Immediate Dentures
You just had an Immediate Denture procedure done.
Whether you were put to sleep for this procedure or were only given local anesthesia, the post-operative instructions remain the same. Take caution not to bite or chew on your cheeks, lips and/or tongue for they may be numb for several hours following your appointment. Refrain from chewing until the numbness has completely worn off.
Following extractions, it is important to not rinse your mouth vigorously, touch the wound area, spit excessively, smoke or suck on a straw. This may initiate bleeding by causing the blood clot that has formed to become dislodged. For additional information on care of your mouth after tooth extraction, click on Tooth Removal and Extraction on the previous page.
For the first 24 hours your immediate denture is not to be removed from your mouth to minimize swelling to occur that will make it difficult or even impossible to replace the denture.
After 24 hours, you will see your dentist for a follow up care and you will be given a new set of instructions for how to care for your denture and your mouth.
Your immediate denture replaces your missing teeth, but essentially, it acts to protect the surgical site, control swelling, and control bleeding. It is vital that the denture needs to be in place to be effective. The fit of your immediate denture will change over time as your mouth heals from the extraction of your teeth. As healing occurs, the dental ridges undergo bone re-shaping and they generally shrink in size. An immediate denture is often only a temporary denture which will require replacement or reline after final healing of the mouth.
The immediate denture will need series of adjustment and/or relining to compensate for the changes that will take place in your mouth as the gums continue to heal. You will be instructed by your dentist to return for periodic appointments to monitor your mouth for changes that will require denture adjustments.
A denture adhesive paste or powder will help stabilize your denture during the two to six weeks healing process of the extraction sockets.
Extraction sockets take a minimum of 6 months to heal and fill in with new jawbone. At that time, your dentist will speak to you about replacing your immediate denture with a permanent denture, or doing a permanent reline . This is also an apt time to ask about implant retained denture as an option for you.
The assumption that dentures will last a lifetime is incorrect. To reiterate, both the denture and tissues will change over time. It is highly recommended that your mouth be examined on a yearly basis by your dentist to evaluate the fit of your dentures.
Shrinkage of your ridges is a normal occurrence and this will result in loosening of your dentures and maybe a change in facial expression due to the settling of the denture on the ridges.
Changes in your ridges are BEYOND the control of your dentist and if it becomes necessary to re-fit or remove your dentures to correct this change, an additional fee will be charged.
NEVER! try to repair, reline or adjust the dentures yourself. This could be destructive to the tissue and underlying bone on which the denture rests.
One more important thing. Do not expect your dentures to function as your natural teeth once did. Remember! Dentures only function about 25 percent as efficiently as natural teeth.
Learn to know the limitations of your dentures and adjust your living habits accordingly. Keep smiling!
It is your dentist’s desire that your recovery be as smooth and pleasant as possible. Following these instructions will assist you, but if you have concerns and/or questions about your progress, please call your dentist’s office immediately!
We encourage you to speak up if you do not like or understand some aspects of your oral care. You deserve to be heard and your dentist deserves the opportunity to listen. This is what most dentists do, and they will make considerable efforts to accomodate you.
You will be responsible for all costs incurred if you fail to follow these instructions.