Same Day Dentures - Are They Right For Me?

By Author: Adrienne Wimbrow, DMD
Total Articles: 1
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Many patients that have suffered a lifetime of dental problems find themselves stuck at difficult crossroads - their natural teeth can't be saved, but they can't reasonably go out in the world without teeth! Many people have jobs facing the public and active social lives, and the idea of going into the world without a smile on their face is simply not an option.

So is it really possible to get teeth in a day? Yes and no. Impressions or scans (digital impressions taken with a camera) of the mouth can be made before the extractions, and a dental lab technician can make a denture off the model that is ready to be seated the day the teeth are extracted. These are called same-day dentures, immediate dentures, or surgical dentures. It usually takes a few weeks after the impressions are made before the denture is ready.

There are may advantages to same day dentures in addition to esthetics. These dentures can act as a band-aid that helps control bleeding and swelling immediately after extractions. It's also thought that having dentures inserted right away makes them easier to get used to vs. letting the gums healing and ...
... making dentures later.

There are some disadvantages to same day dentures, too. After extractions, the bone supporting the teeth will shrink, and the dentures will start to get loose. Adjustments and relines (filling in the space between the denture and the gums) are needed to keep the denture fitting as you heal, and after about six months of healing, it is best to make a final set of dentures to your healed gums. While it is nice to have a set of dentures as a spare, this can make the total treatment cost higher, as you're having two sets of dentures made.

For this reason some people elect to let their gums heal prior to making their denture. If you choose to do this, it is best to wait a minimum of six months to allow for proper healing, but sometimes they can be done sooner especially if not many teeth were extracted.

Some people may not need all their teeth extracted. For these folks a same-day partial denture may be an option. Partials are like dentures but are supported by the remaining teeth on that arch. If you have a few as two stabile teeth on either side of your mouth, they can be maintained and used as a support to hold the partial denture in with retentive clasps. Since partials have the support of your natural teeth, they can be smaller, tighter, and generally more comfortable than a full denture. They can also be delivered the day the teeth come out, but like full dentures, these are often only a temporary "healing" appliance that is replaced 6 months down the road with a permanent, better fitting appliance. If a partial is an option, this is usually preferred to a denture. However, if the remaining teeth have a poor prognosis, it may be better to go with a complete denture rather hand make a partial that doesn't last long.

For a better understanding of dentures and partials, visit Upcountry Dental's Denture and Partial Information Page

The best option for you is always best determined after a good conversation with a trusted dentist.