • Written confirmation of how many adjustment visits are included in the price

Schedule

4 appointments and 8-12 days are what the plan is built around. Implant-supported dentures fix the movement problem for a fraction of the cost of a fixed arch.

This page is general educational information, not medical advice, and does not replace guidance from your treating clinician. Always follow the specific instructions given by your treating clinic, and contact them directly with any concerns about your individual case.
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