What is the Difference Between Immediate and Permanent Dentures?
What are Dentures?
In cosmetic dentistry, dentures are prosthetics meant to replace missing teeth. These are usually done after the extraction of permanent teeth due to tooth decay or severely damaged teeth.
Dentures are made from several different materials, coming at a different range of prices. These prosthetic teeth sit on a framework that are generally made of metal or acrylic. The “teeth” of the dentures are made of materials such as nylon, resin, acrylic, or porcelain. Porcelain dentures have the highest price out of all materials due to their durability and their ability to look like natural teeth. Acrylic and nylon dentures mimic the appearance of natural teeth as well, but aren’t as durable as their porcelain counterparts.
Dentures don’t necessarily have to cover an entire set of teeth. Partial dentures are available for when there are still some healthy teeth left in the mouth, and complete dentures are fitted when all of a person’s teeth are missing.
Dentures are placed in the mouth after two to three months after teeth have been removed and have finished treatment. These can be fixed or removable, which may depend on dentist recommendation.
There are two types of dentures–they can be either conventional or immediate, with both having their own technicalities and fitting processes. Read on to find out more about both types of dentures and see which kind is right for you.
Immediate Dentures
After a person comes in for a consultation regarding dentures, there are a few steps that your dentist may take.
After the teeth are removed and treated, a dentist may recommend fitting a patient with immediate dentures as soon as the extraction area heals. These are placed on the same day as the extraction of teeth, and stay there for a few months.
Immediate dentures mostly serve as placeholders while custom permanent dentures are in development. They have an added bonus of protecting your mouth’s gum tissue as it heals from extraction. As such, they aren’t custom fit to your teeth, but only need to be used for a few months until it’s time for your real dentures. This makes them preferable for cases in which a person only has a few missing teeth, as opposed to lacking a full set.
While immediate dentures secure your gums immediately after extraction, the lack of custom fitting can affect your mouth in terms of comfort. The way they fit may cause discomfort and cause a person to have difficulty chewing. Additionally, they tend to cause irritation as your mouth adjusts to their presence. It’s important to keep in mind that immediate dentures might require periodic adjustment to make up for the changes in your mouth as it heals, so you’ll be in constant contact with your dentist for a good period of time.
Permanent Dentures
After extraction, your dentist may either give you immediate dentures or allow your extraction sites to fully heal. Over the course of a few days, your local dental center will work on creating your dentures. You’ll need to make frequent visits in order for your practitioner to monitor the progress of your extraction sites as they heal.
One of the biggest differences between permanent and immediate dentures is their fit. Permanent dentures are custom fit to your teeth and designed for fully-healed gums, meaning that there won’t much need to visit your dentist for re-alignments.
Permanent dentures can come in fixed or removable forms. Fixed permanent dentures are attached to dental implants, meaning that only dentists will be able to remove them when needed.
Unlike its immediate counterpart, permanent dentures are far more stable and comfortable. They have a lesser risk of falling out or breaking due to their fixed position. As you get used to them, you’ll be able to feel very little difference between your natural teeth and dentures. You’ll be able to speak, chew, and smile easier than with immediate dentures.
It’s important to note that dentures of any kind require the same–if not more–amount of maintenance. You’ll still need to avoid staining food and beverages, along with daily brushing and cleaning. Some dentures call for overnight soaking in a custom solution, which aids in their maintenance and daily disinfecting.
Are Dentures the Right Option for Me?
Every denture case is different. A person may have a few healthy teeth left and only require partial dentures, or they may have severely damaged teeth that require additional procedures before they can proceed with dental implants or dentures. As such, it’s best to consult with your dentist: they’ll be able to look at the state of your teeth and gums and see if dentures are a good option for you.
Aside from health reasons, a person may want to look into dentures or implants for restorative purposes. This kind of dentistry gives teeth a brand-new, healthy appearance, along with helping people with functions they wouldn’t be unable to do with unhealthy teeth. This can include chewing, smiling, or speaking.
As an added bonus, dentures are often covered by insurance. In any event, however, our team of highly-skilled dentists here at Deschutes Dental Center will be happy to discuss payment options. Your dental health is our top priority!
Thinking of dentures? Contact Deschutes Dental Center today. We’ll be happy to look into your dental situation and guide you on the next steps to take.