An impression is taken of the upper and lower jaws. A dental impression shown at the right is a negative copy of the mouth made using an elastic material. The impression material has the consistency of pudding when it is inserted with a tray. After about two minutes, the impression becomes an elastic gel and is removed from the mouth.

Dental stone, a stronger version of plaster of Paris, poured into the impressions and hardens to make an accurate replica of the mouth. The plaster is then smoothed with into all of the empty pockets and set aside to harden.

...The denture process takes about one month and five appointments.

Second impressions made of hard wax are made to especially fit the patient's mouth. These wax impressions are cast from the dental stone that will eventually be tested with the patient to make sure for proper jaw alignment and proper fit. The wax blocks are made to record the jaw relationships, proper bite, lip support, smile line, and other important landmarks.

With the teeth in their proper place the dentist can check the occlusion (bite). When the dentist and the patient are satisfied, the dentures are sent to the laboratory for processing of the permanent denture base.