Getting immediate dentures is an effective way to restore your smile and oral function straight after tooth extraction. These dentures are fitted on the same day as your extraction, allowing you to leave the dentist’s office with a complete set of teeth. However, like any dental procedure, there’s an adjustment period involved. Knowing what to expect can help make the transition smoother and more comfortable.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through what happens after getting immediate dentures, how to care for them, and tips for a successful adjustment period.
What Are Immediate Dentures?
Immediate dentures are a temporary set of dentures designed to be worn immediately after tooth extraction. They’re custom-made in advance to fit your mouth as closely as possible. Immediate dentures help you maintain your appearance and oral functionality while your gums heal and adjust to the new dentures.
What to Expect on the Day of Your Procedure
On the day you receive your immediate dentures, your dentist will extract the necessary teeth and fit the dentures right away. You may experience some initial discomfort as your mouth adjusts to both the extractions and the new dentures.
What you might notice:
- Pressure or tightness: Immediate dentures are designed to fit snugly over your gums to minimise bleeding and swelling. This can feel unusual at first but usually eases within a few days.
- Numbness: If a local anaesthetic was used for your extraction, you may feel numbness for a few hours post-procedure.
- Difficulty speaking or eating: Your mouth needs time to adapt to the dentures, which may initially make speaking and eating feel different.
Managing Discomfort and Soreness
It’s common to experience some discomfort in the first few days after getting immediate dentures. This is usually due to the extraction sites healing and your mouth adjusting to the new appliance.
How to manage discomfort:
- Rinse with warm salt water: This helps keep the extraction sites clean and reduces swelling.
- Take prescribed pain relief: Follow your dentist’s recommendations for managing pain. Over-the-counter medications can also help alleviate minor discomfort.
- Avoid hard or crunchy foods: Stick to a soft diet for the first few days to minimise pressure on your gums.
If discomfort persists or worsens, contact your dentist to ensure there are no complications.
Adjusting to Immediate Dentures
Wearing immediate dentures requires an adjustment period as your gums heal and your mouth adapts to the new fit.
What to expect during the adjustment period:
- Changes in fit: As your gums heal and shrink, the dentures may become loose. This is normal and can be managed with adjustments or temporary relining.
- Speaking challenges: Certain words may feel harder to pronounce initially. Practising reading aloud or speaking slowly can help you adapt more quickly.
- Increased saliva production: Your mouth may produce extra saliva as it adjusts to the dentures. This usually subsides within a week or two.
Patience is key during this phase, as your comfort and confidence will improve with time.
Caring for Your Immediate Dentures
Proper care is essential to keep your immediate dentures clean and your mouth healthy.
Daily care routine:
- Clean your dentures: Remove your dentures daily and clean them with a soft brush and non-abrasive denture cleaner. Avoid using hot water, as it can warp the dentures.
- Rinse your mouth: Use lukewarm water or a mild mouthwash to rinse your mouth after meals to keep your gums clean.
- Soak your dentures overnight: Place them in a denture-soaking solution to keep them moist and maintain their shape.
Regular cleaning helps prevent plaque buildup and ensures your dentures remain comfortable to wear.
Eating with Immediate Dentures
Eating with immediate dentures can feel challenging at first, but it gets easier with practice.
Tips for eating with immediate dentures:
- Start with soft foods like yoghurt, mashed potatoes, or soup.
- Cut your food into small pieces to make chewing more manageable.
- Chew slowly and evenly on both sides of your mouth to keep the dentures stable.
- Avoid sticky, hard, or crunchy foods until you feel more comfortable.
Gradually introduce a wider variety of foods as you become more confident with your dentures.
Follow-Up Appointments
Regular check-ups are crucial after getting immediate dentures. These appointments allow your dentist to monitor your healing process and make necessary adjustments to the fit of your dentures.
What to expect during follow-ups:
- Adjustments to improve fit and comfort.
- Temporary relining to accommodate gum shrinkage.
- Guidance on transitioning to permanent dentures if needed.
Staying consistent with follow-up appointments ensures your dentures remain comfortable and functional.
Transition to a Confident Smile with South Coast Denture Clinic
Adjusting to immediate dentures takes time, but with proper care and patience, you’ll soon feel more comfortable and confident. From managing initial discomfort to transitioning to permanent dentures, the process becomes smoother with the right guidance and support.
At South Coast Denture Clinic, we specialise in creating custom dentures tailored to your needs. Our expert team is here to guide you through the adjustment process and ensure you feel confident with your new smile.
