Adjusting to immediate dentures is a process and takes time. This can be frustrating in the beginning; but do not worry, at the Mile Zero Denture Clinic in Dawson Creek we are there to help you every step of the way.

Immediate dentures are fabricated prior to your teeth extractions so when the dentist removes your natural teeth the denture is placed immediately. The benefit is you do not have to be without your teeth. After your extractions, you are generally instructed to keep the denture in for 24 hours. After which time, you can remove the denture, clean the denture and place it back in your mouth. It is advisable to wear the denture as much as possible, evenings included, for the first week or two. Just take them out to clean them and put them back in. After the first week or two, it is healthier for your gums to remove the denture at night, while you are sleeping.

Adjustments to Prepare For:

Sore Spots and Bone Chips on your Gums

Having sore spots is normal and the denture will need to be adjusted by your denturist when they appear. If the sore spots hurt too much, you can remove the denture until you are able to see your denturist. Bone chips are also normal and will annoyingly appear and disappear, usually for the first six months. The denture can be adjusted in those areas; in some cases you will need to see your dentist to remove the bone chips.

Shrinking Gums and Loosening Dentures

Your denture may fit ok to begin with but as your gums heal, the gums will shrink. Therefore, the denture will become loose. At the Mile Zero Denture Clinic, we include in the cost of the denture, 2 temporary liners, which we complete within the first 6 months. These temporary liners will “tighten” your denture during the healing period. It takes approximately 1 year for your gums to fully finish healing. At which time, we can complete a permanent reline where we remove all the temporary liners, take a new impression and refit your denture to your gums, (this is a separate fee). Because your gum will continue to shrink your whole life, it is necessary to reline your denture every 2 years. Also, because the teeth on the denture wear down, most people will need to replace their denture every 5-8 years.

Excessive Salivation

In the beginning, you will salivate excessively, this is your body’s first step in digestion. Your body will get use to the denture in your mouth and eventually the excess salivation will lessen.

Learning to Speak Normally Again

You will lisp to begin with, until your tongue finds the correct place to form sounds. This may take some time, but reading to yourself and repeating difficult works will help. Practice makes perfect. If the lisping does not improve the denturist may need to adjust the thickness of the denture.

Eating

Eating will be a challenge too. Again, with practice and time this should improve. Start with softer food and work your way up to a more solid diet. Be sure to chop your food into smaller pieces and take your time while eating. It may not be possible to bite food off. You may need to cut up food like apples or sandwiches instead of using the biting motion. Also, the sore spots from fresh extractions may hinder your ability to eat, but be patient, this is a process and it will take time to heal as well as learn how to eat. You may need to wait until after your first temporary reline before you will be able to try chewing harder food. Be sure to see your denturist for an adjustment if your chewing does not improve over time.

Adjusting to immediate dentures is a process and everyone has a different experience depending on their individual situation and mouth type. Either way the Mile Zero Denture Clinic will be there for you while you are adjusting to your dentures. Getting dentures for the first time can be a positive experience.

Below are steps needed to complete your immediate denture and tips on eating with new dentures. Also refer to our Patient Education and FAQ pages for more information on dentures.

How Many Appointments Will I Need To Complete My Immediate Denture?

Making a denture takes 7 steps, from taking the first impressions to inserting the new dentures and follow-up care.

1. Consultation

During this preliminary step, the denturist will explain what an immediate denture is, what to expect from an immediate denture, cost, the process and steps to complete the immediate denture and the follow up care necessary to be successful with an immediate denture. She/he will also examine the oral cavity and discuss other treatment options if necessary. We will answer any questions and concern you may have.
We will help you book your remaining appointments and coordinate them with your dentist. We will organize it for you.

2. Exam & first impressions-*** full payment is required at this appointment**

Your denturist will examine and document the oral cavity and structures. Impressions are taken for the construction of the immediate denture. A bite registration will be established and tooth shade will be selected.

3. Bite registration (will not be necessary if bite was established at the previous appointment)

Taking the bite” is a process of establishing the position of the upper jaw to the lower. Tooth Shade and mould is also selected at this appointment.

