Same day dentures, also known as immediate dentures or immediate load dentures, refer to dentures that are fabricated and delivered to the patient on the same day as their tooth extraction.
You will, however, have to visit the dentist beforehand, like a week or two before tooth extraction, so they can take impressions and measurements of your mouth. These will be used to fabricate your temporary denture in a lab.
Immediate dentures allow you to maintain your smile and function after tooth loss, while your gums are healing. However, the underlying bone and gum tissue continues to shrink over time, especially during the first several months after tooth removal.
Because of this reason, your immediate dentures will need frequent adjusting, relining, and possibly replacement with permanent dentures.
In some cases, same day dentures can be fabricated directly in the dental office using chairside techniques. This involves the dentist or dental technician making adjustments and modifications to a pre-formed denture base and adding artificial teeth.
While this approach allows for a faster turnaround time, it may not achieve the same level of precision and customization as dentures created in a dental laboratory, resulting in compromises in terms of fit, aesthetics, and comfort.
That said, same day dentures are designed to provide an immediate solution for tooth replacement. The expedited process aims to save time by eliminating the need for multiple visits and laboratory fabrication.
As such, same day dentures are often considered a temporary solution until the final permanent dentures can be made. They serve as an interim option to restore basic oral functions and aesthetics while allowing for proper healing and adjustment of the oral tissues.
Once the gums have healed and stabilized, a more accurate and customized set of permanent dentures can be fabricated.
Is it viable to wait for gums to heal before getting dentures?
The duration for gums to heal adequately after tooth extraction can vary from person to person, though it usually takes anywhere from a few weeks to several months.
During the healing process, the gums undergo changes such as tissue remodeling, reduction in swelling, and shrinkage.
These changes can affect the fit of dentures if they are fitted immediately after extraction. Waiting for the gums to heal allows for more accurate impressions and measurements, resulting in a better-fitting denture.
Your dentist will evaluate your specific case and provide guidance on when it is appropriate to proceed with denture placement. They may schedule follow-up appointments to monitor the healing progress and determine the optimal time to take impressions and fabricate your dentures.
Why does it take so long to make dentures?
The time required to make dentures can vary depending on the complexity of the case, the type of denture needed, and the specific requirements of the patient.
Generally, after taking measurements of your mouth, your custom dentures will be fabricated, and then they have to be tested to ensure that they fit perfectly in your mouth without causing any discomfort. If they don’t fit properly, they have to be sent to the lab for adjustments, and then you test them again. This process can make getting dentures take quite long.
Keep in mind that these replacement teeth will be with you for the rest of your life, with adjustments and relining only when the need arises, and replacement every 5 or so years.
You do not want to rush this process. A poor fit will make it difficult for you to function normally – including eating, talking, or even laughing.
Some dentists may offer expedited or same-day denture services for certain cases, but it’s important to note that the quality and customization may be compromised in such situations.
This is one of the reasons why same-day dentures can only be a temporary solution as you wait for your permanent dentures.
Steps for Getting Permanent Dentures
The process of making dentures involves several steps and requires careful craftsmanship to ensure optimal fit, function, and aesthetics.
Here’s what you can expect:
1. Initial Assessment:
The first step is a comprehensive examination by the dentist to assess your oral health, determine the appropriate type of denture, and take necessary measurements and impressions.
2. Customization:
Dentures are custom-made to fit your mouth precisely. The impressions and measurements obtained are used to create a model or digital scan of your mouth, which serves as a basis for crafting the dentures.
Your dentures can be fabricated from these materials:
- Acrylic dentures – Made from an acrylic base that closely matches the shade of your natural gum. The false teeth are set in the acrylic base
- Chrome dentures – Some partial dentures are made using custom made Cobalt Chrome base, which has a closely fitting, sturdy, and lightweight structure.
3. Dental Laboratory Work:
Dentures are typically fabricated in dental laboratories by skilled technicians. They use specialized materials and techniques to create the base, artificial teeth, and other components of the denture.
