Immediate Dentures

Extract and Replace Your Natural Teeth in the Same Visit

Throughout the various stages of life from childhood to adolescence to adulthood, you rely on your teeth for such fundamental purposes as biting and chewing as well as speaking and smiling.  In fact, these are all routine actions performed multiple times every day, so there might be a natural tendency to basically take your teeth for granted.

But imagine having to spend a period of time without the use of your teeth, even as little as just one or two days, in relation to both loss of function and the impact on your appearance and facial symmetry.  The vast majority of people would likely prefer to avoid this scenario.

In some cases, however, circumstances may dictate a need to extract all of your remaining natural teeth.  When this is recommended as an appropriate course of action, patients may choose the alternative of immediate dentures – the insertion of new teeth at the same time that their natural teeth are extracted – to alleviate any concerns or possible embarrassment associated with not having any teeth, regardless of how temporary or short the time period.

Immediate Dentures Offer Short-Term and Long-Term Benefits

Immediate dentures are manufactured from impressions made of your natural teeth before they are extracted.  The dentures are then inserted into your mouth in the same office visit or appointment during which your natural teeth are removed, hence the term ‘immediate’. 

Patients can appreciate a number of benefits from these types of dentures, including:

  • Having their new teeth in place essentially instantaneously
  • Replacement teeth that will perform just like natural teeth
  • Protecting tender gums during post-extraction healing time
  • An appearance/smile which resembles that of natural teeth

Should the option of immediate dentures have appeal, it would be important to note some of the supplemental after-care steps within the overall process:

  • Post-surgical recovery
    • Brief convalescence period at home
    • Follow-up office visit on the first day post-surgery
    • Application of cold packs for several days to reduce swelling
  • Immediate dentures will remain in place for a number of months
    • Oral tissues will begin to recede as swelling decreases/healing occurs
    • Bone and oral tissues will likely continue to contract for a few months
    • Office visits will be needed during this period to insert temporary liners
  • Patients will then receive a permanent reline or new dentures after 12 months

If the recommended course of therapy is the removal of your natural teeth, call the experts at Onyx Denture and Implant Clinic today at 403-995-0852 or contact us to discuss your alternatives, including the short-term and long-term benefits of immediate dentures.