There Are Two Major Types of Dentures:Permanent Versus Immediate
The decision to use an immediate or permanentdenture will be determined by your unique needs.
Permanent Dentures
The most common type are permanent dentures. These are normally constructed after all necessary extractions have been completed and your gums and bone have healed. Your gums and bone need time to heal and therefore, permanent dentures can take as little as three months but up to one year to complete. Permanent dentures allow your dentist to fabricate your new dentures with the traditional and ideal measurements and techniques normally used in denture construction and design. A major advantage of permanent dentures is your ability to try in your new dentures before completion. This allows you and the dentist to make esthetic and minor functional changes before the denture is completed. This is welcome input from you during the denture fabrication process. In general, the longer you wait after your teeth are extracted for bone and tissue to heal, the better the outcome.
Immediate Dentures
Immediate dentures are generally constructed before all necessary extractions have been completed. These dentures are normally inserted the same day as the teeth are extracted. Immediate dentures are fabricated and delivered to you more quickly than permanent dentures. This will allow you to smile, eat, speak, and return to work faster. However, swelling and soreness may occur. Immediate dentures also help minimize bleeding and protects the tissues around the extraction sites by covering those areas immediately after the extractions are completed. A major disadvantage of immediate dentures is that you will be unable to try in and make any major changes to the new dentures before they are fabricated. Your dentist will have to make estimates concerning the tooth color, shape, and size that will be used in order to make your new dentures look and function as natural as possible. Our bones and gums rapidly change during the first six months of healing after extractions. Immediate dentures usually require more adjustments or relines than permanent dentures in order to properly fit as your mouth heals and changes.
How to Maintain Your Dentures
Regular maintenance is essential for any type of denture. You can use a soft denture brush and warm water to clean your dentures on all sides of the denture except for the side that touches your gums. Using a denture brush on the tissue side of the denture may wear away some of the denture and cause the fit of your denture to change. Using your fingers with warm water normally works well on this side of the denture. Dentures are designed to remain moist and, therefore, when not in use dentures should be stored in water or a denture specific cleaning solution. These cleaning techniques will help prevent your dentures from drying out. As mentioned above, your gums will be healing and changing as soon as the extractions are completed. During the first six months many changes will occur, and it is usually necessary for your dentist to make adjustments. Occasionally, it may be necessary for your dentist to temporarily reline your dentures to maintain proper function and fit. Permanent relines of dentures are needed as your bone and gums change. We usually want to wait for the rapid bone loss and gum healing to be completed, which can take up to a year, before completing a permanent reline of your dentures. It is critical that you continue to have regular checkups with your dentist and to notify them of any adjustments or changes that may be needed in order to prevent tissue or bone damage. Everyone is unique and heals at a different rate which means that the number of adjustments or relines will also vary from patient to patient.
