If you’ve recently received immediate dentures, you may have noticed that they’re starting to feel loose or uncomfortable. Or, if you’re preparing to have teeth removed, you may be wondering how well your new dentures will fit in the weeks that follow. In either situation, we want our patients to understand that the mouth changes after tooth extractions, and dentures will need to be adjusted as it does. We make immediate dentures before removing your teeth so that we can place them on the same day as your extractions. You leave our office with replacement teeth, but your gums and the bone underneath still have a lot of changing to do. As swelling goes down and your jawbone gradually reshapes, the dentures that fit on the first day may start to loosen. We expect these changes, and we’ll work with you to keep your dentures fitting comfortably throughout the process.
Do My Immediate Dentures Need Adjustments?
We make your immediate dentures before removing your teeth, using impressions or scans to plan how they’ll fit. But your mouth won’t stay the same after your extractions.
During the first few days, your gums may be swollen and tender. As the swelling goes down and the extraction sites heal, your gums and the bone underneath gradually change shape. Your dentures, however, keep their original shape. Over time, you may notice that they feel looser or move around when you eat or speak.
We expect these changes, which is why we plan to see you during the healing process. If your dentures start rubbing against your gums, we can adjust the areas causing irritation. If they become loose, we may recommend a temporary reline.
During a reline, we add material to the inside of your denture to fill the space that has developed between the denture and your gums. We can use a softer material while your tissues are still healing, helping your dentures fit more comfortably as your mouth changes.
Once your gums have healed and their shape has become more stable, we’ll evaluate how your dentures fit again. Some patients can continue wearing their immediate dentures after a more permanent reline. Others may benefit from a new set of dentures that we attach to dental implants.
Our job is to help you through that transition, from the day your teeth are removed to the point when your dentures fit comfortably and function as they should.
How Do I Care for My Immediate Dentures During Healing?
When we place your immediate dentures, we’ll give you instructions for the first few days, including when to take them out and how to clean them. We may suggest that you leave them in for the first 24 hours, even when you sleep. Your dentures cover the extraction sites and help manage swelling.
After that first day, we’ll have you begin removing your dentures for cleaning. You’ll need to brush them regularly and gently clean your gums, following the instructions we give you.
Eating will take some adjustment, too. We recommend starting with soft foods like eggs, yogurt, and mashed potatoes. You can gradually return to firmer foods as your gums become less tender and you feel more comfortable chewing.
We also want you to call us if your dentures are causing persistent sore spots, significant pain, or slipping when you eat or speak. We can adjust the areas causing problems, but please don’t try to bend or reshape the dentures yourself.
Let’s Make Sure Your Dentures Fit the Way They Should
Your dentures should help you eat, speak, and smile comfortably. If they’re slipping, rubbing against your gums, or making everyday activities difficult, we want to know. At Carolina Dental Arts, Dr. Powell and our team can evaluate the fit of your dentures, make necessary adjustments, and help you understand when a reline or replacement may be appropriate.
Contact us in Raleigh, Durham, or Goldsboro, NC, to schedule a complimentary consultation so we can help you feel more comfortable with your dentures.
