What Are Immediate Dentures? A Comprehensive Guide

adriana
Aug 14
3 min read

Updated: Aug 20

One of the most common concerns patients have after tooth extractions is how they’ll live without their teeth during the healing period. That’s where immediate dentures come in. These prosthetic teeth offer a short-term solution that restores your smile right after tooth extraction. In this guide, we cover what you need to know about immediate dentures, from what they are, to how long you’ll wear them, and everything in between.

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What are immediate dentures?

Immediate dentures are temporary dentures that are placed in your mouth right after your natural teeth are extracted. Your dental care team typically crafts them based on impressions of your mouth taken before the extraction appointment. Once your teeth are removed, the immediate dentures can be worn the same day. These temporary dentures help ensure you don’t have to go without teeth during the healing phase. While they are not designed to be permanent, they do allow patients to speak, eat, and smile with more confidence as they recover.

Why are immediate dentures necessary?

Do you really need temporary dentures after extractions? Not everyone may feel the need to wear them. However, there are several reasons why a dentist or prosthodontist may recommend using immediate dentures.

Aesthetic concerns: Many patients are worried about how they’ll look after tooth extraction. Immediate dentures fill in tooth gaps right away, helping maintain your appearance and self-esteem.
Functionality: Immediate dentures help you chew food and speak more clearly in the early days after extraction.
Support for healing: In some cases, immediate dentures can help protect the gum tissue during the initial healing period after extraction. They may also help reduce bleeding.

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What to expect with immediate dentures

Typically, people get immediate dentures as one aspect of their overall journey to getting permanent dentures. Here’s what you can expect from this process:

Initial consultation: Your initial denture consultation will include any discussion of extractions if necessary. Your dentist will set up an appointment for extraction and get impressions and scans of your teeth and mouth.
Extraction appointment: Once your dentist has completed the extractions, they'll place your immediate dentures the same day.
Healing period: This phase usually lasts a few months. You'll continue to wear your immediate dentures so your gums and jawbone can heal and adjust.
Adjustments: While immediate dentures aren't designed to last a lifetime, they still need to be comfortable and fit well. Your dentist can modify the fit or adjust them as needed, so don't hesitate to request adjustments if they fit poorly.
Transition time: Once your permanent dentures are ready, you can trade in your immediate dentures for the final set. Practicing speaking and eating with immediate dentures helps you prepare for your final smile.

Your dental team will guide you through every step and offer recommendations on how to adjust to life with dentures.

Can I wear immediate dentures permanently?

Immediate dentures are not designed to be a permanent fix. They serve as a bridge between tooth extraction and your final restoration. Wearing immediate dentures for too long without replacement or relining can lead to discomfort and gum irritation. They're an important part of your tooth loss process since they support proper healing, but they're not a substitute for permanent dentures or implants.

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Same-day denture tips

It’s important to understand that immediate dentures are not a perfect fit from the start, nor are they meant to be a long-term solution. Consider these tips to make the most of your temporary dentures.

Eat denture-friendly foods: When you're wearing same-day dentures, it's a good idea to eat soft foods (especially for the first few weeks). Stick to smoothies, mashed potatoes, soft fruit, soft cheeses, and light soups.
Consider denture adhesive: If your dentures move each time you speak or eat, it may be necessary to consider using adhesive to hold them in place. Denture adhesives cannot make up for a bad fit, so ask your dentist to adjust your temporary dentures if need be.
Practice speech and eating: It may take a few days to adjust to speaking and eating with your immediate dentures. Practice speaking and eating with dentures daily so you can gain confidence as a denture wearer.

While they’re not meant to be worn forever, immediate dentures are an important part of your tooth replacement journey. If you're looking for dentures in Jacksonville, FL., talk to your local dentist and learn about your options today.