★★★★★
After 32 years in business, North Hill earned our trust the moment we walked in. My new dentures fit better than I ever expected and the whole process was painless.
Margaret T., Calgary
Denture Procedures Explained - Calgary
A plain-language guide to every denturist procedure we perform at our Calgary clinic - what each involves, how many appointments it takes, and what to expect at every step.
Quick answer
Every denture procedure at North Hill Denture Clinic begins with a free consultation and written quote. Conventional complete dentures take 4 to 6 weeks across 4 to 5 appointments. Partial dentures take 3 to 5 weeks. Immediate dentures are placed the same day as extractions with a follow-up reline 3 to 6 months later. Hard relines and most repairs are completed the same day in our on-site Calgary lab. Implant-supported dentures involve a separate surgical phase (3 to 6 months healing) before the prosthetic phase begins.
How Denture Treatment Works at North Hill
Every denture procedure starts with a free consultation. Steve Sailer DD performs a full clinical assessment, explains the realistic options for your case in plain language, and provides a written quote before any work begins. Most procedures are completed in our on-site Calgary lab, which means faster turnaround and tighter quality control than clinics that outsource fabrication.
The sections below walk through each procedure - fabrication, maintenance and repair, and advanced prosthetics - with realistic timelines and what each appointment involves.
FabricationNew Denture Fabrication
Whether you need a complete denture, a partial, or an immediate denture, the fabrication process at North Hill is handled entirely in our on-site lab. Here is what each procedure involves.
Conventional Complete Dentures
Timeline: 4 to 6 weeks, typically 4 to 5 appointments
Complete dentures replace all teeth in the upper arch, lower arch, or both. Conventional dentures are made after extraction sites have fully healed (8 to 12 weeks post-extraction), which allows for the most accurate impressions and the best initial fit.
The process includes an initial consultation, preliminary and final impressions, a wax try-in appointment to evaluate aesthetics and bite, processing in our lab, and a delivery/fitting appointment with same-day adjustments.
Immediate Dentures
Timeline: Placed same day as extractions. Reline typically needed 3 to 6 months post-placement.
Immediate dentures are fabricated before your remaining teeth are extracted, then inserted the same day as extraction so you are never without teeth. Because impressions are taken before extraction, healing-related tissue changes mean the fit will shift over several months. A reline is a normal and expected part of the immediate denture process.
Immediate dentures require coordination with your dentist or oral surgeon. Steve will advise on the timing of impressions relative to your extraction date.
Partial Dentures
Timeline: 3 to 5 weeks, typically 3 to 4 appointments
Partial dentures replace one or more missing teeth while preserving natural teeth. Acrylic partials use a pink base with wire clasps; cast metal partials use a thin, strong metal framework that is more durable and less bulky. The process is similar to complete dentures: impressions, a try-in, processing, and fitting.
Relines, Repairs & Adjustments
Hard Reline
Timeline: Same day in most cases (drop off morning, pick up afternoon)
A hard reline adds new acrylic material to the fitting surface of your existing denture, conforming it to the current shape of your gum and bone. This restores a snug, secure fit and is typically recommended every 2 to 3 years as tissue changes occur. The denture looks unchanged on the outside - only the internal fitting surface is modified.
Soft Liner
Timeline: Same day or next day. Replacement needed every 1 to 2 years.
A soft liner uses a resilient, cushioning material instead of hard acrylic on the fitting surface. Soft liners are recommended for patients with thin or easily irritated gum tissue, flat ridges, or a history of chronic sore spots with hard liners. They absorb chewing forces and provide noticeably better comfort for those who need them.
Denture Repair
Timeline: Most repairs same day or within 24 hours
We repair cracks, fractures, chipped teeth, and broken bases. Our on-site lab means most repairs are completed the same day. If your denture breaks, keep all the pieces - do not attempt repair with household glue, as this permanently distorts the fit. Call us and we will assess whether repair or replacement is more appropriate.
Adjustments
Timeline: Typically completed in a single brief visit
Minor pressure point adjustments, bite corrections, and clasp adjustments are routine and done on-site while you wait. New denture wearers commonly require 1 to 2 adjustment visits in the weeks following delivery as tissue settles - these are a normal part of the fitting process and are included in your care.
Implant Supported Dentures
Implant supported dentures involve a coordinated two-phase process. The surgical phase (implant placement) is performed by an oral surgeon or implant dentist. The prosthetic phase (the denture itself) is Steve's scope. Here is a high-level overview:
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Consultation & Assessment
Steve assesses your candidacy, explains options (snap-on vs. fixed), discusses the complete cost of both phases, and coordinates a surgical referral if desired.
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Surgical Phase
Titanium implants are placed by an oral surgeon under local anesthesia. A healing period of 3 to 6 months follows as the implants integrate with the jawbone (osseointegration). A temporary prosthetic may be worn during this period.