4. Trial and Adjustment:
Once the initial denture is made, it is tried in your mouth to check for fit, comfort, and aesthetics. Adjustments may be needed to ensure proper alignment, bite, and overall comfort. This process may require multiple appointments.
5. Finalization:
After the adjustments, the denture is finalized, including adding the final touches, polishing, and ensuring a natural-looking appearance.
It’s crucial to remember that dentures play a vital role in your oral health and overall well-being, so investing time in their fabrication ensures a better fit, function, and longevity.
Cheap same day dentures near me
To get dentures on the same day as your visit, you will still need to visit your dentist for consultation and assessment to determine whether they’re a good tooth replacement option for you. Here is what you can expect:
Step 1: Evaluation and treatment planning
The initial step involves a consultation with a dentist or denturist to assess the patient’s oral health, discuss treatment options, and take necessary measurements and impressions.
Step 2: Immediate fabrication
To create same day dentures, the dental professional utilizes pre-made denture molds or a chairside denture fabrication process. Ideally, you should have visited the dentist one-to-two weeks earlier, so they can take impressions and measurements of your mouth to fabricate your temporary denture in a lab.
Alternatively, the dentist can use pre-made denture molds or templates come that come in a variety of standard sizes and shapes. These molds are selected based on approximate measurements of your tooth, and may not provide the same level of customization as custom-made dentures.
Step 3: Extraction and denture placement
On the day of the extractions, the natural teeth are removed, and the dentures are immediately inserted into your mouth.
Step 4: Follow-up appointments
After the denture placement, you will require several follow-up visits for adjustments and relining as the gums and bone heal and change shape.
Expect multiple adjustments with same-day dentures
Keep in mind that the temporary denture usually has a special, tissue conditioner, material inside the denture base to avoid aggravating the healing gums. The next day, this material is removed and replaced with a new one and the procedure is repeated every four to five days for approximately five to six weeks. Then your dentist will replace this material with soft lining material. The soft liner will be changed monthly until your gums and jaw bone heal properly to receive a permanent denture.
Benefits of Immediate Dentures
- Immediate solution – They provide an immediate replacement for missing teeth, ensuring that patients do not have to go without teeth during the healing period.
- Esthetic and functional improvement – They help restore the appearance of a full smile and enable basic chewing and speaking functions, so you don’t have to stay for days with missing teeth.
- Protection and support – These dentures protect the extraction sites, control bleeding, and provide support to the remaining oral structures.
- Low cost – Same day dentures are designed to be a more affordable option compared to regular dentures.
Challenges with immediate dentures
- Temporary nature – Same day dentures are considered temporary as they are typically used during the healing phase. Once the gums have fully healed, a new set of permanent dentures or adjustments to the existing dentures may be necessary for optimal fit and function.
- Esthetic outcome – Same day dentures are created quickly, so customization options and esthetic details may be limited compared to dentures fabricated through a longer process.
Immediate vs. Regular Dentures
| Immediate Dentures | Regular/Permanent Dentures | |
|---|---|---|
| Time Required | Can be delivered on the same day | Takes weeks to complete |
| Healing Period | Placed immediately after tooth extraction | Gums need time to heal before placement |
| Fit | May require adjustments and relining | Customized fit based on healed gum tissues |
| Aesthetics | Immediate replacement of missing teeth | Can be customized for optimal appearance |
| Speech and Chewing Ability | Restores basic oral functions | Improved over time as gums adapt to dentures |
| Longevity | Temporary solution until permanent dentures are made | Designed for long-term use |
| Cost | Generally more affordable | Cost may vary based on customization and materials |
| Adjustment Period | Requires adaptation and adjustment | May take time to adjust to the new dentures |
Final Thoughts
It’s essential to have realistic expectations when considering same day dentures. While they provide a quick tooth replacement option, they may not offer the same level of precision, fit, and longevity as permanent dentures created through the traditional process.
Your dentist will guide you on the most suitable option based on your specific needs and oral condition.
