Schmitz Dental Care
636-464-2002
schmitzdmd@msn.com
Quick Reference
What are immediate dentures?
When many of your teeth are loose or painful, they may be beyond saving. This condition is usually caused by advanced periodontal disease. Periodontal disease causes bone to be lost; if it's not caught in time, there's so little support for the teeth that they have to be removed.
Removing your teeth and replacing them with a denture may be the best way to eliminate the infection and restore the health of your mouth. When the entire procedure is completed in one day, it's called an immediate denture.
To begin the process, your dentist first takes impressions of your mouth. From these impressions, precise working models of your mouth are made. It's from these models that the dentures are made.
We'll work with you to select the best color and shape for your new teeth. When your denture is ready, we'll extract your remaining teeth. You'll be thoroughly numbed before any teeth are removed, and should feel no pain.
As soon as your teeth are out, your denture will immediately be placed in your mouth. For the first 24 hours, your new denture will feel tight because your gums are swollen. As your bone heals over the next six to nine months, your gums will shrink and your denture will feel loose. When this happens, we'll use a temporary lining material to tighten the fit. After this period of healing, when the shape of your mouth has stabilized, we'll send your denture back to the lab and have it relined for its final fit.
Some temporary problems are a normal part of adjusting to your new denture. At first your denture may tip when you chew. You may notice increased salivation. The denture may seem bulky, and you might gag a little. Your tongue will feel crowded and you might have difficulty speaking. Like learning any new skill, at first it will feel awkward to eat with your new denture. But with time and practice, you'll make the adjustment.
Nobody likes to lose their teeth, but when they're infected, removing them and getting an immediate denture can improve your health, smile and confidence.