Dentures

Multiple Extraction and Immediate Dentures

After extraction of teeth, you have two alternatives. First, you will have to wait several months for the areas to heal before making the denture. Second, is that an immediate denture is made. Most people choose the latter.

Immediate Dentures

Immediate dentures are made before the teeth are removed. You do not have to wait and are able to.

Permanent dentures

In many cases, the immediate dentures are adjusted or relined for fit once the gums have healed. This can take several months as changes may develop in the shape of the gums and bone during the healing process. You may decide to use the immediate denture as a temporary denture and make a permanent when the healing process is complete. This may depend on if the expense of the permanent denture can be included as part of the treatment budget.

Discomfort with Immediate Dentures

After removal of teeth, there is always a certain amount of discomfort. However, the immediate denture can act as a bandage would over a wound, making the surgical sites more comfortable.

Denture Settling and Pressure Sores

Dentures settle, especially after the first few days, and may cause small pressure sores to develop. Your dentist will trim and smooth any areas of the dentures that may cause discomfort during regular follow up visits. Although dentures may settle again, and new sore spots may develop, this is normal, and may require adjustments for up to the first month following placement of the denture.

The Phases of Denture Surgery P

Most of the time, teeth are removed in one visit. However, there are times when your dentist may need to perform the extraction or surgical phase of the procedure in two stages.

Denture Comfort

Because of the possibility of pressure sores, it may take up to a month before the dentures are completely comfortable. You will need to get accustomed to the new prosthesis. Again, this will take a little time, so be patient during the process.

Eating After Denture Surgery

Liquids are preferable, but you can eat soft foods and then regular foods when you feel comfortable enough to do so.

Denture Adhesives Following Surgery

Right after the procedure, it is important to be careful to avoid placing an adhesive in the areas where there may be stitches. Your dentist Smart 32 Dental Centers will let you know if you can use a denture adhesive with the immediate denture.

Denture Reline After Healing

Changes may take place in the shape of the jaws after healing is complete. A reline of your dentures will allow for a better fit. There are two types of relines.

• Soft reline. This is a temporary lining material that gives a custom fit at the time of the procedure, so that the denture fits better. This is often done at the time of surgery or shortly thereafter, when the denture is loose when it is placed. Because the gums and bone shrink during healing, the immediate denture will most likely become looser as time passes. This may require another temporary soft reline for stability of the denture before the healing is completed, but in most cases, the patient is able to use the denture after the initial soft reline until sufficient healing has taken place to either permanently reline the denture, or replace the temporary denture with the final prosthesis.
• Hard reline or permanent reline is done several weeks to several months (depending upon how well the jaws have healed) after the surgery, when the gums and bone have finished healing. Keep in mind we charge in advance for the hard relines.
  This decision to reline is done when it has been determined that there is unlikely to be any further significant change in the shape of the jaws due to further healing.

Eating with Dentures

Although you may not be able to eat everything that you could with your natural teeth, most patients are able to eat a wide variety of foods with minimal difficulty.

Dental Implants

Your dentist will talk to you about dental implants, which are sometimes used to help stabilize dentures, when lack of good stability is a problem. Your dentist will determine if you may be a candidate for this type of treatment.