Today I’ll discuss how immediate dentures work. Immediate dentures are a type of denture that is placed in the mouth immediately after the removal of natural teeth. Here’s how they work:
- Initial Consultation and Impressions:
- Before your teeth are extracted, your dentist takes measurements and impressions of your jaw and remaining teeth.
- These impressions are used to create a model of your mouth, which helps in the design and construction of the immediate dentures.
- Fabrication:
- Using the impressions and models, the dental lab fabricates the immediate dentures. This process usually starts a few weeks before the extraction of your teeth.
- The dentures are designed to fit over the gums and mimic the appearance and function of natural teeth.
- Tooth Extraction:
- On the day of your tooth extraction, the dentist removes your remaining teeth.
- Immediately after the teeth are extracted, the dentist places the immediate dentures into your mouth.
- Initial Fitting and Adjustments:
- The immediate dentures help to protect the extraction sites and control bleeding.
- Initially, they may feel tight due to swelling from the extractions. As the swelling reduces, the dentures may feel loose, requiring adjustments for a better fit.
- Another option would be a heat and fit immediate denture. Read More.
- Healing and Follow-Up:
- Over the next few months, your gums and bones will heal and shrink. This natural process can cause the dentures to become loose.
- Regular follow-up visits are necessary for adjustments. Relining or rebasing the dentures might be needed to improve the fit as your mouth heals.
- Transition to Permanent Dentures:
- Once your gums and bones have fully healed, which typically takes several months, you will be fitted for your permanent dentures.
- The permanent dentures are more precisely fitted to your healed mouth, providing improved comfort and functionality.
Benefits of Immediate Dentures:
- Aesthetic Appeal: You don’t have to be without teeth while waiting for your permanent dentures.
- Protection: They act as a bandage to protect the gums and control bleeding post-extraction.
- Functionality: They allow you to maintain a more normal appearance and the ability to eat and speak during the healing period.
Considerations:
- Fit Adjustments: Frequent adjustments are usually required as your gums heal and change shape.
- Cost: Immediate dentures can be more expensive due to the additional adjustments and the need for a transition to permanent dentures later.
Discuss with your dentist to determine if immediate dentures are the right option for you based on your specific dental health and needs.
