What are immediate dentures?
Immediate dentures and temporary dentures are one and the same thing. The difference between regular dentures and immediate dentures or temporary dentures is timing and lifespan. Immediate dentures as the name suggests, are fitted straight after your tooth extraction. They are worn until your mouth geography has adjusted to removal of natural teeth. Immediate dentures can be immediate partial dentures, replacing one or just a few natural teeth, or immediate full dentures, replacing all natural teeth on the upper or lower jaw, or both.
The team at our Tweed Heads denture clinic can assist you through the process and collaborate with your dentist to ensure you experience a smooth transition to life with dentures.
Immediate dentures vs permanent dentures
Because immediate dentures are fitted immediately after your natural teeth are removed, there is no waiting for the soft tissues of your mouth to heal. Healing takes place with the immediate dentures in place. A conventional permanent denture cannot be made and fitted for up to 12 weeks after you have teeth extracted since impressions cannot be taken until the healing is complete.
″The surprising fact is 1 in 25 Australians aged 15 and over have no natural teeth. Ongoing advances in dental technology mean dentures are more effective and natural looking than ever.″
Immediate Denture Pros and Cons
The main benefit of immediate dentures is not having to be without teeth, because the denture is fitted immediately after natural teeth are removed. The tooth sockets are protected by the denture which functions to seal off the wounds to protect them and reduce bleeding and excessive swelling until your gums heal.
A second no less important benefit is immediate dentures’ cost effectiveness. In comparison to implants and bridges, immediate dentures are less expensive, quicker to make, with fewer required visits to your dentist or denture clinic.
Thirdly, our dental prosthetist can more easily replicate the shape, colour and arrangement of your denture teeth by using your natural teeth as a model before they are removed. Even if your natural teeth were misaligned, discoloured, broken or missing, our dental prosthetist can help you reinvent your most natural looking smile.
Temporary dentures are known as such because they only serve the wearer for the healing period after tooth extraction. During this time, marked changes in your oral landscape, require multiple adjustments to accommodate shrinking gums and bone after removal of natural teeth. As a result, temporary dentures become loose and must be adjusted by applying a tissue conditioning treatment to temporarily restore fit and avoid sore spots or irritation. A permanent hard reline is recommended within the first 12 months.
Your immediate denture cost at Northern Rivers Denture Clinic includes 3 tissue conditioning treatments in the temporary dentures cost.
What is the life of immediate or temporary dentures?
Immediate dentures or temporary dentures have a shorter lifespan (18 – 24 months) than permanent dentures even though they are manufactured to the same high standards and composed of the same high grade materials as permanent dentures. This is because of normal changes to your mouth in the healing phase. Initial bone and tissue shrinkage during the healing period require adjustments to the immediate denture: 2 -4 tissue conditioning treatments, and 1-2 permanent relines within a 24 month period, after which we recommend getting a new, permanent denture.
The team at our Tweed Heads denture clinic will assist you to choose the best denture for you. Whether you need a removeable full denture, removeable partial dentures, flexible dentures or implant retained dentures, we are happy to explain the features and costs to you.
Once you transition from immediate dentures to permanent dentures, maintaining them requires an annual oral health evaluation, during which your dental prosthetist will check your dentures for any issues in order to maintain best function and fit. Every 2 years we recommend a hard denture reline of your permanent denture to avoid looseness and instability in your mouth, which have the potential for uneven pressures and consequential damage to your denture.
A permanent reline for your temporary denture
Your temporary or immediate denture will require a permanent reline and refitting once bone shrinkage has stabilised. This process involves your dental prosthetist applying a lining between the inside fitting surface of the temporary denture to eliminate gaps occurring because of shrinkage, and thus restore a close fit. Since this is a ‘temporary’ denture and further permanent denture relines could be needed over the 18-24 month life of your temporary denture, we suggest the less expensive ‘budget’ denture from our range to minimise costs.
Signs it is time for a reline
You know it’s time to have your immediate denture relined when the following happens:
- The denture is loose in your mouth
- Food becomes lodged between your denture and palate or gums
- Chewing becomes difficult
- Or your denture feels insecure when you laugh or talk
Contact us at Northern Rivers Denture Clinic and we’ll restore you to your confident smiling self in no time.
It’s time for the procedure – what are the next steps?
Come in and take advantage of our free 30-minute consultation to chat about your needs and expectations. We will recommend a dentist or oral surgeon who will determine the number of extractions required.
On your second appointment with us, your preliminary impressions are taken.
A visit with your chosen dentist or oral surgeon will determine the exact teeth to be extracted. This important information will be relayed to us by your dentist.
