Getting dentures can be a transformative experience, restoring not only your smile but also your ability to eat and speak comfortably.
However, if you’re considering dentures immediately after your tooth extractions, then you might be concerned about how painful are same-day dentures. Unlike traditional dentures, which require several visits and a waiting period, same-day dentures are designed to be fitted immediately after tooth extraction, offering a quicker solution.
If you’re short on time and can’t wait for the conventional procedure, same-day or immediate dentures are a convenient alternative.
Read on to find out how painful are same-day dentures and how you can manage pain and discomfort for the same.
What Are Same-Day Dentures?
Same-day dentures resemble traditional dentures, but you get your new set immediately after your appointment. They are placed into the patient’s mouth right after their teeth are extracted.
Same-day dentures are ideal for individuals who have previously lost their teeth and have fully healed gums.
Why Do People Opt for Same-Day Dentures?
- Immediate Solution: Same-day dentures provide an immediate replacement for missing teeth, allowing patients to avoid going without teeth while waiting for conventional dentures to be made.
- Convenience: The procedure is more convenient for those who need a quick solution due to busy schedules or other constraints. It eliminates multiple visits and the waiting period associated with traditional dentures.
- Minimized Adjustment Period: With same-day dentures, patients can start adjusting to their new dentures right away, which can be less disruptive than waiting for a set of temporary dentures.
- Aesthetic & Functional Benefits: They help restore a patient’s smile and ability to eat and speak properly right after tooth extraction, which can boost confidence and improve quality of life.
The Process of Getting Same-Day Dentures
Initial Consultation
The dentist will assess your oral health, including the condition of your teeth, gums, and jawbone. During this appointment, you can discuss the options for same-day dentures and any necessary extractions or preparations.
Preliminary Impressions
The dentist takes impressions of your mouth to create a custom mold for the dentures. This may involve digital scans or traditional impressions. Precise measurements of your jaw and bite are also taken to ensure proper fit and alignment.
Tooth Extraction (if needed)
If you have remaining teeth that need to be extracted, the dentist will perform the extraction procedure. After extractions, your gums will be prepared for the placement of the dentures.
Fitting & Placement of Same-Day Dentures
Same-day dentures are fitted and adjusted to your mouth immediately after extractions or the initial impressions. Your dentist will make any necessary adjustments to ensure the dentures fit comfortably and function properly.
Ongoing Adjustments
As your gums heal and adjust to the dentures, additional adjustments may be needed to ensure continued comfort and proper function.
How Painful Are Same-Day Dentures?
When it comes to how painful are same-day dentures, you may experience some minor discomfort from dental extractions and sore spots around the immediate dentures.
However, to address and alleviate these issues, a follow-up evaluation is typically scheduled within 24-48 hours after the insertion.
Overall, while some pain and discomfort are common with same-day dentures, they are generally manageable and decrease as you adjust to the new dentures and your gums heal.
Factors that Affect How Painful Are Same-Day Dentures
Post-Extraction Discomfort
If teeth were extracted as part of the procedure, you might experience some pain or discomfort in the extraction sites. This is often managed with pain relief medications prescribed by your dentist.
Denture Fit & Adjustments
When same-day dentures are first placed, you might feel some soreness or irritation as your mouth adjusts to the new prosthetics. You might also experience pressure points where the dentures do not fit perfectly. These areas can cause discomfort until adjustments are made.
Gum Sensitivity
In the initial days after fitting the dentures, the gums may be inflamed or sensitive, causing pain or discomfort. This sensitivity usually decreases as the gums heal.
Adapting
Most discomfort will gradually decrease as your mouth adapts to the dentures. This adjustment period varies from person to person but generally lasts a few weeks.
Tips to Manage Pain & Discomfort
- Wait a bit to remove your dentures. Keep your immediate denture in place until your follow-up appointment the next day. A dental professional will then remove the denture, clean it, and make any necessary adjustments to areas causing discomfort.
- For the first few days, eat only soft foods like soups, yogurt, pasta, eggs, and smoothies. As you get used to your dentures, you can gradually reintroduce more solid foods.
- Be patient with your speech. Adjusting to speaking with your new dentures will take some time and practice. Reading aloud can help you get used to your new speech pattern.
- Expect some sore spots. You might develop sore spots during the initial days with your immediate dentures due to uneven pressure. Adjustments are usually best done after wearing the dentures for three to six hours, as this helps identify specific areas of discomfort.
- Expect some looseness. If your teeth were extracted on the same day as your immediate denture placement, the denture may feel loose as your gums and bone heal and shrink. This is normal. You might need a temporary liner to improve the fit of your denture during this healing period.
When to Seek Professional Help
Seek professional help if you experience the following with same-day dentures.
- Severe or persistent pain that isn’t relieved by prescribed medications or over-the-counter pain relievers.
- If discomfort persists beyond the initial adjustment period and doesn’t improve with time.
- If you develop painful sores or ulcers that don’t heal or worsen over time.
- If the dentures are causing significant irritation or rubbing against the gums, leading to inflammation or bleeding.
- If you notice significant redness, swelling, or discharge around the denture sites, which could indicate an infection.
- If the dentures don’t seem to fit correctly, even after initial adjustments, and cause persistent discomfort.
- If adjustments made by the dentist do not relieve the pain or discomfort as expected.
Conclusion
Same-day dentures can offer the perfect solution for people who do not wish to wait for prosthetic teeth and want a complete smile back right after their tooth extraction.
Regarding how painful same-day dentures are, you can manage any pain or discomfort by following your dentist’s instructions and using pain-relieving methods.
Consult with the dentists at ProGrace Dentistry and find out more about same-day dentures!
FAQs
How much pain should I expect with same-day dentures?
Most patients experience mild to moderate discomfort with same-day dentures, especially if they have had teeth extracted.
When should I seek professional help for same-day denture pain?
Seek professional help if you experience severe or persistent pain that doesn’t improve with medication, notice significant sores or irritation, or have trouble eating or speaking that impacts your daily life.
