What to expect with Immediate Dentures

What are immediate dentures?

An immediate denture is a removable appliance that is placed at the time the teeth are extracted and acts as a band aid for the first 24 hours after the procedure to help assist with the bleeding. The immediate denture’s purpose is to provide a certain amount of function and esthetics while we wait for your oral tissue to heal. This process is known as bone resorption or bone remodeling process and can take anywhere from 6 to 18 months. During this time, you will more than likely need to use denture adhesives such as Fixodent or Sea Bond.

A commonly asked question during the healing process is “why are my dentures loose?” It is important to understand there is no such thing as a “permanent denture”. As humans, our bone remodels itself continually. This includes the bone in our mouths. Because your bone and gingiva will continue to change shape over time, even well-made dentures will need to be remade at some point in the further. Dentures can las several years, but usually need some degree of maintenance as your tissue changes. With immediate dentures, you may notice the denture is loose immediately following your extractions. A member of our team will help coach you through this process by scheduling adjustment appointments periodically throughout your healing process, as needed.

What to expect from an immediate denture

An immediate denture is simply what it says.  It is a denture that is placed immediately after the teeth have been extracted.  An immediate denture cannot and will not function or feel like a denture that is placed on oral tissue that has already healed.  However, it does provide a certain amount of function and esthetics while we wait for your oral tissue to heal.  Everyone’s healing time is different.  Generally, the younger and healthier you are, the quicker you heal.  You should expect the healing process to take anywhere from 9 to 18 months.  Once your tissue is healed, you will need to reline the immediate denture in order to make it fit your healed tissue.  Alternatively, you can have a totally new denture made.  To help you decide whether immediate dentures is the best treatment for you, we have listed the main advantages and disadvantages below.  As a general rule, it is strongly recommended that you do immediate dentures versus just extracting your teeth and waiting for them to heal before you obtain a denture.

As a note, there is no such thing as a “permanent denture.”  As humans, our bone remodels itself continually.  This includes the bone in our mouths.   Because your bone and gingiva will continue to change shape over time, even well-made dentures will need to be adjusted or remade at some point in the future.  Dentures can last several years, but they usually need some degree of maintenance as your tissue changes. 

Advantages

The advantages of immediate dentures far outweigh the disadvantages.  Some of the advantages include:

• You never have to be toothless.  Generally, people that have no teeth or badly decayed teeth feel ashamed to go out into the public or to smile.
• When immediate dentures are inserted, they act as a bandage and promote healing of the extraction sites. They help prevent “dry sockets (alveolar osteitis).”
• They help prevent excess bleeding and the chances of having an upset stomach due to swallowing blood.
• Immediate dentures protect the tissues at the extraction sites from the chewing of food and opposing teeth and bone.  Without the protection of a denture, your bone after extractions will deform easily and make future denture success much more challenging.
• They also prevent food from getting stuck in the extraction sites, which can cause pain, delayed healing, or a foul odor.  
• Without an immediate denture, your tongue will have access to the extraction sites and the sutures that are there to promote the healing process.  That will slow the healing process and possibly be annoying and cause discomfort.
• Immediate dentures can enable you to establish your speech patterns more easily.  You do not have to learn to speak without teeth and then relearn once dentures are made.
• If dentures do not replace the natural teeth within a short time, the cheeks tend to fall in.
• If you remain without teeth for some time, you may develop oral habits that will interfere with your ability to learn how to use dentures properly.

Disadvantages

There are some people for whom immediate dentures are not advisable because of their general health or specific oral problems.  Below is a list of some disadvantages of immediate dentures:

• You will likely get some sore spots where the denture irritates your gingiva.  You should plan on needing at least one adjustment, but you might need several adjustments as your tissue heals.
• Your tissues shrink as you heal, so the denture will get looser during this time.  You will need to use a denture adhesive at some point.  Another option is to get a soft liner for the denture, which will mold precisely to your gingiva and give you a perfect fit at that time.  
• Because some of your teeth are still in place, you cannot preview how the dentures will look in your mouth.  Occasionally, we are not totally pleased with the esthetics.
• Immediate dentures are more expensive than conventional dentures because of the additional time required for their construction.

What to expect when the denture is first placed

• For the first 24 hours, DO NOT REMOVE the denture. The denture will control the bleeding and actually cause minimal discomfort.
• Some swelling is to be expected after extractions. To keep the swelling to a minimum, and to help stop the bleeding, hold an ice pack to the areas of the jaw where teeth have been extracted. 15 minutes on, and 15 minutes off.
• For discomfort take Tylenol or any medication you might be prescribed.
• Remove the denture 4 or 5 times a day after the first day and gently rinse the mouth with warm salt water. Do this for the first week. You may sleep with the denture in place.
• You should eat soft foods for the first week, then gradually determine what you can handle without pain. 
• What you once ate with ease may now be very difficult.
• For the first 1-2 weeks, up to 1000 mg of vitamin C a day will promote and aid the healing of oral tissues. Refraining from alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking/vaping would also be beneficial.
• You will find that a denture adhesive will be necessary to help hold the denture in place.
• If you develop any sore spots or need anything at all, call our office at 681-207-7063 so that we may take care of it as soon as possible.