The next appointment is with your prosthetist, who will determine your bite registration and a secondary impression will be taken, with a custom-made special tray.
If you are an existing denture wearer having further extractions and need additional teeth on the new denture then, during the following appointment you will have a ‘try-in’. However, this step doesn’t apply to new denture wearers who still have teeth yet to be extracted.
It’s time to collect your dentures and be given instructions on what to do after extractions are completed.
The next step is a crucial one for you, during which your dentist or oral surgeon will perform the procedure to extract your teeth and fit the denture immediately after.
You will revisit your dentist 24 hours after the fitting of your new denture.
And then, revisit your prosthetist 48 hours later.
After one week, your prosthetist will check to make sure the denture is sitting correctly in your mouth and you have no sore spots which require adjustment. Our patients can return for adjustments as many times as is necessary until the denture is comfortable.
I need an oral health professional for immediate dentures – but which one?
A little forward planning can soften the blow to your budget when it comes to tooth extractions and getting dentures. So here is an insider tip. Take advantage of Northern Rivers Denture Clinic’s free, no obligation consultation for professional advice. It can save you unnecessary expense. Our Tweed Heads dental prosthetist will evaluate your suitability for immediate dentures and give you a quote at no cost to you during a 30 minute, free, appointment. Once your suitability is confirmed, we will refer you to recommended oral surgeons and dentists in the area.
During and after your dentures have been fitted, it is your dental prosthetist and the Tweed Heads denture clinic team who will provide your ongoing care.
Tooth extractions: Will I need an oral surgeon or a dentist?
The complexity of your tooth extractions, or lack of it, will decide that question for you. If your tooth extractions are uncomplicated your dentist will perform them. If, however, you are having dental implants or your extractions are more complex due to health conditions or some prescribed medications, your extractions will be performed under anaesthetic by an oral surgeon.
Immediate dentures for a single tooth
The gap left by a missing tooth can allow for adjacent teeth to shift into the space, changing your bite and because of the lack of support, potentially ageing your face. There is also a risk of gum disease and tooth decay.
An immediate denture can serve as a ‘placeholder’ preserving the gap left by the extracted tooth for implant retained dentures, or single tooth denture at a later date. Although research continues on the subject, it is currently accepted the immediate denture procedure can minimise bone shrinkage or resorption, particularly where it’s necessary to have multiple teeth extracted.
Post op advice for the immediate denture
We cannot stress enough how crucial oral hygiene is to the success of your immediate denture procedure. Be sure to adhere to your dental health professional’s post extraction advice.
You must notify your dental professional immediately if you experience excessive swelling, bleeding or if you develop a fever. Dry sockets or wound infection can be fixed if attended to quickly.
If you have sore spots rubbing or irritation, your prosthetist can adjust your denture to alleviate this. Some patients sail through the immediate denture experience with relatively few concerns, while others encounter minor challenges.
Swift attention to any issues you may have, will mean less discomfort and better results for you in the long term. There is no benefit to ‘soldiering on’.
You are not alone. Hundreds of thousands of people worldwide wear dentures and enjoy better lives because of it.
Interest free denture payment plans
Frequently asked questions
How long do immediate dentures last?
Immediate dentures are designed as a temporary measure until mouth tissues have healed and bone and gum tissue have stabilised after initial resorption. We recommend the temporary denture be replaced with permanent dentures 18-24 months after the surgery to remove your teeth.
Are immediate dentures a good idea?
Like most things, there is not one single procedure or denture that will suit everyone. One of our dental prosthetists will evaluate your mouth and individual circumstances and advise you of the best options for you. Take advantage of their professional advice at a free, no obligation 30 minute consultation with one of our dental prosthetists at Northern Rivers Denture Clinic at Tweed Heads on the Gold Coast
Are immediate dentures temporary?
Immediate dentures and temporary dentures are the same thing. They are called ‘immediate’ dentures because they are fitted into the patient’s mouth immediately after tooth extraction. They are referred to as temporary dentures because once mouth tissue has healed and ceased to shrink, you will need to have a permanent denture made and fitted.
How much does an immediate denture cost?
Prices for immediate dentures have two components: the cost of your surgery and the cost of your denture manufacture and fitting; each executed by two different oral health providers.
The first price component will depend on how many teeth you have removed and the complexity of your treatment. The second price component involves the manufacture of your immediate denture and is governed by the material composition of the denture base and the number of teeth needed on the denture to replace those extracted.
Please contact the Northern Rivers Denture Clinic team for a comprehensive quote during a free 30 minute consultation with one of our dental prosthetists at no cost to you.
Call (07) 5536 4241
Free 30-minute consultation valued at $100
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