Immediate Dentures
Teeth placed the same day as your extractions -- you never leave the office without a smile.
What Are Immediate Dentures?
An immediate denture is a complete or partial denture that is fabricated before the remaining natural teeth are extracted and inserted into the mouth on the same day the teeth come out. The patient walks in with failing teeth and walks out with a full set of replacement teeth -- there is no gap, no period of going without.
This distinguishes immediate dentures from conventional dentures, which are made after the teeth have been removed and the extraction sites have healed. With a conventional denture, the patient typically waits eight to twelve weeks with no teeth (or with a temporary appliance) while the tissue matures and stabilizes. Many patients find that waiting period unacceptable, particularly when front teeth are involved.
How Immediate Dentures Differ from Conventional Dentures
The fundamental difference lies in timing. A conventional denture is fabricated over healed ridges, which means the prosthodontist can take precise impressions of the final tissue contour, perform a wax try-in for the patient to preview the tooth arrangement, and deliver a denture that fits the mouth in its stable, post-healing state.
An immediate denture, by contrast, is designed over a stone model where the remaining teeth have been cut off and the cast has been reshaped to approximate the post-extraction contour. This is an educated prediction, not a measurement of the final anatomy. There is no wax try-in, because the teeth are still present when the denture is being made. Dr. Rasmussen compensates by taking thorough records -- photographs, shade matching, detailed measurements of tooth position and lip line -- so the denture teeth are placed in positions that will look natural once the originals are removed.
The Process
Treatment begins with a comprehensive examination and treatment plan. Dr. Rasmussen coordinates with the oral surgeon or periodontist who will perform the extractions so that the surgical and prosthetic phases align.
Impressions are taken with the existing teeth still in the mouth. These are sent to the laboratory along with jaw relationship records and detailed instructions for tooth selection and arrangement. The lab builds the denture on a modified cast, and the finished appliance is ready before the surgery date.
On the day of extractions, the remaining teeth are removed and the immediate denture is inserted directly over the surgical sites. Dr. Rasmussen checks the fit, adjusts the bite, and ensures the denture is seating properly. The denture also functions as a protective bandage during the first critical hours of healing, applying gentle pressure to the extraction sites and shielding them from food debris and irritation.
Patients are typically seen the following day for a post-operative check, and again at regular intervals over the next several weeks to monitor healing and make adjustments as needed.
The Healing and Adjustment Period
The mouth changes significantly in the weeks and months following extractions. The bone that previously supported the natural teeth begins to remodel, and the gum tissue shrinks as it heals. This remodeling is most rapid during the first three months and continues at a slower pace for up to a year.
As the tissue changes shape, the immediate denture gradually becomes looser. This is expected and does not mean something has gone wrong. Dr. Rasmussen addresses this with temporary reline materials -- a soft or hard material applied to the tissue side of the denture to take up the space created by shrinkage. These interim relines maintain a functional fit while the body completes its healing process.
Some soreness during the first few weeks is normal. The extraction sites need time to close, and the denture is resting on tissue that is actively healing. Adjustments to relieve pressure points are a routine part of the immediate denture process, and patients should not hesitate to come in when discomfort arises.
Relining: Restoring the Fit
Once the tissue has stabilized -- typically six to twelve months after extractions -- a definitive reline is performed. This involves taking a new impression inside the existing denture and having the laboratory replace the entire tissue-facing surface with fresh acrylic that conforms precisely to the healed ridges.
In some cases, the changes in ridge shape are substantial enough that a reline cannot fully compensate. When that happens, Dr. Rasmussen may recommend fabricating a new conventional denture using the healed anatomy. The immediate denture then becomes a spare or backup appliance.
Benefits of Immediate Dentures
- No toothless period. You have teeth from the moment you leave the surgical appointment. This is particularly important for patients whose work or social life makes going without teeth impractical.
- Wound protection. The denture covers the extraction sites, reducing bleeding and protecting the surgical area from food and bacteria during the critical first days of healing.
- Preserved muscle memory. Because you transition directly from natural teeth to a denture, the tongue, cheeks, and lips adapt more easily than they would after weeks without any teeth in place.
- Maintained facial support. Teeth support the lower third of the face. Removing them without immediate replacement allows the lips and cheeks to collapse inward. An immediate denture maintains that support from the start.
- Speech continuity. Adapting to a denture is easier when there is no extended period of speaking without teeth. The tongue learns the new tooth positions gradually rather than all at once.
Is an Immediate Denture Right for You?
Immediate dentures are a practical option for most patients who need extractions and want to avoid a toothless transition. They do require a commitment to follow-up appointments -- the reline visits and adjustments are not optional, they are part of the treatment -- but the trade-off of continuous tooth replacement is well worth it for the majority of patients.
If you have been told your remaining teeth need to come out, or if you have been putting off necessary extractions because you are concerned about appearance, schedule a consultation with Dr. Rasmussen. He will evaluate your specific situation and explain exactly what the immediate denture process involves, including timeline, cost, and what to expect during healing.
Fees & Financial Policy: Rasmussen Prosthodontics is a fee-for-service practice. We are not contracted with any insurance company, but we can submit claims to your insurance as an out-of-network provider on your request. Read our financial policy →
Frequently Asked Questions
Immediate dentures are complete or partial dentures fabricated before your remaining teeth are extracted and placed in your mouth the same day the teeth come out. You walk in with failing teeth and walk out with a full set of replacement teeth -- there is no gap or toothless period.
After extractions, the jawbone and gum tissue need six to twelve months to fully heal and stabilize. During that time, you wear the immediate denture with periodic relines to maintain the fit. Once healing is complete, a definitive reline or a new conventional denture is made using the final tissue contours.
Yes, though you will need to start with soft foods for the first several weeks while the extraction sites heal. As healing progresses and the denture is relined for a better fit, you can gradually return to a more varied diet. Cutting food into small pieces and chewing on both sides helps maintain stability.
Some soreness during the first few weeks is normal as the extraction sites heal beneath the denture. The fit will loosen gradually as tissue shrinks, and temporary relines are used to compensate. Most patients adapt to speaking and eating with the denture within a few weeks, and follow-up appointments address any pressure points or discomfort.