Patients who no longer have their natural teeth can choose from several dental restoration options, such as dental implants, bridges, and various types of dentures. In this article, we discuss the following question: How long does it take to get dentures after teeth are pulled? We also discussed the procedure of denture stabilization and how soon after tooth extraction it can be performed.
How Long Does It Take to Get Dentures After Teeth Are Pulled?
There are several main types of dentures you can get after tooth extraction:
Traditional Dentures
It can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months for your gums and jawbone to heal entirely after tooth extraction before you can get traditional dentures. Waiting for the jaw bone and gums to heal and settle will ensure a more accurate fit of dentures. Thus, the dentures will be more comfortable for daily use.
Immediate Dentures
An option called immediate dentures can be available to some patients. Immediate dentures can be placed directly after tooth extraction, but they are typically temporary and will need to be replaced once the healing is complete. Immediate dentures protect the gum tissue while it is recovering. However, this type of denture is usually not custom-made and may be less comfortable than permanent dentures. Immediate dentures can also require frequent adjustments to minimize rubbing and irritation in the mouth.
Implant-Supported Dentures
If you opt for implant-supported dentures (a denture stabilization method) instead of traditional ones, you will need to wait 3 to 6 months after the extraction before the implants can be placed. Then, you need to allow for an additional 3 to 6 months for the implants to fuse with the jawbone before dentures can be attached to them. However, in some cases, implants can be placed directly after extraction. The timeline will depend on the oral and general health of a patient, their age, and tissue regeneration speed.
Even though getting implant-supported dentures can take more time than getting traditional dentures, many patients opt for this option due to its many benefits:
- Implant-supported dentures are affixed to several dental implants instead of relying on the gums and jaw bones for support.
- Implant-supported dentures are stable and secure in the mouth and do not shift or slip when a patient is chewing or speaking.
- Implant-supported dentures minimize the risk of rubbing and irritation in the mouth.
- Implant-supported dentures provide patients with significantly more biting force compared to traditional dentures. This helps patients enjoy a bigger variety of foods and improves nutrition.
Tips for Faster Healing after Tooth Extraction
Understandably, you want to get dentures as soon as possible after your teeth are extracted. Below, we list some tips that will help you have a smoother and quicker recovery:
- Infections can prolong recovery significantly. Maintaining good oral hygiene after tooth extraction will help prevent infections.
- Use a saltwater rinse 3 to 4 times a day to kill bacteria in the mouth.
- Be careful to preserve blood clots that form in the sockets after your teeth are extracted. The formation of a clot is an essential step in healing and typically happens within the first few hours after tooth extraction. If the clot is disturbed, the healing will be much longer and can cause pain. To preserve the clot, be very careful when cleaning around the area of tooth extraction, and do not swish water in the mouth. Also, you should avoid drinking through a straw as the suction in the mouth can disturb the clot.
- Opt for a liquid diet in the first several days after extraction and then continue with a soft diet. Liquid and soft foods require minimal chewing and will be easier to consume while your mouth is healing.
- Avoid alcohol and nicotine-containing products. Both these substances slow down regeneration and put additional stress on the recovering body.
- Take several days off work, especially if you have multiple teeth pulled out. You might experience swelling in the face and pain for several days after the procedure, so we recommend minimizing physical activity and getting plenty of rest and sleep. You should also abstain from doing sports for about 10 days after the procedure.
Get High-Quality Dentures at iSmiles LB
Do not hesitate to make an appointment with a leading dentist at iSmiles today. Our specialists will examine your oral health and take your goals and concerns into consideration to offer you the most suitable type of dentures. We use high-quality materials for our custom dentures to provide our patients with comfortable and efficient dental restorations.
