Good things come to those who wait—or so the saying goes. However, in many situations in life, especially when waiting to make your smile whole again, it can be challenging to remain patient. As you have teeth extracted, you mentally start counting down the days until you can get your custom dentures.
But just how long will you have to wait after extraction to get your new teeth? Why can’t you get them right after extraction? Is the wait even longer for implant dentures? Keep reading to find out!
How Long After Tooth Extraction Do You Need to Wait for Dentures?
Your gums are not ready immediately after tooth extraction for your custom prosthetic teeth. If your dentist offers temporary dentures, your gums typically still require at least 6 to 8 weeks to close and heal. At that point, short-term dentures may be used to help you in daily functions. They will likely not fit perfectly or even very comfortably, but they shouldn’t be painful or cause bleeding.
For most people, however, additional time is needed to allow the jawbone to shrink, which usually happens within the first three to six months of losing teeth. After these changes, your dentist can order your custom dentures, confident that you should experience less shrinkage in the jawbone moving forward.
What Could Prolong the Time It Takes to Get Dentures?
Every person is unique and heals at a different rate. However, there are choices that could extend the timeline between extraction and dentures even more, namely smoking. This habit typically prolongs the healing process throughout the body, meaning you may not be ready for your new dentures until weeks or months later. If possible, it’s best to avoid smoking and other potentially harmful behavior that could interfere with your replacements.
What about Implant Dentures?
The process of getting implant dentures is even lengthier than normal dentures. It could require up to a year to complete because you will need to undergo surgery to place the implants and allow plenty of time for the jawbone to produce new growth around the posts. However, considering all the benefits, most who get implant dentures are happy with their decision in the long term.
Ultimately, time does pass. You will receive your dentures, and in the grand scheme, a few months is a short time to wait when you consider how long you’ll be able to enjoy your new teeth, especially with implant dentures. While you wait, try to be patient and keep this in mind!
About the Author
Following in his father’s footsteps, Dr. Stephen Boyles is a Fellow with the Academy of General Dentistry, an exclusive honor, and is an active member in many other professional organizations including the International College of Oral Implantologists. As a result, he proudly offers implants and implant dentures as well as traditional dentures for interested patients. If you have questions about these replacement options, you can contact Boyles General Dentistry & Implant Center in Midland online or call 432-685-7011.