What is an Immediate Denture?

You've been advised to have an Immediate Denture. But whatis it and how is it done? We hope that this information will help to explain the concepts and clear up any of the questionsyou might have regarding this type of prosthesis.

Let me explain what an immediate denture is by using an example.Suppose, for instance, that you have eight (8) remaining upperteeth. These teeth are, unfortunately, poor and can not be utilizedin any way to support a new prosthesis. If you were to have atraditional denture made, it would be necessary to have all ofthese teeth extracted first, the bone and gums would have to healand then a denture could be fabricated. This process could takeseveral weeks, if not longer, and for that time period you wouldhave to go around without any teeth. In order to avoid thistype of problem, we utilize an Immediate Denture technique.This involves taking impressions of your mouth while your teethare still present. At the same time, when your teeth are extracted,we have a denture ready to be inserted. In this way, you neverhave to walk around without teeth. Immediate Dentures do presentcertain situations which I would like to list for you.

• Since we are unable to try in the denture prior to extractingyour teeth, certain esthetic compromises may have to be made.This should not present any significant problem, however, andyour esthetic result should be more than satisfactory.
• Since our goal is for you never to be without teeth,we will be inserting your new denture immediately after the extractionof your remaining teeth. This may seem odd, but it is perfectlynormal. Typically, after the extraction of teeth, there may besome swelling. By placing your denture in immediately, this swellingcan be kept to a minimum. If you did not place the denture immediately,the swelling that occurs might not allow you to wear your dentureuntil the swelling subsided.
  
  
• It is very important that you follow the post-operative instructionsof your dentist or oral surgeon very carefully. You must wear you new immediatedenture for three (3) days, after the surgery, withoutremoving it. This will help to control the swelling.
  
  
• Once healing has occurred, after approximately three (3) months,you will either need a reline of your existing denture or the fabrication of an entirely new denture.If a new one is to be made, we will then be able to make any estheticand phonetic changes that you want within the limits of dentureprosthodontics. If a new denture is to be made, you will thenbe able to use the immediate denture as a spare ( emergency) denture. This can sure come in handy if your new denture shouldbreak and need to be repaired at the laboratory.