Everything That Happens One Week After Immediate Dentures

Immediate dentures are a wonderful way for people to transition to dentures without ever being seen without their teeth. But make no mistake about it – that is exactly what they are designed for: to avoid walking around with no teeth. Immediate dentures are not a panacea and they do come with their own set of issues that you must be prepared to accept should you choose this route of dental care.

The first week after tooth extraction can be difficult. So, what can you expect during that first week?

1 Week After Immediate Dentures Phases

Dramatic changes will happen within one week after immediate dentures. After all, you’ve gone from having your own natural teeth to using an artificial appliance for eating, talking, and smiling.

Let’s talk about the typical issues that patients face when they first receive immediate dentures.

Pain and Fatigue

As the numbness from your procedure wears off, pain will naturally develop in the first few days. Pain is the body’s defense mechanism that tells you something is not normal. You have just had teeth removed from your body that were meant to remain in place for the rest of your life. Removing any body part will induce pain and cause swelling as the mouth heals itself and you recover from surgery.

Depending upon the number of teeth that were removed and the difficulty of the procedure, most dentists will prescribe a pain reliever to be taken after treatment. They may suggest that you take the first dose before the numbness fully wears off. That way, you won’t experience pain as intensely as your body attempts to control bleeding and heal.

In some cases, an antibiotic is also prescribed for one week after dentures, if appropriate, to address any post-operative swelling and to promote healing. If antibiotics are given, it is important to take them according to the directions provided and continue taking until completed. You do not want an infection to occur.

The exception would be if you experience an allergic reaction or if the swelling becomes progressively worse instead of better. In that event, cease taking the medication and contact your dental care provider right away. Your dentist may switch medication regimens to help you get on the mend more quickly and start to reduce swelling.

Soreness

Soreness and stiffness for one week after dentures is normal. Just holding your mouth open in order for the procedure to be performed can stretch and place undue stress on the musculature and tendons associated with your jaws. In addition, since injections of anesthetic were used to numb the mouth, penetration of the muscles and other structures with a needle will induce soreness as well.

Finally, there is the soreness caused by removing teeth and the formation of blood clots that help to close the extraction sites. Fortunately, most of the initial soreness caused by the procedure will lessen with each passing day and will resolve completely within about one to two weeks.

Excess Saliva

After receiving dentures for the first time, it is normal to experience excess salivation. This is because dentures are a foreign object. In the mouth, they trick the brain into believing that food is present, which naturally stimulates the flow of more saliva. Usually after one to two weeks, saliva flow will return to normal as the body becomes accustomed to the presence of dentures in the mouth.

A healthy saliva flow is actually a good thing as it helps to form a seal between the dentures and the palate that makes the dentures fit more securely.

Clinical Check Up

Within the first one week after immediate dentures, the dentist will want to see you in order to evaluate healing, your home care, and perform any necessary adjustments or modifications to your dentures. Because the shape of your jawbone and tissue are changing continuously for many months, dentures often do not fit well or may rub sores that can be uncomfortable.

Your dentist can adjust the dentures to relieve sore spots and temporarily improve the fit of the dentures. The denturist may also elect to place a temporary reline inside of the denture to help cushion the gum tissue and improve the fit.

Common Questions About Adjusting to Immediate Dentures

Understanding what to expect after receiving immediate dentures can alleviate concerns and make your transition to wearing dentures more pleasant. Patients often have unrealistic expectations when it comes to immediate appliances. In most cases, your natural teeth took a number of years to reach the point where they required removal.

You cannot expect to solve a culmination of problems that took time to develop within a single day and then go out to eat a steak like a seasoned denture-wearer that same day. Like any other medical procedure, recovery and learning to function differently takes time to figure out and master.

With the aid of your body’s response mechanisms, the transition period will eventually pass and your health will begin to improve. You’ll eventually start using a denture cleanser and eating/feeling like a pro.

How Long Does It Take to Adjust to Immediate Dentures?

Every immediate denture patient’s experience is a little different and it varies from person to person. Most people become more comfortable wearing their new dentures within one to two months. However, learning to wear dentures for the first time requires time, practice, determination, and a positive mindset. If you believe that you will be successful, you will adjust to dentures more quickly.

How Many Nights Should I Sleep with Immediate Dentures?

Generally, the answer is two nights after receiving your dentures. If you remove your dentures for any length of time within the first 48 hours after receiving them, the tissue may swell sufficiently and you may not be able to get the dentures back into place.

After 48 hours, most dentists will recommend that you begin removing your dentures while you sleep. This allows air to access your gum tissues, which helps to promote healing.

How Long Does It Take for Gums to Heal After Extractions with Immediate Dentures?

For most patients, initial healing of the gum tissue happens within four to eight weeks after the teeth have been removed. That said, this time frame varies greatly from one person to another. Patients who have health problems will naturally take longer to heal than an otherwise healthy individual.

It is also important to distinguish between healing of the gum tissue, which takes four to eight weeks, and full healing of the underlying bone, which normally takes about four to six months for most healthy people. After the bone heals completely is when most people receive new dentures to replace their immediate dentures.

How Long Before I Can Eat After Immediate Dentures?

Certainly, wait until the numbness fully wears off before attempting to eat in order to avoid causing trauma to the tissues in the mouth, your tongue, or your lips. Avoid eating or drinking hot or frozen foods or beverages or drinking through a straw that could disrupt blood clot formation and cause a painful dry socket.

Stick to lukewarm or cool soft foods with the consistency of pudding or yogurt and gradually build up to foods that are more difficult to chew as time progresses. Baked fish, soft scrambled eggs, macaroni and cheese, baked sweet potatoes, and spaghetti are some examples of foods that can be easily eaten with minimal chewing. Shakes that are fortified with nutritional supplements are beneficial for maintaining daily vitamin and mineral requirements as you learn to chew and use your dentures effectively.

Immediate Dentures with European Denture Center

If you’ve decided that immediate dentures are in your future, you want to work with an experienced provider who is competent working with patients in a similar situation. Why not trust the capable professionals at European Denture Center to help you through that process?

We’ve successfully helped thousands and thousands of patients who have transitioned to dentures immediately after having their teeth removed. Some have even gone on to receive implant dentures as their final goal. You can, too.

The next step to your better dental health begins with making your consultation appointment today!