When facing tooth loss, many people hope for an immediate solution to avoid a period without teeth. Traditional denture creation is a multi-stage process that typically requires weeks or even months of healing time after teeth are removed before the final appliance can be made. This waiting period allows the gums and underlying bone to settle, ensuring the final denture fits a stable foundation. However, a much more rapid solution exists for patients who cannot or do not want to be without teeth while their mouth heals. This accelerated approach, known as immediate dentures, allows a patient to leave the dental office with a functional prosthesis on the same day as their extractions.
Defining Immediate Dentures
Immediate dentures are dental appliances that are pre-fabricated and inserted into the mouth immediately following the removal of natural teeth. The defining characteristic of this treatment is that the patient never has to face the public without teeth, providing an instant restoration of appearance and function. They serve as a temporary solution, acting as a bandage to protect the underlying extraction sites and aid in the healing process. This immediate placement helps to control post-operative swelling and bleeding while also helping to maintain the natural contours of the face.
The “same-day” aspect refers only to the placement, not the entire fabrication process, which requires several preparatory appointments. Before the day of the extractions, the dental team takes detailed impressions and measurements of the existing teeth and oral tissues. These molds are then sent to a laboratory, where technicians use them to craft the custom appliance, essentially estimating the shape of the gum line after the teeth are removed. This preparatory work allows the denture to be ready for insertion right after the teeth are extracted. Immediate dentures can be full, replacing all teeth in an arch, or partial, replacing only some teeth.
Steps in the Accelerated Timeline
The procedure day focuses on the surgical removal of the teeth and the immediate fitting of the appliance. On this day, the remaining natural teeth are extracted, often under local anesthesia to minimize discomfort for the patient. After the extractions are complete, the pre-fabricated immediate denture is placed into the mouth right away. The appliance is designed to fit over the fresh extraction sites, where it acts as a protective splint.
The dental professional will make initial adjustments to the denture to ensure a comfortable fit and proper bite alignment before the patient leaves the office. The patient is instructed to wear the denture continuously for the first 24 hours to help manage swelling and bleeding, only removing it briefly for cleaning. The immediate insertion helps the patient begin the process of adjusting to the feel of the denture, including speaking and chewing. Patients are advised to stick to soft foods initially and to handle the appliance with care during the initial delicate healing period.
Essential Adjustments and Long-Term Care
A difference between immediate and conventional dentures is the requirement for extensive post-fitting adjustments. Because the denture is placed over actively healing tissues, the fit will change as the mouth recovers. After teeth are removed, the underlying bone and gum tissue begin significant resorption and shrinkage, which can continue for six to twelve months. This tissue change leads to a progressively looser fit of the immediate denture, creating gaps between the appliance and the gum line.
Due to this shrinkage, the immediate denture will require multiple relines, which involve adding material to the fitting surface to improve stability and comfort. These adjustments are particularly frequent in the first few weeks and months following placement as the initial rapid healing occurs. The immediate denture is considered a temporary, transitional appliance because it cannot maintain a stable fit indefinitely. Once the healing process is complete and the tissue foundation is stable, typically around six months to a year, a permanent conventional denture is fabricated for a precise, long-term fit.