Immediate dentures, sometimes called temporary dentures, are dentures that are inserted the same day that a tooth is removed. An immediate denture can be a full, complete denture or partial denture. This allows people who need teeth extracted to avoid having to be in public with missing teeth.
The dentures are constructed before the teeth are extracted. The person may need to have more than one dental visit to aid in the construction of the dentures and prepare for the procedure. An impression of the teeth is used as a model the dentures. The back molars may be removed before the other teeth are extracted.
Compared to traditional dentures, immediate dentures or some called it same day dentures, are often more expensive. There may also be problems with the fit of the immediate denture. Regular dentures usually are fitted after the gums have healed from having teeth extracted. Some people may experience pain from immediate dentures, but many people seem to experience no more pain than what would be expected from the extraction itself. Some people even think they had less pain with the use of the immediate dentures.
The lack of time for the gums to heal can cause the fit of the immediate denture to not be as accurate as possible. A person who has an immediate denture will probably need to have follow up visits to the dentist for adjustments. Re-fitting is often necessary.
After the gums have healed completely, the immediate denture is likely to need to be relined for a better fit. The dentist may do a temporary relining of the immediate denture if the person is to receive a new permanent denture. A soft material is added to the underside of the denture for temporary relining. In some cases, the person may only need a permanent relining of the immediate denture. A benefit of getting a new denture is that the person can save the immediate denture and use it as a spare if their new denture breaks.
Immediate dentures allow the person to not have to live without teeth. The person will be able to speak and eat normally after a short healing period. Immediate dentures are not appropriate for every person or for every circumstance. Some health and dental issues can prevent a person from receiving immediate dentures.
