Immediate Complete Dentures
If injury, disease or decay has resulted in the loss of all natural teeth, Fife Dental Care in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, can restore your smile immediately with same-day complete dentures.
Conventional and Immediate Dentures
Patients needing to restore full dentition (i.e. no natural teeth remain) may need both immediate and conventional complete dentures.
Conventional dentures require the gums, palate and jaw to completely heal from tooth loss and/or tooth extraction. Once these tissues have completely healed, a denture will be created to fit perfectly in the mouth.
Immediate dentures, however, are custom fit the same day that any remaining teeth are extracted and are worn as the soft and hard tissues in the mouth heal. Because the gums and jaw will change shape and affect the fit, immediate dentures may require follow-up visits to adjust the complete dentures.
Immediate dentures may be a long-term solution for some patients, but for many patients, immediate dentures are only needed until their mouth is completely healed and conventional complete dentures can be fitted.
What to Expect with Complete Dentures
New complete dentures do take some getting used to, but with immediate dentures, you can avoid the negative impact that lack of dentition may have on your appearance and diet. Dr. Fife will take several molds of your mouth to create complete dentures that fit securely in your mouth so that your smile looks natural and there is minimal disruption in your regular eating and speaking. During the first few days or weeks, though, you may experience:
- An increase in saliva production
- Minor discomfort, possibly superficial sores on your gums and/or palate
As the tissues in your mouth recover from tooth loss, the fit of your complete dentures may be affected, requiring you to see Dr. Fife for an adjustment.
Other Restorative Options
Immediate complete dentures are not the only restorative dentistry option. You may also be a candidate for partial dentures, bridges and implants. Dr. Fife can help you understand and select the restorative procedure that best meets your needs. To schedule a consultation at our Rio Rancho, NM dental office, please contact us.