What are immediate dentures?

Immediate denture procedure

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The process of getting an immediate denture starts when the natural teeth are still in place. Prior to having them extracted, your dental professional will take an impression of the arch (or both arches if you are having a maxillary and mandibular denture made) as well as bite impressions to show how your teeth come together. As a general rule, dentures are typically produced by a dental laboratory.

A few weeks later, you will return to the office for oral surgery to extract the remaining natural teeth. You can have this done at a general dentist's office or by an oral surgeon.

Immediately following the extractions, your dentist will place the temporary denture in your mouth. You will be instructed to wear the denture as long as you can tolerate it and will typically return the very next day for your first adjustment and a 24-hour check of the extraction sites.

You will have multiple visits during the healing period, and your dentist may place a temporary reline material to help alleviate sore spots on the gum tissues.

Pros and cons of immediate dentures

There are pros and cons to immediate dentures, and it is essential to understand these so that you can make an informed decision when you are ready to begin the transition.

The most significant advantage of having an immediate denture is that you can have teeth right after the extractions. You do not have to walk around without teeth for several months until the final dentures are made. This is, of course, more aesthetically pleasing. However, immediate dentures also give you something to eat with. Plus, you get to use your immediate dentures to practice with, which will make your transition into traditional dentures much easier.

The downside to having immediate dentures after tooth extractions is that you will need to have a second pair made in the future. This, of course, adds to the cost, and even if you have insurance, the insurance company typically will not cover a new set of dentures within the first five years.

Temporary denture vs conventional ones

Picture by Authority Dental under CC 2.0 license

So, how are temporary dentures different than traditional ones? We have discussed the process of making a temporary denture, so let us review how it differs from a standard denture.

A conventional denture is made months after the extractions and healing period. The jawbone undergoes significant remodeling within the first few months, which is why immediate dentures are intended to be temporary. Once the remodeling is finished (or has at least slowed down), impressions are taken and a final denture can be made. Your denture professional will also take measurements and pictures of your face so that the denture teeth will match your face shape.

A complete denture may also need to be adjusted, but not nearly as much as the temporary ones. A final appliance will last many years if you take proper care of it.

How much for temporary dentures?

The cost of temporary dentures depends mainly on your location and whether you have insurance or not. Immediate dentures range in price from $1,500 to over $4,000. Many people are surprised to find out that they are typically more expensive than conventional dentures. The reason is that they are more complicated to make and often require multiple adjustment appointments.

If you are fortunate to have dental insurance, many benefit plans cover dentures at about 50%. As we mentioned earlier, there are also replacement periods, and most insurance plans will not cover the cost of replacing dentures sooner than five years.

Please note that additional costs apply for dentures, including X-rays, extractions, and anesthesia. You may also need prescription medications to help with pain after the extractions. If you are getting an implant-retained denture, there will be an additional cost for the dental implants and other required procedures.