Tooth extraction and dentures often become the next step when ongoing dental problems begin to outweigh the benefits of trying to preserve failing teeth. When multiple teeth need to be removed, planning for what comes next becomes just as important.
Many people worry about spending weeks or months without teeth while their mouth heals. At Big Sky Dentures & Implants in Missoula, MT, we provide immediate dentures. We provide a removable denture on the same day as your extractions, you can leave the office with a complete smile already in place.
How We Plan for Tooth Extraction and Dentures
Immediate dentures require careful planning because your denture must be ready before your teeth are removed. Our goal is to create a restoration that fits comfortably after extraction while helping you maintain your appearance as you heal.
We begin with an examination and detailed imaging of your teeth, gums, and jawbone. We use specialized imaging, such as cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), which provides a three-dimensional view of structures inside your jaw, including the bone, tooth roots, nerves, and sinuses. A CBCT scan shows these hidden areas in 3D so we can plan your extractions and dentures more accurately and safely.
Next, we capture digital scans of your mouth using iTero technology. The standard method to gain a precise model of the mouth is a traditional impression, which uses a gooey material that can feel uncomfortable and trigger gagging for some patients.
Our digital scans create accurate 3D models without any traditional impression materials. Our “impressionless” approach is faster, more comfortable, and preferred by many patients. The digital models give us the information needed to evaluate your bite and begin designing your future denture.
Your denture is then fabricated using the digital records we collected during the planning phase. A laboratory uses these models to create a restoration that is ready for placement on the day of your procedure.
What To Expect During Your Treatment
When your treatment day arrives, we perform the planned extractions and place your immediate denture before you leave the office. The denture serves as a temporary set of teeth while your gums and jawbone heal and gradually adapt to their new shape.
To make the extraction process as gentle as possible, we use the Piezotome CUBE, an ultrasonic device designed to remove teeth with minimal disruption to the surrounding bone and soft tissue. Traditional extractions often rely on significant force to loosen and remove a tooth. The Piezotome CUBE uses ultrasonic energy, reducing trauma to the treatment area. Research has shown that this approach may reduce postoperative pain and swelling by more than 50% compared to conventional extraction methods.
Once the teeth are removed, we place your immediate denture right away. You do not spend weeks or months without teeth while you wait for healing. The denture helps restore your smile immediately while also protecting the extraction sites during the early stages of recovery. As your gums and bone heal over the following months, we monitor the fit and make any necessary adjustments to keep your denture comfortable and functional.
Healing With Your Immediate Dentures after Extraction
Since we create your immediate dentures before your extraction, your mouth will continue to change after the dentures are made.
As the extraction sites heal, your gums gradually shrink and settle into a new shape. At the same time, the jawbone that once supported your teeth begins a natural remodeling process. These changes are a normal part of healing, but they also affect how your denture fits.
A denture that feels snug immediately after placement may gradually loosen as the gums and bone change over the following months. There is nothing wrong with the denture; it is just a reflection of the healing process. When you come in for follow-up visits, we monitor your progress and make adjustments to keep the denture comfortable and functional.
During the first few weeks, some soreness, swelling, and tenderness are to be expected. Your gums may feel sensitive as they heal around the denture, and eating may require some patience while the tissues recover. Many patients find that softer foods are more comfortable during this period.
As healing continues, we may recommend adjustments or relines to improve the fit of your denture. A reline involves modifying the inside surface of the denture to better match the changing shape of your gums. Over the next four to six months, these refinements help your denture adapt as your mouth heals.
Make the Transition From Extractions to Dentures Easier
Immediate dentures help remove one of the biggest worries about tooth extraction: going without teeth while you heal. Your denture is made before your procedure and placed right after your extractions.
At Big Sky Dentures & Implants, we use digital planning and gentle extraction technology to make this process more comfortable from the start. If tooth extraction and dentures are part of your next step, schedule a consultation today. Discover how same-day dentures can support you through the healing phase.
