In case you lose a single or more tooth because of tooth decay or gum disease, you can use complete or partial dentures to replace them. Dentures refer to false teeth which appear similar to natural teeth and are removable. Once the dentist removes your teeth, it may take a few months to customize or fabricate your permanent dentures. Before then, you may opt to put on temporary or immediate dentures. Here, we will explore what immediate dentures are, the pros and cons, alternatives to the dentures, and whether you qualify to put on immediate dentures.
What Are Temporary or Immediate Dentures?
Immediate dentures refer to dentures that get fitted immediately after extraction of your teeth. For the first few months after teeth removal, you get to wear temporary dentures. This enables you to have teeth as you wait for the arrival of the permanent dentures.
Immediate dentures differ from permanent or conventional dentures in that they are temporary. These dentures are not custom-fitted to your mouth; hence, they do not always fit correctly as traditional dentures do.
It is also important to note that immediate dentures protect your gums as you recover from teeth removal.
Immediate Dentures Benefits
· Immediate dentures will fill your gaps straight away following a full mouth or tooth extraction.
· After extraction, you can have your immediate dentures the same very day
· During your healing process, they minimize your gums from bleeding, and they will also protect the gums.
Disadvantages of Temporary Dentures
· You may feel pain or irritation when the mouth adopts the dentures.
· You might require to adjust your dentures regularly for your comfort. Relined” means filling your dentures with additional material to compensate for the changes due to healing.
· Generally, they will not feel like your original teeth. They are also less sharp than the permanent dentures making chewing a challenge to some people.
· You will require to be wearing them for a period of four to six months before the permanent dentures are set.
· You might develop a jaw spasm after an extraction; thus, the dentist will need to realign or adjust your dentures regularly.
· They are not made preciously for your mouth, and therefore, the fit may not be perfect as permanent dentures, also they might shift or move.
· You cannot insert them before the removal of your tooth.
Who is Legible for Immediate (Temporary) Dentures?
You do not “need” to have dentures right away. If you only lose a tooth or a few of them (on either side of the mouth), the lost teeth can go unnoticed. As a result, having an immediate denture is usually a personal decision depending on the benefits and cons and the treatment cost.
However, following a full mouth teeth removal, your specialist may suggest an immediate denture.
Also, bear in mind that in some people, immediate dentures might lead to gag reflexes. Since the immediate dentures are not ideally fitting in your mouth, they can swing easily, hitting the back of your mouth, which triggers the reflex. Those with a strong gag reflex can keep off an immediate denture and wait for their permanent dentures to fit better.
Immediate (Temporary) Dentures Procedure
The procedure of having the immediate dentures includes several dentist visits. The dentist will measure your lower and upper jaws at your first visit, note your shape and your teeth’ color.
Process and Time Frame for Complete Dentures
If you are thinking of having complete dentures, be ready for the removal of all your teeth. To start with, the dentist will first get rid of your back teeth. You will then take some time to allow healing for about four to eight weeks.
After healing, the dentist will create your mouth impression and arrange for immediate dentures using that impression.
When the dentures are ready, you will need to plan for an appointment to remove your front teeth. Following the removal, the dentist places the immediate dentures and makes them fit by adjusting them in your mouth.
You will require to wear the immediate dentures for 24 hours following the process before you remove them. Regular follow-up appointments with your dentist are necessary to adjust the dentures. Additionally, while your mouth heals, the dentures fitting can change.
The Process and Time Frame For Permanent Dentures
Before the procedure of producing the permanent dentures, you require to allow your mouth some time to heal. Your mouth may take around three to six months.
Following the healing of your mouth, the dentist may take some mouth and jaw impressions. The impressions will be of great help in making custom molded dentures in your mouth shape and exact fit.
Immediate Dentures Life Span
By design, immediate dentures are for temporary uses, and you only have to wear them for around six to eight months as you wait for your permanent denture. Generally, permanent dentures are not custom-made to fit your mouth; they may move or slip. For this reason, most people do not wear immediate dentures for an extended period.
Additionally, the immediate dentures require regular adjustment and refilling of your dentures while the mouth recover and the inflammations subside.
