Dentures are the go-to solution for missing teeth. The issue is that getting dentures is typically a time-intensive process, leaving you without teeth after extraction until you are healed and the dentures are made.
Same-day dentures offer an alternative. Rather than spending weeks, even months, toothless, you get extractions and temporary dentures the same day. These immediate dentures aren’t a permanent solution, but they bridge an important gap. Want to learn more? Keep reading for key details on same-day dentures.
What Are Same-Day Dentures?
Before you go Googling “same-day dentures near me,” you need to understand what you’re potentially signing up for. There are various types of dentures. So, what exactly are same-day dentures?
Same-day dentures are what the name implies: they’re dentures you get and start wearing the same day your teeth are extracted. Also called immediate dentures and dentures in a day, these are an alternative to the traditional approach of extracting the teeth, waiting for the gums and bones to heal, and then fitting the dentures.
Same-day dentures can be complete dentures, standing in for an entire arch of missing teeth, or partials, filling in just a few gaps. They aren’t meant to be used long term, so they are typically lower quality than traditional dentures. That might sound like a problem, but as your gums heal, they will shrink, meaning any dentures you get directly after extractions will quickly be obsolete (usually within 8 months).
Immediate dentures serve three primary purposes: function, protection, and an aesthetic boost. Since your teeth are essential to things like speaking and eating, this temporary replacement ensures you can keep living life as normal. Same-day dentures will also protect the gums as they heal, keeping debris away from the holes as they close. But for many patients, the biggest bonus of same-day dentures is the confidence boost they get, knowing that they are filling in the gaps that would otherwise show when they talk, laugh, and smile.
How Do Same-Day Dentures Work?
Already searching “same-day partial dentures near me?” Pause your fingers — you might want to know a bit more about what to expect. Despite being called same-day dentures, you actually might need multiple appointments before you get them. The same-day aspect is referring to combining your extractions and denture fitting; it doesn’t mean the whole process is done in a day.
What Is The Procedure for Same-Day Dentures?
The process of getting same-day dentures starts with a consultation. Your dentist will sit down with you to discuss your goals and concerns, then fully examines your teeth, taking whatever diagnostic images might be needed. They will determine which teeth need to be extracted and note any that are already missing.
After the exam and diagnostic images, they will create a mold of your teeth — either a physical one or a digital version using 3D scanning technology. This mold will be used to create the temporary dentures. Before you go home, you’ll choose the color of your dentures and other aesthetic features that matter to you, such as tooth shape and length.
Once your temporary dentures are ready, your dentist will schedule your extraction and fitting appointment. At this visit, all the teeth that need to go will be removed and the temporary dentures will be adjusted to give you a good — though probably not perfect — fit.
After that, it’s a waiting game to see how long it takes for your gums to heal. For most people, this will take at least 3 months, though up to 8 is still normal. During these months, you’ll need to come in for check-ups and relining (aka: refitting your dentures so they stay in place better). Once your dentist determines you are fully healed, they’ll take new impressions and have permanent dentures made. In most cases, they’ll be ready within a month and your same-day dentures can be retired.
How Quickly Can Same-Day Dentures Be Obtained?
How long does it take to make same-day dentures? There is no set timeline for how quickly you’ll get yours, nor is there a specific number of days between getting your temporary dentures and your permanent ones.
There are multiple variables at play, including your overall oral health, if you need to get your teeth extracted in stages, and who makes same-day dentures for your dentist. For many people, it will be at least four weeks between your initial appointment and getting the dentures.
As for the time between your temporaries and your permanent dentures, this depends on how you heal. If you are in good overall health, you might be ready for those within 2–3 months. But if you don’t tend to heal fast, it might be more like 8–12 months before you are ready for the switch.
How Much Do Same-Day Dentures Cost?
If you are hoping for cheap same-day dentures to solve your missing-teeth woes while saving you money, this isn’t likely to happen. But why is that?
Affordable same-day dentures do exist, but this affordability is when you compare them to other same-day dentures, not against conventional ones. And that’s because same-day dentures are temporary; you need to pay for them plus the permanent dentures once you are healed. Expect to pay anywhere from 25% to 100% more for same-day dentures than you would comparable conventional ones.
