Immediate Dentures : Everything You Need to Know about
The process of getting dentures usually takes several weeks or more because most people require tooth extractions prior to getting them. Your gums need time to heal before you can wear conventional dentures. However, Diamond Dental offers immediate dentures, which allow you to have a full set of teeth, as well as protect your gums as they heal.
Immediate dentures, also known as same-day dentures, are temporary artificial teeth that are placed on the same day as tooth extraction. In addition to protecting the gums and facilitating healing, this dental prosthetic makes the transition from natural to artificial teeth much easier.
In this article, we’ll explain what you need to know about immediate dentures.
Immediate vs. Permanent Dentures
Both immediate and permanent dentures replace the function and appearance of missing teeth. However, there are a few differences:
Materials used for temporary dentures are average, while those used for permanent dentures are high-quality.
Immediate dentures are designed to be temporary, while permanent dentures are designed to be long-lasting.
Immediate dentures slip around in the mouth because they are not custom-made to fit, while permanent dentures fit snugly because they are custom-made.
Immediate dentures restore appearance- but do not look natural, while permanent dentures offer a more natural look due to fit and material quality.
Process for Getting Immediate Dentures
If you need tooth extraction prior to getting dentures, especially full-mouth extractions, immediate dentures may be recommended to facilitate healing. While the process isn’t complicated, it can take some time. While the steps vary depending on the dentist, here is a general idea of what you can expect:
Before teeth are extracted, impressions will be made of your natural teeth
Extractions will be scheduled to coincide with when your immediate denture will be ready.
Extractions will be done, and immediate dentures will be fitted. If necessary, adjustments may be made to ensure the best fit possible. However, it is important to note that immediate dentures are temporary and will not offer a perfect fit.
Aftercare instructions will be provided, including taking prescribed medications, watching what you eat/drink, avoiding smoking, etc.
It is important to note that you should not remove your immediate dentures for at least 72 hours after the procedure. This is because your gums may swell, which will prevent you from putting them back in. After about 3 to 5 days, you should be able to remove them for sleeping and follow regular denture care protocol.
What to Expect During Healing
On the day of the procedure and for up to 5 days after, you may have some pain and/or swelling. The day of the procedure is usually the worst- after that, it should begin to improve. You will want to rest as much as possible during this time and take all medications as prescribed. Do not remove your immediate dentures for at least 3 days- but you should be carefully brushing your teeth to keep your mouth clean.
By the third day, the pain should begin to subside. In most cases, swelling will also be reduced, though some patients have a slight increase followed by a reduction 1 to 2 days after. You can now remove your dentures after eating to clean them.
After a week, the pain and swelling should no longer be a problem. If you do have either or both, schedule an appointment as soon as possible, as you may have an infection.
After two weeks, you will need to have your dentures adjusted so they will fit better. You will need to do this several times throughout healing to ensure the best fit possible.
Why Should I Get Immediate Dentures?
If you’ve had teeth extracted, your gums need time to heal before you can get your permanent dentures. This means that you would be without teeth during healing, which can often take up to 6 months or more.
Immediate dentures eliminate the problem of having no teeth following tooth extraction, restoring appearance and some functionality while you heal. They are placed on the same day as extractions, and you will wear them throughout the healing period.
Advantages
The advantages of immediate dentures include:
Protect gums while they are healing
Reduce pressure on remaining natural teeth while chewing
Eliminates the “missing teeth” period
Eases the transition from natural to artificial teeth
Prevent swelling, bleeding, and inflammation of the extraction site
Disadvantages
The disadvantages of immediate dentures include:
Temporary solution
Cost as much as permanent dentures
May be uncomfortable because they are not made to fit
Requires additional visits for adjustments as your gums heal
How Much are Immediate Dentures?
The average cost of one standard immediate denture arch ranges from around $600 to $1,000, which means the cost of a full set (both arches) ranges from around $1,200 to $2,000.
There are several factors that impact the cost of immediate dentures, including:
Type and quality
Materials used
Your oral health condition
How many extractions are required
Location of the dental clinic
Experience/expertise of the dentist
Dental insurance coverage
Most dental insurance providers cover a portion of immediate dentures, making them more affordable. Our office staff will work with your provider to determine your coverage limits. Most of the time, insurance will cover up to 50% of the cost. If you do not have dental insurance or if your provider does not cover dentures, we will be happy to explain our financing options. Financing allows you to get the treatment you need and break the fee up into more manageable payments.
Schedule Your Appointment with Diamond Dental Today
If you are already missing some teeth and your remaining teeth are badly decayed or damaged, schedule your appointment with the team at Diamond Dental. We have two convenient locations to serve you: Mount Vernon and Bellingham.
Our team has the experience and expertise to make your transition from natural to artificial teeth as easy as possible. We strive to incorporate the most up-to-date dental technology and techniques to make all dental procedures as painless as possible. We will also work with you to help you understand your recommended procedures so that you will be more relaxed during them.
Immediate Dentures FAQs
If you have any questions or concerns about immediate dentures or any other procedure at Diamond Dental, feel free to bring them up. We will be happy to work with you to help you understand because we believe that an educated patient is a satisfied patient. Below are some of the most common questions that we get:
Are immediate dentures painful?
Pain following tooth extraction is natural but is typically easily managed with pain medications and rest. However, the denture itself should not cause pain. If you are experiencing pain due to the denture, schedule an appointment as soon as possible- a simple adjustment may be all that is needed to solve the issue.
Can I remove my immediate dentures?
Immediate dentures act as a bandage to facilitate healing, so you should not remove them for at least 72 hours. If you do, it’s possible that your gums may swell to a point that you can’t put them back in. After 72 hours, you can remove them after eating for cleaning, but you should immediately put them back in. After about 4 weeks, you should be able to remove them for sleeping.
Can I smoke with immediate dentures?
Smoking has many detrimental effects on your oral and overall health- especially when healing from extractions and other oral surgeries. Smoking can significantly slow down healing, as well as increase pain and/or swelling and increase the risk of developing dry socket or infection. Therefore, if possible, it’s best to quit. If you need help quitting, our staff will be happy to offer you some resources.