Losing natural teeth can be a daunting experience, affecting both appearance and function. Immediate dentures offer a practical solution, providing a full or partial set of teeth immediately after tooth extraction. This quick and effective option helps maintain your smile and confidence while also aiding in the healing process. In this article, we’ll explore what immediate dentures are, their benefits and drawbacks, the procedure involved, and what to expect during recovery.
What Are Immediate Dentures?
Immediate dentures are a type of removable dental prosthesis that is created and inserted immediately after the extraction of natural teeth. This type of denture is completely fabricated before the teeth extraction and provides an immediate solution for patients who require tooth removal. Immediate dentures can be either partial or complete, depending on the number of teeth being replaced.
Benefits of Immediate Dentures
Immediate dentures offer several advantages for patients:
- Maintaining Appearance: They help maintain the appearance and functionality of the patient’s smile immediately after tooth extraction, which can be crucial for confidence and social interactions.
- Preservation of Natural Teeth Characteristics: For patients who wish to maintain their natural appearance, the shape and positioning of natural teeth can be replicated in the immediate dentures.
- Improved Adaptation: Immediate dentures aid in preserving the natural contour of the mouth and support the surrounding tissues, facilitating easier adaptation to the dentures.
- Protection and Healing: They act as a protective cover for the gums, reducing bleeding and promoting healing after extractions.
- Psychological Comfort: The immediate availability of dentures can significantly reduce the emotional impact of losing natural teeth.
Drawbacks of Immediate Dentures
While immediate dentures provide numerous benefits, they also come with some challenges:
- No Try-In: Because they are fabricated before tooth extraction, there is no opportunity for a try-in to see how the dentures will look and fit. This can sometimes lead to adjustments being needed after insertion.
- Regular Adjustments Needed: As the gums and bone heal and change shape after extractions, immediate dentures often require adjustments, relining, or even replacement.
- Potential for Poor Fit: Without the opportunity for a try-in, the fit of immediate dentures may not be as precise as dentures made after healing.
Immediate dentures are not suitable for everyone. Patients with certain medical conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, severe infections, or those with limited mental or neuromuscular control, may not be good candidates for immediate dentures.
Types of Immediate Denture Techniques
- Socketted Immediate Denture: This technique involves placing the denture teeth into the sockets left by the extracted teeth, providing a natural appearance and fit.
- Flanged Immediate Denture: This type of denture includes a flange which goes over the gums, providing better stability and support, especially in the upper arch.
- Immediate Denture with Alveoloplasty: This involves reshaping the alveolar bone, particularly when there is a prominent premaxilla or other anatomical challenges.
What to Expect When Receiving Immediate Dentures
Extraction of Back Teeth
First, your dentist will extract all remaining posterior (back) teeth, except for two opposing molars or premolars. These remaining teeth help maintain your bite and support healing. Your incisors and canines will also stay in the mouth, which helps preserve your smile. You’ll have a healing period of 8-12 weeks (sometimes longer) to allow your mouth to recover before the next steps.
Primary Impressions
After healing, primary impressions of your mouth are taken using alginate impression material and suitable stock trays. These impressions help create models of your mouth, which are essential for designing your new dentures.
Final Impressions
Using the primary impression, a custom tray is made, covering both the anterior (front) teeth and the posterior (back) area. The tray is carefully moulded to match your teeth specifically and will then be used to create a final impression.
Behind the Scene Work
Behind the scenes your dentist will create a stone model of your teeth that records your teeth’s proper dimension and jaw relation. This step ensures that your new dentures will fit comfortably and align properly with your bite. Using this model, they can create a denture that fits your teeth as if no teeth were there at all.
Try-In
Before your final dentures are made, you’ll have a try-in appointment. This allows you to choose the color, shape, and feel of your dentures before they are permanently made.
Extraction and Insertion of Immediate Dentures
On the day of the final procedure, your remaining natural teeth are extracted, and the immediate dentures are inserted. These dentures are lined with a tissue conditioning material to ensure comfort and support during the initial healing phase. You’ll be given instructions not to remove the dentures for the first 24 hours.
Post-Procedure Care and Follow-Up
After 24 hours, you’ll return for a check-up to assess the fit and comfort of your new dentures. This appointment may include adjustments and further instructions for care. Your dentist will prescribe antibiotics and recommend cold compresses to minimize swelling and discomfort.
Over the next few months, your mouth will continue to heal and change shape. You’ll need regular follow-ups for adjustments, relining, or rebasing of your dentures to ensure a proper fit.
Conclusion
Immediate dentures offer a viable option for patients needing tooth extractions, providing immediate aesthetic and functional benefits. However, they require careful planning, regular adjustments, and good oral hygiene practices to ensure optimal results and patient satisfaction.
For more information, consult with your dental professional to discuss whether immediate dentures are the right choice for you.
Disclaimer
The contents of this website, such as text, graphics, images, and other material are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be substituted for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Nothing on this website constitutes the practice of medicine, law or any other regulated profession.
No two mouths are the same, and each oral situation is unique. As such, it isn’t possible to give comprehensive advice or diagnose oral conditions based on articles alone. The best way to ensure you’re getting the best dental care possible is to visit a dentist in person for an examination and consultation.
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