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Prosthetic Phase
Once implants are confirmed integrated, Steve takes final impressions and fabricates the attachment-bearing denture in our on-site lab. The denture is then delivered and adjusted for optimal fit and function.
Learn more about implant supported dentures →
Related ProceduresMouth Guards, Teeth Whitening, and CDCP-Covered Services
Alongside denture work, our Calgary clinic offers a few related procedures handled in-house:
- Custom mouth guards and night guards - sport guards for athletes and night guards for grinders. Custom-fitted in two appointments. Read more.
- Professional teeth whitening - custom take-home trays with professional-grade whitening gel. Read more.
- Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) procedures - we are an enrolled CDCP provider and the procedures above are eligible for CDCP coverage for qualifying patients. Read about CDCP coverage at our clinic.
Frequently Asked Questions About Denture Procedures
Common questions from Calgary patients about timelines, appointments, and what to expect.
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How long does it take to get dentures?
Conventional complete dentures take four to six weeks from initial consultation to final fitting, across four to five appointments. Partial dentures take three to five weeks. Immediate dentures are placed the same day teeth are extracted, with a follow-up reline three to six months later once tissue healing is complete. Implant-supported dentures take longer overall because of the three to six month implant integration period.
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What happens at the first denture appointment?
Your first appointment at North Hill is a free consultation. Steve performs a clinical assessment of your mouth, reviews your dental and medical history, discusses the realistic options for your case in plain language, and provides a written quote for each option. No work is started without your written agreement on the plan and cost.
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How many appointments are needed for new dentures?
Conventional complete dentures typically need four to five appointments: consultation, preliminary impressions, final impressions and bite registration, wax try-in, and delivery with adjustments. Partial dentures need three to four appointments. New denture wearers usually return for one or two brief adjustment visits in the weeks after delivery as tissue settles - these are included in your care.
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Does getting dentures hurt?
The impression and fitting appointments themselves are not painful. New dentures may feel tight, awkward, or cause minor sore spots during the first two weeks as your mouth adjusts and tissue settles. Brief adjustment visits resolve sore spots quickly. Patients getting immediate dentures (delivered the same day as extractions) experience the discomfort of the extractions themselves, managed by the oral surgeon performing them.
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What is the difference between immediate and conventional dentures?
Conventional dentures are made after extraction sites have fully healed (eight to twelve weeks post-extraction). Healed tissue allows for the most accurate impressions and the best initial fit. Immediate dentures are fabricated before the remaining teeth are extracted, then placed the same day so you are never without teeth. Because tissue continues to remodel after extraction, a reline three to six months later is a normal and expected part of the immediate denture process.
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How often should dentures be relined?
Hard relines are typically recommended every two to three years as bone and gum tissue change shape. Soft liners need replacement every one to two years as the material ages. Annual check-ups let us monitor fit and recommend a reline before problems develop. Loose dentures should not be ignored - they accelerate bone loss and cause sore spots.
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How quickly can a broken denture be repaired?
Most denture repairs are completed the same day at our on-site Calgary lab. Drop the denture off in the morning, pick it up the same afternoon. Bring all the pieces and do not use household glue - it permanently distorts the fit and forces the repair to be redone.
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Can I eat normally with new dentures?
Not immediately. The first two weeks call for soft foods cut into small pieces - the muscles of your mouth need time to learn to control the denture. Most patients return to a normal diet within four to six weeks, though some hard or sticky foods may remain difficult. Implant-supported dentures restore close to natural chewing function and allow a much wider diet than conventional dentures.
Patient Reviews
What Our Patients Are Saying
★★★★★
They walked me through every step, explained the pricing up front, and even helped me with my insurance paperwork. I cannot recommend them highly enough.
Robert K., NW Calgary
★★★★★
I was nervous about getting implant-supported dentures. The team made me feel completely at ease. My quality of life is genuinely better. I wish I had done this sooner.
Sandra M., Verified Patient
★★★★★
Same-day relines are a game changer. Friendly staff and fair pricing. I drove across town for this clinic and it was absolutely worth it.
David L., Verified Patient
★★★★★
They accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan which made a huge difference for me financially. Quality work, welcoming team, and zero pressure.
Carol P., Verified Patient
★★★★★
Steve took the time to explain every step and made sure I was completely comfortable throughout the whole process. The dentures look and feel completely natural.
Patricia H., NW Calgary
Free Consultation, No Pressure
Stop Guessing About What Your Dentures Should Cost
One free visit is all it takes to know what your options are, what they cost, and how long they take. We do not bill until you say go.
- Honest assessment from a licensed denturist
- Direct billing to most insurance + CDCP
- Personalized quote in plain English
- 32+ years of doing this in Calgary
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