Immediate dentures are artificial teeth inserted on the same day immediately after removing natural teeth. They are also known as Temporary Dentures.
During a tooth extraction, you can request complete or partial dentures. Taking immediate dentures is the right choice if you do not want to feel embarrassed whenever you smile.
When immediate dentures are inserted on the upper jaw, they are called maxillary immediate dentures. In the same way, immediate dentures for the lower jaw are known as immediate mandibular dentures.
A partial immediate denture replaces one or more teeth from either jaw upon tooth extraction.
Who needs an immediate denture?
Immediate dentures apply when you lose one, a few, or all teeth from either jaw.
Tooth loss can result from tooth decay, gum disease, and dental avulsion.
Also, patients with irregularly spaced teeth and hopeless ones can opt for immediate denture treatment.
People with gag reflexes, dexterity problems, and unfavorable jaw anatomy may be candidates for immediate dentures.
You may select immediate dentures if you cannot tolerate oral surgery due to poor health and medical conditions.
What do immediate dentures look like?
Immediate dentures are similar to natural teeth. They function similarly and allow one to eat normally without any complications. Their colors are similar to that of natural teeth.
They have the same size, shape, and tooth structures as natural teeth.
What is the process for immediate dentures?
The first phase is seeking consultation, where the dentist will examine your mouth and understand your medical history.
They will discuss what you can expect from immediate dentures and give you a treatment plan.
The second phase is tooth evaluation. The dentist x-rays your teeth and takes photographs. The bites and models of your mouth are registered.
The dentist designs the immediate denture that is realistic and similar to your natural teeth in form, size, shape, and color.
The tooth fabrication phase follows after your bite impressions and tooth models have been accurately recorded. This phase requires several appointments, which can take one week or more.
The fourth phase is the surgical phase, where the tooth is extracted, and an immediate denture is given.
The final part of the process involves teaching you how to care for and clean immediate dentures after tooth replacement for the given period. This is to ensure no bleeding and swelling of the jaws.
How long can you wear immediate dentures?
For proper recovery, you should put the immediate dentures for 24 hours immediately after their insertion in the jaw. This will provide adequate time for the formation of underlying tissues and ensure proper healing.
Wearing immediate dentures also depends on whether they are partial or full.
Full immediate dentures can be worn for 6-8 months until the jaw sockets are filled to allow the formation of new bone. However, you can delay a week or two before putting them on for partial dentures.
How to clean immediate dentures?
The care of immediate dentures starts immediately after the tooth extraction.
- Rinse the immediate denture carefully in cold water.
- Use a denture brush to scrub the outside and inside of the denture.
- Do not use toothpaste, denture cleaners, or soap detergent during the washing process.
- Once the denture is clean, place it on a clean surface and brush your mouth slowly and gently using a pinch of table salt and warm water.
- Put the immediate denture in your mouth and clean the natural teeth and dentures together.
- Note that use of hot water while cleaning can deform immediate dentures. Avoid using bleaching products since they can change the color of the denture and even weaken them.
- Do not leave them out to dry in sunny or hotter conditions since they can easily warp.
Also Read: Denture Care: 8 Easy Tips
Advantages of immediate dentures
- Immediate dentures help you have temporary teeth, making you have cute smiles and even talk freely in public.
- Making immediate dentures is easy.
- They act as bandages upon insertion into jaws; thus, they help reduce bleeding and severe pain.
- The immediate dentures prevent and protect tissues from the irritation which may be caused by rubbing of tongue or food.
- You cannot chew or eat properly without immediate dentures upon tooth extraction.
Disadvantages of immediate dentures
- The treatment costs of relining and replacing immediate dentures are high. Many people cannot afford them.
- Immediate dentures may not fit your mouth correctly. Before extracting your natural teeth, you will not know what the immediate dentures will look like in your mouth.
- The replacement process of the immediate dentures takes a long time, usually a maximum of 6 months, which might result in a change in tissue formation patterns.
- Immediate dentures can result in health complications, such as bleeding and tooth cavities.
- The use of wrong dentures for replacement may configure teeth patterns and structures.
- Dentures can easily warp, change in color or deform if you use hot water and bleaching agents to clean them.
How long do immediate dentures last?
The lasting period of immediate dentures depends on whether you keep them in your jaws or remove them from your jaws. Permanent dentures last longer due to their superior fit.
You are required to wear immediate dentures from six months to one year. You need to wear them daily to help heal your mouth.
How much are temporary dentures?
Immediate dentures involve moderate to high treatment costs depending on the treatment process and time required to complete treatment.
The average cost of immediate dentures is $ 1900. However, the prices range from $1000-$3000 for complete treatment.
You may need to spend more if your treatment includes tooth evaluation, surgery, adjustments, and denture relines.
How soon can I use adhesive on temporary dentures?
The dentist can recommend using denture adhesive if you need to stabilize your dentures onto the gums to ensure comfort during eating and talking.
The application of denture adhesive is always done two weeks after tooth extraction.
Adhesives are also applied when you take cold medicines that may dry your mouth and weaken your dentures.
You may also opt for denture adhesive when you need your teeth to heal faster.
However, you must remove and clean the denture adhesive every night.
Sources:
- The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. 2016 Sep;116(3):314-9.
- https://dentistry.uiowa.edu/immediate-dentures
- International Journal of Science and Healthcare Research
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