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Our Guide to Immediate Dentures

August 16, 2017

An immediate denture is fitted immediately after the extraction of teeth either by an oral surgeon or a dentist.

As the clinical dental technician I will take an impression of your mouth with the teeth still in place and in consultation with, and approval from you, manufacture an immediate denture. The following information will assist you to understand the sequence of events during the healing period.
  1. Teeth are removed from your mouth. Stitches may be placed to help the mouth heal. If so, they will dissolve by themselves, unless your dentist tells you differently.
  2. Dentures are inserted to replace your missing teeth and gum tissue. On this day these dentures will feel large and bulky until your gums have healed and shrunken slightly. At which time we may be able to make the dentures thinner and less bulky. The dentures may cause your speech to be altered for a few days. This will disappear soon. We recommend eating soft foods during this healing period. Some weight loss may occur.
  3. Do not take the dentures out of your mouth on the day of extractions, they need to stay in place for the first 24 hours. The new dentures serve as a bandage, similar to a cast on a broken arm, during initial healing. After the initial denture removal and adjustment, you may remove the dentures as needed for cleaning. The dentures may be hard to remove the first time and there will most likely be some discomfort.
  4. Some discomfort is usually present when teeth are removed and immediate dentures are placed. The discomfort is due to one of two reasons: a) The trauma of removing teeth. This will heal rapidly and go away by itself. b) The denture may have a pressure spot. If so, that will be observed and removed by us as soon as you tell us about the discomfort. It will not go away by itself.
  5. If you have been given antibiotics, take them as directed until they are gone.
  6. Use pain relieving pills only until the discomfort has gone. Warm, salt water rinses are highly recommended to help with healing. You may use ulcer creams or gels if you choose to.
  7. Your dentures may be relined with a soft temporary material that makes them easier to wear and speeds healing. That material may be replaced during the healing period. It is not the final denture material. Be careful not to dislodge it when cleaning.
  8. As soon as convenient, place some ice cubes in a plastic bag and place the bag externally on the area where the teeth were removed. This will help to reduce swelling and bruising. However, some swelling and bruising may still occur for a short time.
  9. Healing from tooth extraction continues for up to 18 months. Shrinkage of gums and bone is obvious during that time, but it slows thereafter. We can reline your denture after 6 months as your gums will have settled down by then. You may elect to have a second reline of the denture 18 months after the initial surgery. These relines are not included in your initial fee.
  10. Immediate dentures are a major change to your body. Don’t worry if you are slow to adapt, millions of others have been through this experience. We expect your denture to serve you well for many years.
  11. Please take note that dentures do not work the same as natural teeth and it may take quite some time to adapt to them. During this time eating may be difficult and frustrating and you will most likely need to change your eating habits.
  12. During the first one or two weeks you may notice unpleasant tastes or odours, this is normal as the sockets and your gum tissue heals and will go away. Doing plenty of salt water rinses each day will help.
  13. It is expected you will need to see us quite frequently in the first few weeks as your gums heal, so please phone us if your gums are sore or there is something you are not sure about.
  14. We are here to help… please don’t hesitate to call us if you have any concerns.

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