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Immediate Denture
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What is an
immediate
denture? |
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An immediate denture is
a complete denture or partial denture inserted on
the same day, immediately following the removal of
natural teeth. |
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What are the advantages
of an immediate denture? |
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There are several
advantages of an immediate denture. The most
important factor is that you will never need to
appear in public without teeth. It is also easier to
duplicate the shape, color and arrangement of your
natural teeth while some are still present in your
mouth. When an immediate denture is inserted at the
time of extraction, it will act as a Band-Aid to
protect the tissues and reduce bleeding. An
immediate denture will allow you to establish your
speech patterns early. You will not have to learn to
speak without a denture in place and then later
relearn to speak with a new denture. An immediate
denture will also allow you to chew better than
without any teeth and minimize facial distortion
that may occur when teeth are removed. |
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What are the
disadvantages of an immediate denture? |
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The biggest
disadvantage is the increased cost. Another
disadvantage is that you cannot always see how the
denture will look before the teeth are extracted and
the immediate denture is inserted. Also, initially,
an immediate denture does not always fit as
accurately as a conventional denture, which is made
after the tissues have healed for six to eight weeks
following extractions, and without wearing a
denture. |
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Why does an immediate
denture cost more? |
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An immediate denture is
initially more expensive than a conventional denture
because additional time is needed for construction.
A surgical stent (a guide for recontouring tissues
after extraction) is often necessary and more
follow-up visits are needed for adjustments and
re-fitting. A soft temporary reline material will be
utilized for re-fitting your denture when it becomes
loose during the healing process. After the soft
tissues have healed and shrinkage of the underlying
bone has occurred, (about six months following
extractions), the immediate denture must be
finalized by a permanent reline or new denture. At
this time, you will be charged for either a reline
or a new denture, depending on your choice. |
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Is an immediate denture
for everyone? |
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Not everyone is a
candidate for an immediate denture. Some people may
be advised against this treatment, due to general
health conditions, or because of specific oral
problems. |
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How long does it take
to complete? |
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Four to five visits may
be necessary for the fabrication phase of an
immediate denture, plus any preliminary surgery. For
patients requiring a complete immediate denture, the
back teeth are often extracted six to eight weeks
prior to the fabrication phase. This allows the
extraction sites to heal and a better-fitting
immediate complete denture to be fabricated. |
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The fabrication phase
consists of impressions, bite records, tooth
selection and try-in of the back teeth. On the day
of delivery, you will be seen in oral surgery for
extraction of the appropriate teeth, followed
immediately by the insertion of the immediate
denture. |
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Complete Dentures
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Information about
complete dentures |
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Some people have many
difficulties with their natural teeth and believe
that having them pulled and getting dentures will
solve all their problems. You may know someone with
dentures that fit perfectly and who won't have to
worry about their teeth again, but many people have
life-long problems with their dentures. The
following information, concerning some of the
challenges a person might face with the placement of
dentures, may be helpful: |
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Some of the
difficulties and problems associated with
wearing dentures include: difficulties with
speaking and eating; food under dentures;
function; loose dentures; lack of retention;
need for adhesives; feeling of fullness; and
poor ridge relationship (i.e. Class II), as well
as the probable need for future relines and
remakes. |
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It is necessary for
immediate dentures to be relined or remade,
usually within six months. Because this is due
to shrinkage of the gums, not problems with the
way the dentures are made, the patient is
usually responsible for paying for these
procedures. |
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Regular dentures
started within six to eight weeks after tooth
removal frequently need to be relined or remade
before one year, due to continued bone
resorption. This is especially true for patients
with a history of periodontal (gum) disease or
extensive ridge surgery. Because shrinkage from
bone loss is unpredictable and varies for
individuals, patients are usually charged for
any laboratory relines or remakes. The
advantages of waiting six to eight weeks are
that a patient will have dentures to wear soon
after tooth removal, relines or remakes are not
always required, and there are frequently fewer
post insertion adjustments compared to immediate
dentures.These advantages allow for a lower fee
than that charged for immediate dentures. |
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However, a healing
time of six months is preferable after tooth
extraction before denture construction is
started. Past experience has shown that patients
who have dentures made six months after
extraction have a good chance of not needing a
reline or remake during the first year of
wearing their new dentures. However, because of
continued bone resorption, there is no guarantee
that a reline or remake of the conventional
denture will not be required. |
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The average denture
usually requires a laboratory reline or remake
at least once in every four years, due to
functional wear and/or continued bone resorption.
This bone resorption will continue throughout
the patient's lifetime, making subsequent
denture construction more difficult, less
satisfying, and less comfortable for the patient
than their previous denture experience. |
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Due to the varying
rates of bone resorption and jaw alignment
situations, there is no guarantee that a patient
will successfully and comfortably wear even a
well-constructed denture. |
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Dentures should not
be considered a replacement for teeth. They are
a replacement for no teeth. Dentures are
prosthetic appliances, not real teeth, made to
imitate the function of teeth as closely as
possible. However, most people end up with about
20% efficiency of their natural teeth. |
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