Immediate dentures offer a convenient and effective way to replace teeth that need to be removed without leaving you without a smile during the healing period. These dentures are carefully crafted before your extraction appointment and are placed immediately after your teeth are removed, so you can leave the dental office with a complete set of teeth in place. In this blog, you’ll learn everything you need to know about immediate dentures: how they work, their benefits, what to expect during recovery and whether they might be the best option for you.
What are Immediate Dentures:
Any removable dental prosthesis that has been fabricated for placement immediately following the removal of natural tooth/teeth are called as immediate dentures. These are dentures that are constructed before all of the remaining teeth have been removed and are inserted immediately following removal of the remaining teeth. An immediate denture may replace one tooth or all sixteen teeth in either the maxillary or the mandibular arches or in both the arches.
Types of Immediate Dentures
1. Conventional (Classic) Immediate Denture (CID)
- Made before extraction, placed
- Intended to be relined C used long-term after
2. Interim / Transitional Immediate Denture (IID / TID)
- Temporary; only used during healing
- Afterwards replaced by final
Variants by Design / Flange / Surgery
. Flanged, Partial Flanged, Open-face (socketed) types.
- With vs Without surgical alveoloplasty / alveolectomy.
Advantages:
. Immediate restoration – Immediate dentures provide immediate replacement for missing teeth on the same day as extractions ensuring no extended period without teeth.
. Preservation of aesthetics – Temporary dentures maintain the patient’s facial appearance.
- Facial support is maintained: lips, cheeks overall fullness isn’t This can have a huge effect on self- confidence
. Functional continuity – Immediate dentures allow for continued phonetic function and masticatory efficiency aiding in speech and eating during the healing period. Though, masticatory efficiency is limited it is still better than exposed gums.
Preservation of oral structures – By protecting extraction sites, immediate dentures help prevent complications like dry socket and tissue loss. Immediate dentures protect the tissues at the sensitive extraction sites from irritation which might result from the tongue and food. This can mean less discomfort for you than with conventional denture construction.
Aesthetics and Planning
- You can more easily replicate the shape, colour alignment of your natural teeth while some are still present
- By wearing them immediately you preserve vertical dimension of occlusion and avoid changes in jaw/facial
Disadvantages:
Need for adjustments – Chairside adjustments are necessary due to the dynamic changes in oral tissues during the six-eight-month healing process during which immediate dentures will be worn.
Temporary nature – They serve as an interim solution and are ultimately replaced by more permanent dentures, hence their other name: temporary dentures. As their function is largely cosmetic and protective immediate dentures are not a good replacement for permanents or implants.
Discomfort – Patients may experience discomfort while they heal when comparing immediate dentures vs permanent dentures. Immediate dentures may also trigger gag reflex in some sensitive patients.
Speech and eating challenges – Some patients may face challenges in speech as they adapt to the new dentures, especially with ‘s’ and ‘t’ sounds in
addition, liquids can loosen the denture reducing its overall functionality and some patients report attenuation in their sense of taste.
Cost – As they are not strictly necessary, immediate dentures incur cost in addition to that of surgery and permanent restoration.
Indications for immediate denture:
. Removal of multiple hopeless teeth due to periodontal disease or decay
. Patients desiring to avoid gaps in their smile (high aesthetic / social demand)
. To maintain speech, ability to eat, and social interaction during healing
. Support for facial musculature and prevent sunken appearance
. Preservation of residual ridge, soft tissues, and jaw anatomy
Contraindications:
. Uncontrolled systemic diseases (e.g. poorly controlled diabetes, cardiac
disorders, blood disorders)
. Active oral infections (e.g. periapical or periodontal abscesses)
. Poor oral hygiene or lack of motivation for follow-ups
. Severe bone loss or inadequate bone support
. Psychological or mental incapacity, lack of cooperation
. Cases needing complex surgery
(deeply embedded teeth, cyst removal)
. History of head/neck radiotherapy (impaired healing)
. Limited financial or time resources (can’t afford repeated visits and adjustments)
Immediate Denture Procedure:
1. Pre-Extraction Records
- Take impressions bite registration and select tooth shade/form.
2.Denture Fabrication
- Lab creates the denture based on initial
3. Tooth Extraction s Denture Insertion
- Remove remaining teeth and immediately place the fabricated
4. Initial Adjustments
- Make necessary adjustments for comfort and
5. Post-Operative Care
- Provide instructions for denture care and
6. Follow-Up Visits
- Monitor healing and make adjustments as
7. Final Denture Fabrication
- After healing, create a permanent denture for long-term
Healing of Immediate Dentures:
Immediate dentures are placed right after tooth extraction to aid healing and maintain appearance. For the first 24 hours keep them in to control bleeding and swelling. During the first week expect mild discomfort increased saliva and possible speech changes. As gums heal over 4–8 weeks they may shrink causing dentures to feel looser. After 3–6 months, when bone remodelling stabilizes a reline or new dentures may be necessary for a better fit. Throughout this period regular adjustments and proper care are essential for comfort and function.
Care and Maintenance of Immediate Dentures:
Proper care of immediate dentures is key to healing and comfort. During the first 24 hours keep your denture in place—removing it may disrupt clotting and increase swelling. Avoid rinsing spitting smoking or using a straw. Use ice packs intermittently to reduce swelling. After 24 hours you may remove the denture briefly to clean it with a soft brush and mild soap (never regular toothpaste) rinse your mouth gently with warm salt water, then reinsert the denture. Rinse after meals to clear food debris. Soak the denture overnight in water or a denture cleaning solution to maintain its shape. As your gums heal and bone shrinks, the denture will loosen so expect periodic adjustments or relines. Attend regular follow-ups and notify your dentist if there are sore spots discomfort or major looseness.
Note: Immediate dentures offer a practical solution to restore your smile and function immediately after tooth extractions. While they provide temporary relief and protect healing gums adjustments are often necessary as your mouth heals. To ensure the best fit and comfort, please visit Solitaire Family Dentistry or call us at 6281497455 for an appointment and let us guide you and begin your path to a lasting healthy smile.