If you have lost your teeth or they have been extracted because of injury or decay, dentures are an excellent way to ensure that your smile is restored. Dentures are essentially artificial, removable teeth that replace the teeth that are missing.
Depending on the number of teeth that need to be replaced, the dentist will decide if you need partial dentures or full dentures. However, getting your dentures is a lengthy process, especially if the procedure involves tooth extraction.
So, the question is, “What is the recovery time after tooth extraction, and how long should I wait to get my dentures?” In this article, we’ll discuss all there is to know about how long you must wait after your teeth are extracted before you can start wearing dentures.
How Long to Wait Before You Can Get Dentures after Tooth Extraction?
The amount of time you must wait before you can start wearing dentures after your teeth are extracted depends on many factors, such as the type of dentures you need and how long your gum tissues will take to heal before fixing the dentures.
Typically, when the tooth is extracted, it takes around 6-8 weeks for the gum tissue to close and toughen up so that you can eat firm foods. However, to heal completely and the recovery time after tooth extraction before dentures can be placed takes a lot longer.
It takes around 6-8 months for the new bone to fill the sockets and bone shrinkage to occur. So, how long does one have to wait before getting dentures after tooth extraction?
Immediate Dentures
One method is to use immediate dentures or transitional dentures, which are essentially dentures that are inserted immediately after the teeth are removed. Immediate dentures are the best option if you don’t want to wait for many months without teeth before getting your permanent teeth replacement.
Immediate dentures act like a bandage over the site of extraction, help to minimise the bleeding, protect the mouth tissues, promote healing, and enable a smooth transition from your natural teeth to permanent dentures.
Immediate dentures also offer support to ensure the integrity of the bone structure. In addition, they help you to chew and talk until you get your permanent dentures.
Typically, immediate dentures are made two weeks before your teeth are extracted to be ready when your teeth are removed and can be placed straight away. Immediate dentures are made by taking impressions of your mouth and selecting the tooth shade that is best for you.
When your teeth are extracted, you will observe a reduction in bone mass, as well as considerable changes in the oral structures. When these changes are occurring (even up to 1 year after the tooth extraction), you must see your dentist for relining, refitting, or adjusting the immediate dentures to ensure that they fit properly while your gums are healing.
The drawbacks of immediate dentures are that they can be a bit uncomfortable, and you may even experience some irritation and pain. Also, immediate dentures don’t feel like your natural teeth, and they may move or slip a little.
However, these issues will lessen as you get accustomed to wearing the dentures. You must wear your immediate dentures for around 4 to 6 months until you can get permanent dentures.
Permanent Dentures
You can get your permanent dentures after tooth extraction once your mouth has healed fully. The healing can take around 3-6 months after the teeth are extracted before you can get permanent dentures. For permanent dentures, the dentist will take your mouth and jaw impressions after your gums heal fully.
Once they are made, you must try out the dentures, and you will get the final dentures after the required adjustments are made. The permanent dentures will fit the contours of your mouth properly because the gums have closed, the initial shrinkage has occurred, and the bone loss has tapered off. This will ensure that the denture fits and functions properly.
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, gum disease or tooth decay may result in missing teeth. This may also require your dentist to extract some or all of your teeth, requiring you to wear dentures.
Whether you need partial dentures or complete ones, the process can take many months. And, getting immediate dentures can ensure that you’re not without teeth for long and your gums are protected until you get your permanent dentures.