When is the Right Time to Get Dentures After Tooth Extraction?
After having teeth extracted, many people wonder how long they will have to wait before getting dentures. The answer depends on a few factors, including the number of teeth being removed, the type of extraction (simple or surgical), and the condition of your gums. In most cases, you can expect your gums to take at least a few weeks to heal.
However, if you are having multiple teeth extracted or if you require surgery, it may take longer. Once your gums have healed and the area has been properly fitted, you will be able to get dentures. In the meantime, you may want to consider using a soft food diet and bridges or partial dentures to keep your smile looking its best.
How long do gums need to heal?
The time it takes for gums and another tissue to heal varies from patient to patient. The type of denture a patient is planning to get also plays a factor. For example, a custom-made denture requires gums to heal for three to six months.
During this time, gums will be allowed to heal, and patients will meet with their dentist for fittings and adjustments. This ensures that they will be a perfect fit when the gums are healed and ready for permanent dentures. In the meantime, patients are often given temporary dentures.
Temporary Dentures
Temporary dentures are often used soon after a patient’s teeth are extracted. While these dentures often serve a cosmetic purpose, they also help preserve the jawbone’s integrity and the mouth’s shape as it heals. Temporary dentures are essential in the process. When teeth are extracted, the surrounding jawbone begins to shrink. Temporary dentures stop this from happening. However, temporary dentures must also be relined or refitted to ensure a proper fit until the permanent denture is fabricated.
How dental implants affect the process?
When patients have dental implants as part of their denture process, the healing period between extraction and permanent dentures takes more time. In most cases, patients have to wait between four and six months. This allows the titanium screws in a patient’s gums to connect with their jawbone. Additionally, the tissue around the implants needs time to heal before permanent dentures are put in place.
Once a patient’s gums are healed, the next step in the process is undergoing cleaning. This step may be quite time-consuming, depending on how long it has been since a patient’s last cleaning. However, without clean gums, dentures, especially partial dentures, may not attach to any clasps or remaining teeth. Because of this, it is essential not to skip this step.
If you have dentures, you know how important they are to your quality of life and appearance. If you are new to the denture process and have yet to be fitted for a set, you may wonder what the process entails. For example, if you have to have an extraction to get dentures, you may wonder how long you will wait for your gums to heal before getting the dentures. A general dentist cannot fit you with permanent dentures immediately after an extraction. Your gums and other tissues will need time to heal.
Contact a general dentist today
Suppose you are scheduled for a tooth extraction or recently removed some teeth and have questions. Contact a general dentist. Getting dentures is a life-changing experience. However, there are many steps involved that will make the process easier. Having questions and concerns about getting dentures and all the steps involved is normal. Your dentist can give you all the necessary information.