Dental Dentures

Immediate Denture

What is an immediate denture?

An immediate denture is a complete denture or partial denture inserted on the same day, immediately following the removal of natural teeth.

What are the advantages of an immediate denture?

There are several advantages of an immediate denture. The most important factor is that you will never need to appear in public without teeth. It is also easier to duplicate the shape, color and arrangement of your natural teeth while some are still present in your mouth. When an immediate denture is inserted at the time of extraction, it will act as a Band-Aid to protect the tissues and reduce bleeding. An immediate denture will allow you to establish your speech patterns early. You will not have to learn to speak without a denture in place and then later relearn to speak with a new denture. An immediate denture will also allow you to chew better than without any teeth and minimize facial distortion that may occur when teeth are removed.

What are the disadvantages of an immediate denture?

The biggest disadvantage is the increased cost. Another disadvantage is that you cannot always see how the denture will look before the teeth are extracted and the immediate denture is inserted. Also, initially, an immediate denture does not always fit as accurately as a conventional denture, which is made after the tissues have healed for six to eight weeks following extractions, and without wearing a denture.

Why does an immediate denture cost more?

An immediate denture is initially more expensive than a conventional denture because additional time is needed for construction. A surgical stent (a guide for recontouring tissues after extraction) is often necessary and more follow-up visits are needed for adjustments and re-fitting. A soft temporary reline material will be utilized for re-fitting your denture when it becomes loose during the healing process. After the soft tissues have healed and shrinkage of the underlying bone has occurred, (about six months following extractions), the immediate denture must be finalized by a permanent reline or new denture. At this time, you will be charged for either a reline or a new denture, depending on your choice.

Is an immediate denture for everyone?

Not everyone is a candidate for an immediate denture. Some people may be advised against this treatment, due to general health conditions, or because of specific oral problems.

How long does it take to complete?

Four to five visits may be necessary for the fabrication phase of an immediate denture, plus any preliminary surgery. For patients requiring a complete immediate denture, the back teeth are often extracted six to eight weeks prior to the fabrication phase. This allows the extraction sites to heal and a better-fitting immediate complete denture to be fabricated.

The fabrication phase consists of impressions, bite records, tooth selection and try-in of the back teeth. On the day of delivery, you will be seen in oral surgery for extraction of the appropriate teeth, followed immediately by the insertion of the immediate denture.

Complete Dentures

Information about complete dentures

Some people have many difficulties with their natural teeth and believe that having them pulled and getting dentures will solve all their problems. You may know someone with dentures that fit perfectly and who won't have to worry about their teeth again, but many people have life-long problems with their dentures. The following information, concerning some of the challenges a person might face with the placement of dentures, may be helpful:

  1. Some of the difficulties and problems associated with wearing dentures include: difficulties with speaking and eating; food under dentures; function; loose dentures; lack of retention; need for adhesives; feeling of fullness; and poor ridge relationship (i.e. Class II), as well as the probable need for future relines and remakes.
  2. It is necessary for immediate dentures to be relined or remade, usually within six months. Because this is due to shrinkage of the gums, not problems with the way the dentures are made, the patient is usually responsible for paying for these procedures.
  3. Regular dentures started within six to eight weeks after tooth removal frequently need to be relined or remade before one year, due to continued bone resorption. This is especially true for patients with a history of periodontal (gum) disease or extensive ridge surgery. Because shrinkage from bone loss is unpredictable and varies for individuals, patients are usually charged for any laboratory relines or remakes. The advantages of waiting six to eight weeks are that a patient will have dentures to wear soon after tooth removal, relines or remakes are not always required, and there are frequently fewer post insertion adjustments compared to immediate dentures. These advantages allow for a lower fee than that charged for immediate dentures.
  4. However, a healing time of six months is preferable after tooth extraction before denture construction is started. Past experience has shown that patients who have dentures made six months after extraction have a good chance of not needing a reline or remake during the first year of wearing their new dentures. However, because of continued bone resorption, there is no guarantee that a reline or remake of the conventional denture will not be required.
  5. The average denture usually requires a laboratory reline or remake at least once in every four years, due to functional wear and/or continued bone resorption. This bone resorption will continue throughout the patient's lifetime, making subsequent denture construction more difficult, less satisfying, and less comfortable for the patient than their previous denture experience.
  6. Due to the varying rates of bone resorption and jaw alignment situations, there is no guarantee that a patient will successfully and comfortably wear even a well-constructed denture.
  7. Dentures should not be considered a replacement for teeth. They are a replacement for no teeth. Dentures are prosthetic appliances, not real teeth, made to imitate the function of teeth as closely as possible. However, most people end up with about 20% efficiency of their natural teeth.