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Immediate Dentures

Millions of adults are missing most or all of their teeth, and millions more have extremely damaged/decayed teeth that require extraction. Missing teeth can cause many oral and overall health issues, which is why tooth replacement solutions are so popular.

Dentures are the most affordable option, making them the most popular. If your natural teeth are damaged/decayed, they will need to be extracted first. The team at Sunflower Dental Spa doesn't want you to be without teeth for several months while you wait for your permanent dentures, so we offer immediate dentures.

In this article, we'll discuss what you need to know about immediate dentures.

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What are Immediate Dentures?

The primary difference between immediate dentures and conventional dentures is that immediate dentures are temporary. Additionally, they are not custom-made to fit your mouth, so they often don't fit perfectly.

Immediate dentures are usually placed immediately following tooth extraction and should be worn for at least 6 months. This protects the gum tissue from exposure to bacteria and plaque buildup, food debris, and more. Plus, it gives you a full set of teeth, which improves your appearance and chewing ability.

Most often, immediate dentures are used in a full mouth extraction. An immediate partial is available for those who still have some healthy natural teeth remaining.

Full Mouth Extraction with Immediate Dentures

Full Mouth Extraction with Immediate Dentures

If most or all of your natural teeth are damaged or decayed, the dentist may recommend a full mouth extraction. When possible, Sunflower Dental Spa will do a simple extraction, which means the tooth will be wiggled out of the socket. However, any teeth that cannot be removed with this method will be surgically removed.

Once all of your teeth have been extracted, immediate dentures will be placed. This will act as a bandage to facilitate the healing process.

Immediate Dentures Before and After

If your natural teeth are damaged or decayed, you may have difficulty eating or drinking and you may avoid social situations because you are embarrassed to talk or smile around others.

However, after immediate dentures, you will have a full set of teeth. This will improve your oral and overall health, as well as your ability to eat, and improve your confidence.

Can Immediate Dentures be Permanent?

Immediate dentures are designed to be worn for about 6 to 8 months until your permanent denture is ready. They are not custom-made to fit in your mouth, so they will often slip and slide around and may be uncomfortable. Plus, due to the changes in your gums and jawbone, as they heal and the swelling subsides, they will need to be relined.

Most people don't want to wear them for an extended period. However, they can last as long as conventional dentures if you wish. Many people choose to stick with their immediate dentures instead of switching to permanent ones due to the cost.

Many people also keep their immediate dentures so they have a backup in case something happens to their permanent dentures. However, if you do choose to wear them permanently, you'll need to have them adjusted and relined often to keep them fitting properly.

Immediate Dentures Cost

One of the primary reasons that many people choose to keep their immediate dentures is the cost. On average, immediate dentures cost about the same as permanent ones- but this depends on several factors including:

  • Materials used
  • Experience/expertise of the dentist
  • Location of dental clinic
  • Dental insurance coverage
  • Other procedures needed

The cost for a basic denture plate ranges from around $600 to $1,000, which means a full set ranges from $1,200 to $2,000. The cost for a premium denture plate, made with a metal or mesh liner, ranges from around $2,000 to $4,000 per plate, which means a full set ranges from around $4,000 to $8,000.

Some dental insurance plans cover a portion of the cost of dentures. Our friendly office staff will work with your provider to determine your coverage. If you do not have dental insurance or you need help paying out-of-pocket expenses for your dentures, we will be happy to discuss our financing options with you.

How Long Does it Take to Make Immediate Dentures?

On average, it takes about 1 to 2 weeks to make your immediate dentures, depending on your dentist and the process they use. In some cases, you'll need to undergo multiple appointments before they are made and placed. However, they will be fabricated prior to tooth extraction since they will be placed on the day of extraction.

Immediate Dentures Post-op Instructions

Prior to tooth extraction and placement of your immediate denture, the dentist will go over specific post-op instructions with you. However, there are some general things to keep in mind:

Day 1 after immediate dentures

You will have pain and/or swelling for up to 5 days following the procedure. The first day will be the worst, especially as the anesthesia wears off. You will want to relax and rest after the procedure and take medications as directed.

You will not remove your dentures at all for the first 3 days. You should be careful brushing your teeth but do not rinse your mouth at all.

Day 3 after immediate dentures

By this time, the pain from the extractions and placement of the immediate dentures should be subsiding. In most cases, the swelling will also begin to subside, though some patients experience a slight increase- followed by a decrease within 24 to 48 hours later.

On day 3, you can begin to remove your dentures after you eat to clean them.

1 week after Immediate dentures

By this time, you should not have any pain or swelling. If you do, you should contact the dentist immediately because you may have an infection.

2 weeks after immediate dentures

By this time, you'll need to return to the clinic to have your immediate denture adjusted or relined. This will ensure that they fit properly and won't slip and slide as much.

Are Immediate Dentures Painful?

Pain is natural following tooth extraction but can easily be managed with pain medications. However, the dentures themselves should not be painful. If they are causing you pain, you should discuss this with the dentist so they can determine the problem.

How long can I leave my immediate dentures out?

The first 48 to 72 hours are critical for healing following extraction and placement of immediate dentures. You should not remove them at all because they:

  • Act as a bandage to control bleeding/swelling
  • Improve appearance by providing you with a full set of teeth following tooth extraction
  • Force your gums to mold into the same shape as the denture plate
  • Allows you to eat regular foods instead of sticking to a liquid or soft food diet

If you remove them within the first 72 hours, your gums may swell to a point where you can't put the denture back in.

After this initial period, you may remove them as often as you wish- and you should remove them for cleaning after every meal. However, they should be put back in right away. After about 4 weeks, you can start sleeping without them.

As your gums heal, they will begin to shrink, and the dentures will loosen. Therefore, you should have them relined every 2 to 3 months. After about 6 months, your gums should be fully healed, and you will be able to get your permanent dentures.

Smoking After Immediate Dentures

If you are having damaged/decayed teeth extracted and getting dentures, even if you're not getting an immediate denture, it's best to stop for at least 3 to 4 weeks. Research has proven that smoking slows recovery, as well as:

  • increases the risk of severe, prolonged pain due to the delay in healing
  • increases the risk of developing a "dry socket", which is a condition in which the blood clot becomes dislodged, resulting in jaw pain
  • increases the risk of infection

Smoking has been linked to many oral and overall health issues, so it's best to give up the habit completely. If you need help quitting, the team at Sunflower Dental Spa will be happy to direct you to some resources.

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Schedule Your Visit to Sunflower Dental Spa

Your teeth are important for your oral and overall health. Unfortunately, many people are missing most or all of their teeth. If you are among this group of people in Rockledge, Florida, schedule your consultation at Sunflower Dental Spa.

Our dentists have the experience and expertise to give you a picture-perfect smile with tooth replacement options. Temporary dentures are a great place to start your tooth replacement journey.

We are located on US Highway 1 in Rockledge, FL. Our office hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Monday through Friday.

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