So, what do same-day dentures cost? Basic options usually range from $600–$2,000 per plate, while premium same-day dentures run $2,000–$4,000 per plate. On top of this, you’ll need to pay for extractions, which can run between $75 and $550 per tooth. You could get conventional dentures for less, but this means sporting gaps for a while as you wait to heal. But compare this to full-mouth dental implant costs, and you are saving, so it is a matter of perspective.
If you have dental insurance, it should help cover the cost of same-day dentures, assuming you have already met your deductible. There are also dentists that provide same-day dentures that accept Medicaid. Just keep in mind that Medicaid heavily restricts dental coverage and the limits vary by state, so look into this before locking into treatment.
Same-Day Dentures vs. Conventional Dentures
At this point, you probably have a basic understanding of how same-day full and partial dentures differ from conventional options. However, there are more details to keep in mind. Here is a look at the pros and cons of each.
Pros and Cons of Same-Day Dentures vs. Conventional Dentures
There are pros and cons of same-day dentures and conventional dentures. Which is best will depend on which features matter most to you. Below are the main points to consider.
- Cover gaps from the day teeth are extracted.
- Take months from start to finish.
- $600–$4,000 per plate.
- Often requires 5+ visits for planning, fitting, relining, and final dentures.
- Tend to not offer a perfect fit and the fit changes as the gums heal, lowering function.
- Usually require one month from planning to fitting.
- $300–$3,000 per plate.
- Usually just needs 2–3 visits.
- Should fit well and function close to natural teeth from day one.
- Leave gaps exposed for the duration of healing.
Keep in mind that the pros and cons of each may vary based on which same-day denture service you are looking at. Don’t be afraid to get estimates from multiple providers before signing on for treatment.
Extractions and Dentures in the Same Day
On one level, getting tooth extraction and dentures the same day sounds great: no gaps, better protection, no sunken-in cheeks, and an easier time speaking and eating. All good things. But is getting extractions and dentures at the same time safe?
As long as your same-day dentures and extractions are offered by a reputable provider, there is nothing you need to worry about in terms of safety. Just be sure to follow your at-home care instructions carefully and attend all follow-up appointments.
Taking Care of Same-Day Dentures
Now that you’re ready to find same-day dentures in your area, you need to learn about how to care for them. The following are the basic steps that go into caring for same-day dentures.
- Keep them in place for the first 24 hours after they are set. This may feel strange, especially when sleeping. Consider sleeping in an elevated position, like in a recliner.
- Clean your dentures and sockets 4–5 times a day, being very gentle with your sockets. Be sure all debris are removed.
- Attend all dental check-ups and see your dentist any time the dentures stop fitting well.
- Avoid biting into foods with your front teeth.
- When eating, try to chew evenly between both sides of your mouth.
- Eat slowly until you get used to your dentures.
- Avoid hard, chewy, and sticky foods.
- Use denture adhesive to keep your dentures in place, following the directions of your dentist.
- Avoid smoking for at least the first 72 hours after extractions and fitting.
- Don’t drink hot liquids for a minimum of 24 hours.
If your dentist offers instructions that deviate from those above, go with their guidance. They know you and your situation best.
FAQ
Expect to dedicate yourself to a lengthy but potentially quite rewarding process. Anticipate at least one appointment before your extractions and fitting, and then one appointment every so many weeks from then until you get your permanent dentures.
The dentures themselves shouldn’t be painful, but the extractions and sockets left behind can be. Your dentist will talk to you about pain management and avoiding dry sockets before you go home. If at any point the pain is too great, speak with your dentist as something could be wrong.
There is no universal answer. They aren’t right for everyone, especially those with certain dental conditions that heal better without an appliance in place. But if you are in overall good health and don’t want to deal with gaps, they could be the ideal solution.
Cheap same-day dentures near you aren’t made the same day you see your doctor for the first time. Rather, they are made after your consultation but before your extractions. They are then put in place the same day your teeth are removed.
Everyone will have their own answer to this. For many, they are. But for others, the increased cost isn’t worth hiding their missing teeth for a few months. You have to weigh the pros and cons and decide for yourself.
Sources
- Immediate Dentures. (2023). Retrieved 16 March 2023, from https://dentistry.uiowa.edu/immediate-dentures
