Traditionally, after you have several teeth removed, it is necessary to wait a while for your gums to heal so a dentist can take moulds of your gums and use them to create for you a set of dentures. However, a new process, known as same-day or immediate dentures, can create dentures right away so that you can start using them as soon as your teeth have been removed. Here are a few of the main pros and cons of this technology.

How Do Dentists Make Same Day Dentures?

Instead of using moulds taken from your gums, dentists create same-day dentures using photographs taken of the teeth before removal. With the help of a computer program, they combine these images to create a three-dimensional model of your teeth and gums and then create dentures to fit. These dentures can be ready for you to take home right after your teeth are removed.

Same Day Dentures: Pros

The primary advantage of same-day dentures is that there is no waiting period, so you don't have to deal with the awkwardness of being without teeth. You can put your dentures in as soon as you feel comfortable and start getting used to how they feel and function. You might like to practice speaking and eating in private before you wear them to an event so that there is no risk of embarrassment.

Same-day dentures often look very realistic. Dentists use the images they take to carefully match the shape and colour of your natural teeth, which means that the dentures look real.

Same Day Dentures: Cons

The main problem with same-day dentures is that they do not always fit quite as perfectly as dentures that have been made using moulds of the gums. Some users find that their new dentures can cause minor discomfort. They might also be prone to slipping and require the regular use of denture adhesive to keep them in place.

Thankfully, an imperfect fit doesn't necessarily mean that you need new dentures. A dentist can reline the dentures after your gums have healed to improve their fit. Although there is a cost associated with denture relining, it is typically much lower than the price of new dentures. Denture relining is also a very quick procedure, typically taking place within a single day, so you won't be left without teeth while you wait for them to be ready.