Immediate Dentures
An immediate denture is a complete denture or partial denture inserted on the same day, immediately following the removal of natural teeth. The most important advantage of an immediate denture 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.
The biggest disadvantage of an immediate denture 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.
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.
Your doctor will discuss with you the pros and cons of a permanent reline versus making a new denture, to help you make a decision. A major advantage to making a new denture is that the immediate denture can be a spare denture if the new denture breaks, is misplaced, or has to be repaired or relined in the laboratory. If the immediate denture is relined, it will usually need to be left overnight while it is permanently relined in the laboratory.
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.
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 for extraction of the appropriate teeth, followed immediately by the insertion of the immediate denture.