Your dentures will be created and the teeth will be delivered to the extracting dentist prior to your extraction appointment. You will receive a “goody bag” which will include a denture brush, a denture case, dental gel (for sore spots),renew denture cleaner samples and information pamphlets explaining care cleaning and maintenance and post-op instructions.

4. Check-up

You will have an appointment with your denturist to check your denture and adjust any sore spots. The bite will also be examined at this appointment. Instructions on care, cleaning and maintenance will be explained. Your first temporary liner appointment will be booked at this time for approximately 2 months from this date.

5. First Chair-side Temporary Reline

Your denture will be very loose by this appointment and your denturist will reline the inside of the denture to refit the denture to your gums. It should “tighten” the denture. Your second temporary reline appointment will be booked at this time for 6 months after your extraction date.

6. Second Chair-side Temporary Reline

Your denture will be loose again by this appointment and your denturist will reline the inside of the denture to refit the denture to your gums. If you need any more liners after 6 months you will be charged for them. A recall will be booked for 1 year after your extraction date to either reline or remake your denture.

7. Processed Reline or New Denture Start **New charge for this service**

It will be a year since your extractions the healing and gum shrinkage due to extractions should be complete. It is now time to reline the denture. Impressions will be taken inside your denture in the morning and you will be without your denture until 4:00pm at which time you will pick up the denture and the denturist will adjust any pressure spots.

Dentures need to be relined every 2-3 years and replaced every 5-8 years.

Sometimes during the healing process the gums change shape so much that it is necessary to take a new impression and remake the denture.

Adjustments

Adjustments are necessary to ensure comfort after your start using the dentures. Immediate dentures require several adjustments because the oral tissues are changing shape as they are healing. You do not have to wait until your scheduled temporary liner appointments to have your denture adjusted, phone the office whenever you have a sore spot. The Mile Zero Denture Clinic is dedicated to helping you adjust to your denture and will be there to help you every step of the way.

Denture Cleaning Kits available for purchase! A one-stop-shop for the supplies you need to care for your new dentures.

Tips for Eating with New Dentures

Eating a healthy diet requires the ability to chew your food, which isn't an easy task if you've been fitted with new dentures.

Adjusting to life with dentures may take a little time. You should be able to chew most foods with dentures that fit properly, however you may need a little practice at first.

1.Start with a liquid diet that includes purees and soft foods such as apple sauce, puddings, cooked cereals, chopped cooked eggs and soup broth.

2.Be careful with hot liquids and foods so you don't burn your mouth. You won't be able to judge the temperatures properly due to the insulating quality of the denture.

3.Don't hold liquids in your mouth for a long time before swallowing. This can loosen bottom dentures.

4.In the beginning you might find that foods taste different with dentures. Your sense of taste should improve over time, as you become used to the denture in your mouth, the mind will be less distracted.

5.When you're ready to move on to solid foods, start with a mechanical soft diet. Be sure to cut your foods into very small pieces.

6.Distribute your food evenly on both sides in the back of your mouth when you chew, this will help keep your dentures more stable while you eat.

7.Chew slowly and thoroughly before you swallow - don't gulp down large pieces of unchewed food -- you could choke on them and it is hard on your digestive system.

8.Slice fresh fruits and vegetables into very thin slices or chop them into tiny pieces so they are easy to chew, or cook them before serving.

9.Whole grain breads and cereals are good for you, but they may stick to your teeth - eat them with liquids to make them easier to chew and swallow.

10.Replace tough red meats with poultry, fish, eggs and legumes, or choose stewed or slow-cooked meats.

11.Denture adhesives may help for eating foods that require a strong bite (like corn on the cob),but if you need to use adhesive you should see your denturist as there may be something he/she can do to help.

You should be able to eat almost anything, but there are some foods that may always be difficult to eat such as apples, foods that are hard, sticky or contain small particles. Be cautious with whole fresh fruits, hard crusty breads, tough red meats, peanut butter, chewing gum, sticky candy, fruits and berries with seeds, nuts and coconut.

Give us a call to book a Free Consultation and discuss with one of your Denture Specialist how we can get you eating and smiling with your first dentures.