Some immediate dentures may serve long enough, just as permanent dentures could. To save some cash, most patients choose to use immediate dentures instead of purchasing conventional ones. Other people have the immediate dentures standby just in case they damage or lose permanent dentures.
However, when you decide to use the immediate dentures in place of the permanent ones, be ready for regular dental visits. This is because they require frequent adjustments and alignment.
How Much Does Immediate Dentures Cost?
With immediate dentures, the price is similar to that of permanent dentures. The main thing about the prices is that it depends on the type of material and your residence place.
Some of the best quality dentures use mesh or metal liners, and a plate may cost between $2,000 and $4,000. The non-premium dentures goes for around $1,200 – $2,000, or $600 to $1,000 per plate.
Furthermore, the cost may differ depending on the dental plan and the dentist you visit. During your first appointment, make sure you ask your dentist the available options. You may also enquire about the before and after images of their work.
Additionally, you may enquire for recommendations from family members or friends and look for some online patient reviews. It would be wise to choose the most affordable missing teeth treatment from the best dentist in town.
Affording Dentures
While your insurance plan may help you pay for immediate dentures’ costs, part of it will have to come out of your pocket. For those with no dental insurance, try and get some cash discount from your dentist. Some may offer 0 percentage financing or low-interest on denture treatment.
Moreover, you may look out for low-priced dentures from dental organizations or schools.
Alternatives to Immediate Dentures
Following are some alternative to dentures that you might also consider:
Permanent Dentures
Unlike immediate dentures, conventional or permanent dentures are not shaped into your mouth until the gums have fully healed after tooth extraction. This usually happens six to eight weeks following your dental procedure. This creates permanent dentures that fit your gums entirely.
And you do not have to worry because they won’t come off like in old movies; also, you certainly don’t retain them in water as you go to sleep. We are past those days.
Here is how the procedure works. In step one, the specialist will help you choose the denture type appropriate for your requirements, depending on the number of teeth extracted. They will then make an impression of the jaw during a few follow-up visits. Using the image, they will make a wax bite impression. The wax impression will help mold a plastic model, and using this; a permanent denture is produced.
The permanent dentures attached to your gums are made of realistic and plastic, gum- and tooth-colored acrylic. It is an excellent alternative to dental implants. Permanent dentures fit perfectly and comfortably to your mouth’s shape and are long-lasting enough to last for the significant part of your life, as long as your mouth doesn’t suffer significant changes.
Following are two categories of permanent dentures.
Full Dentures
Full dentures are applicable where it is necessary to replace or extract all the natural teeth and is a recommendable alternative to dental implants. In addition to pushing your cheeks and lips out to help you avoid a sunken appearance, they appear like natural teeth. They are attached to your mouth following complete healing of your gum, which may take several months.
Partial Dentures
Your dentist may suggest partial dentures if you are looking for the most affordable missing teeth procedure. Compared to full dentures, which hold on your gums and are secured by attaching them to teeth, this type of denture is generally sustained in place using metal clips – pieces of wire binding around the tooth almost similar to braces.
Moreover, unlike the full dentures, these dentures can be partially chrome cobalt made (a solid metal). Most of the patients who use dentures feel great about their newly gained smiles every year. Nevertheless, it is not the sole solution to lost teeth.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are designed to serve you for as long as you live, similar to permanent dentures. However, instead of being attached to your teeth, dental implants are surgically attached to the jawbone with tiny titanium bars that assemble the tooth roots. It is a durable alternative to dentures.
Generally, dental implants take a long time to heal. Still, at Victory Plaza Dental Group, your best dentist in town (North Hollywood) is committed to swapping your lost teeth with stunning teeth in one day.
Conclusion
Severe tooth decay and gum disease might cause you to lose some teeth, and your dentist may also need to eliminate some or all of the teeth. Whether you require full dentures or partial dentures, the procedure from beginning to end might need several months. Having an immediate denture soon after teeth removal won’t leave you without teeth for too long, which boosts your confidence and protects your gums.
For more information about temporary dentures and the most affordable missing teeth treatment, be sure to contact us or plan for a consultation. At Victory Plaza Dental Group, North Hollywood, we have the best dentist in town.