Setting a realistic expectation:
A common saying about dentures is that dentures are not a replacement for your teeth: They are a replacement for no teeth. Dentures are much better for your health, aesthetics, and comfort than being toothless, but they’ll never be real teeth. It can be hard to know what to expect from your dentures. Because dentures won’t ever “perfectly” replace natural teeth, there isn’t a guarantee of a “perfect” denture. If you’re expecting your dentures to work just like the teeth you used to have, you’re going to be disappointed. You have to be patient and adjust to wearing your denture to get the most out of it.
It can take time for your mouth to adjust to the fit and feeling of your new dentures.
Dentures after extractions
If you are taking home an “interim”, or “healing” denture, immediately after your extractions, your dentures won’t fit perfectly. Your mouth is changing rapidly after suddenly losing teeth. That’s ok – after your mouth is healed enough to take impressions (usually 4-6 months), you will have a new set of dentures made that will fit your changed mouth much better. For the first few weeks after getting new dentures, you need to be patient to find out how your mouth will adjust. However, this doesn’t mean that you have to try to bear with excruciating pain. If wearing your dentures is unbearable, don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you’re uncertain, it doesn’t hurt to give your dentist or denturist a call to discuss your concerns.
Be sure to communicate your needs with your denturist. We’re happy to help!
What to expect from your dentures in the long-term:
It can take a long time to build up to the point of eating tough, chewy foods again, if you get there at all – again, dentures can’t guarantee all of the same functions as natural teeth, so there may be somethings you won’t be able to eat the same way as before. Your goal in your dentures shouldn’t be to make them work just like your real teeth did: Your goal should be a pain-free, functional substitute. In short: yes, you can expect your dentures to function to eat food and speak, and they shouldn’t hurt to wear. However, the full extent of what you can really eat will probably always be limited. It might take several weeks to a few months for soreness from new dentures to fully go away. Your dentures won’t ever feel exactly like your natural teeth used to. The process is different for each person, so you shouldn’t feel discouraged if it might be taking you a bit longer than someone else to feel good in your new teeth. It can be hard to know what to expect. Clear communication with your dentist or denturist is the best way to ensure you are confident about what you need. You can learn about all the steps in the process, and find out what to expect from your dentures. At Sapphire Denture Clinic, our denturists, Jin You and Anna Uvarov, work hard to make sure their patients needs are met and their concerns are understood. 
