When I lost my teeth, I didn’t think about the fact that I could potentially leave the dentist without teeth. I thought about the clinical aspect of the procedure, the impression, mould, and tray that felt huge in my mouth. I did think about the pause. When I realized that I had to get through this time without teeth… and that realization felt much worse than I anticipated.
That’s typically where same day dentures enter into the picture.
It seems like a fairly “easy” process. Take teeth out, take teeth back in. One appointment, one day, no uncomfortable middle ground. And dentures in a day is indeed a viable option. However, the reality of the process is not quite as slick as a magic show and is more akin to a carefully coordinated sequence of events – planning, timing, and reasonable expectations.
At Art Dentistry, we explain same day dentures in detail. We have to. Same day dentures are not hasty dentures. They are preplanned dentures which simply happen to be placed on the same day as extractions. A large distinction.
The Problem Same Day Dentures Are Addressing
Historically, dentures were made after a period of healing. Teeth were removed. Gums shrunk. Time passed (often weeks; sometimes months). Once a sufficient amount of time passed, dentures were created and placed.
This left individuals without teeth during this interval. Or with a temporary solution which didn’t feel temporary.
A number of people find this gap unworkable. Confidence, speech, eating in public, work. Life does not stop for gums to heal.
Thus, the notion of tooth extraction and dentures the same day arose out of necessity, not from a desire to provide a convenient service.
Same day dentures address the toothless window of time. They function as a bridge between what your mouth is and what it becomes.
The Planning Takes Place Before Any Teeth Come Out
I believe many people underestimate this portion of the process.
When you receive same day dentures on the day of your extractions, most of the work has been completed previously.
Prior to the date of your extractions, the dentist creates a detailed impression of your mouth with your natural teeth present. These impressions are then used to create dentures which will fit your existing bite, smile line, and facial structure. Not perfectly – perfection is not what is being promised here – but thoughtfully.
Measurements are critical. Jaw relation. Lip support. Even how you articulate specific sounds. All of these minute details help determine how natural your dentures will feel when you receive them.
By the time extraction day occurs, your dentures are already manufactured. Sitting in storage. Labeled. Ready.
Therefore, when people hear same day dentures London and think of the entire process taking place in a blur, it is inaccurate. The blur only occurs during the final stage.
The Day Itself: What Actually Happens
Extraction day usually feels longer than it actually is.
First, teeth are removed. Some cases involve several teeth. Other cases involve removing all of your teeth. In both cases, local anesthesia is used. Depending upon your anxiety and/or medical condition, sedation may also be used.
After the extractions are complete, the dentist cleans and inspects your gums. He/She will also control bleeding. Following the inspection and cleaning of your gums, the dentures are placed immediately.
This is where expectation management needs to begin.
Same day dentures are not placed for comfort on the first day. They are placed for coverage and stability. Your dentures will act similarly to a protective covering for your gums. Normal discomfort, tightness and swelling is to be expected.
People frequently ask, “Will they feel like natural teeth right away?” No. Anyone promising this is overselling. They will feel like new shoes on swollen feet. Functional. Protective. Unfamiliar.
The Next Couple Of Days Are For Adjustment
This is the time where the reflection begins.
Getting accustomed to wearing same day dentures is a process – not a moment. After your extractions, your mouth will undergo significant changes. Gums will retract. Bones will stabilize. The fit of your dentures will vary significantly between day one and day ten.
Therefore, follow-up appointments are a vital part of the process.
At Art Dentistry, adjustments are expected. Relining is part of the discussion early on. Pressure areas are alleviated. Fit is modified. This is not a sign of failure. This is a sign that the process is functioning correctly.
Your speech will likely feel different initially. Words may trip you up. Eating will require soft foods. You will have to relearn how to eat in small bites and at a slower pace than before. And one day, usually without notice, things will start to feel easier.
The Emotional Aspect Nobody Speaks About Enough
Dental extractions are not neutral. Even though teeth may be painful, loose, or diseased, there is a sense of loss associated with losing teeth.
Same day dentures soften this transition. You will leave the office with a smile. With a shape. Familiar.
However, there is still an emotional adjustment required. The initial time you see yourself with dentures may seem unusual. At times, it may be overwhelming. At other times, it may be liberating. As such, this part of the process requires patience as well.
Why Experience Is Important When Considering Same Day Dentures In London
Providing same day dentures London is not merely a means of expediting a dental service. It is providing a cohesive and precise relationship between clinical expertise and laboratory excellence.
Time is of the essence. The accuracy of impressions is of the utmost importance. The communication between the dentist and the laboratory technician is of paramount significance. When the process is executed properly, it appears seamless. If the process is rushed, it feels precisely that.
At Art Dentistry, we execute the process based on a methodical and deliberate approach, rather than a sense of urgency. Which is how same day dentures should always be approached.
A Final Thought (Not a Conclusion)
Same day dentures are not a shortcut. They are a thoughtful resolution for those who wish to maintain continuity while their mouth is changing beneath their feet, prior to the extractions. They thrive due to follow-up visits subsequent to the placement of the dentures. And, they ultimately become comfortable over time – not instantaneously.
If you are contemplating same day dentures, ask questions regarding the process – not merely the promise. Ask what happens after the first day. That is where the actual work resides.
And, truthfully, that is where the actual reassurance originates as well.
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