If you’ve recently had some teeth pulled, you may be interested in getting a new set of dentures as quickly as possible. After all, the sooner you can get your new prosthetic, the faster you can get used to them.
However, knowing exactly when would be right for you to receive the treatment depends on quite a few factors. If you want to know more about how quickly you can get dentures after an extraction, here’s a guide that may be able to help you.
When Can I Get My Dentures?
There are two routes you can go with your dentures if you’ve just had teeth extracted. You can either a) wait for the wounds to heal before getting your prosthetic, or b) get it immediately. Each method has its benefits, and each has its inconveniences. Which you go with ultimately comes down to personal preference.
The Immediate Method
If you can’t stand to wait for your dentures, you have the option of getting them immediately after having your teeth extracted. In this scenario, your dentist would take an impression of your teeth before the tooth is removed, then wait a few weeks for it to be crafted in the lab.
The dentures will act like a kind of bandage that can protect the extraction area as it heals. This can be kind of uncomfortable, and requires you to learn to talk and chew with your prosthetic while the gums are still tender.
Your gums will also shrink as they heal, meaning that you’ll need more frequent relinings than if you wait. However, some patients feel that it’s worth it to not have a gap in their smile while the wounds close up.
Dentures After Healing
By waiting for the gums to return to normal, you can get a more accurate set of dentures from the beginning. You’ll also be more comfortable, which can make adjusting to talking and eating with the prosthetic a little easier.
However, you’ll have to spend 6 to 8 weeks waiting for the extraction areas to heal, and longer if you don’t take care of the wounds properly. Depending on the number of teeth you had extracted, that means around two months of having a pretty substantial gap in your smile.
In the end, whichever method you choose, you won’t have to wait that long to get your prosthetic. You’ll have a full, healthy smile again before you know it!
About the Author
Dr. William Poe is an incredibly experienced dentist who is proud of being able to help his patients with just about any issue they could have with their teeth. He has been practicing since 1989 and has received extensive training in cosmetic, neuromuscular, and orthodontic treatments. Dr. Poe is a graduate of USC Dental School and has completed advanced education courses with the prestigious Las Vegas Institute.
If you have any questions about dentures, he can be reached at his website or by phone at (562) 594-5067.