Yes, you can get dentures the same day your teeth are pulled. These are called immediate dentures, and they’re made ahead of time so they can go in right after the extractions. You never have to go without teeth, though the denture needs adjustments and usually a reline over the next few months as your gums heal and shrink. Soreness in the first week is common and temporary, and your dentist will plan dentures around your healing timeline.
For many people, the scariest part of losing teeth is the idea of walking around with none. Immediate dentures solve that. You walk in with your own teeth and walk out with a full smile.
The tradeoff is that your mouth changes a lot while it heals. A careful dental extraction plan and a few follow-up visits keep the denture comfortable through those changes.
Some patients would rather have fixed teeth than a removable plate. In that case, implant-supported options are worth a conversation, and dental implants can sometimes go in on the same day as extractions too.
If cost is a worry, check whether you qualify for the CDCP, which covers many dental services for eligible Canadians. Our team at Smart Care Dental can help you understand what may apply to your treatment.
What is an immediate denture?
An immediate denture is a full or partial denture made before your teeth are removed and inserted right after the extractions, at the same appointment.
Because it’s made from impressions taken while your teeth are still there, the lab has to predict how your gums will look once the teeth are gone. That’s why immediate dentures need fine-tuning later.
Immediate vs conventional dentures: what’s the difference?
| Feature | Immediate denture | Conventional denture |
|---|---|---|
| When it’s placed | Same day as extractions | After gums heal, often 8 to 12 weeks |
| Time without teeth | None | Several weeks |
| Initial fit | Good, but loosens as gums shrink | More precise from the start |
| Adjustments | Several in the first few months | Fewer |
| Reline needed | Almost always, after 3 to 6 months | Less often early on |
| Preview of appearance | Limited before the teeth come out | Can try in and adjust before finishing |
| Best for | People who can’t be without teeth at work or socially | People who can wait for a more precise fit |
How does the process work?
- Consultation and exam. The dentist checks your teeth, gums and bone, and takes X-rays.
- Treatment plan. You decide together which teeth come out and whether you need a full or partial denture.
- Impressions and bite records. Moulds or digital scans of your mouth are taken.
- Shade and shape. You pick the colour and shape of the new teeth.
- Lab work. The denture is made, usually over 2 to 4 weeks.
- Extraction day. Teeth are removed under local anesthetic, and the denture goes in immediately.
- 24-hour check. You come back the next day for the first adjustment.
- Follow-ups. More adjustments over the next few weeks as sore spots show up.
- Reline or new denture. After about 3 to 6 months, the denture is relined or remade to fit your healed gums.
How should you prepare for extraction day?
- Stock up on soft foods like soup, yogurt, applesauce and protein shakes
- Pick up any prescribed medication before the appointment
- Arrange a ride if you’ll have any form of sedation
- Clear your schedule for 1 to 2 days of rest
- Have ice packs, gauze and an extra pillow ready
- Write down questions to ask at the 24-hour check
What should you expect in the first 24 hours?
Your dentist will likely ask you to leave the denture in for the first 24 hours, even while you sleep. It works like a bandage: it protects the sockets and helps control bleeding and swelling.
- Some oozing is normal on day 1
- Swelling usually peaks around day 2 or 3
- Take pain medication as directed
- Use ice packs on your face for the first day
- Stick to liquids and very soft food
- Don’t take the denture out until your follow-up unless you’re told to
Call your dentist if bleeding doesn’t slow with gentle pressure, swelling keeps growing after day 3, you get a fever, or pain becomes severe. Get emergency care for any trouble breathing or swallowing. This article is general information and doesn’t replace advice from a licensed dentist registered with the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO).
What is it like to eat and talk with immediate dentures?
There’s a learning curve. Your tongue, lips and cheeks need time to get used to the new shape.
Eating
- Week 1: liquids, soups, yogurt, mashed potatoes and smoothies eaten with a spoon.
- Weeks 2 to 3: soft foods cut small, chewed on both sides at once to keep the denture steady.
- After a month: slowly add firmer foods. Hard, sticky and very chewy foods take the longest.
Speaking
Some words sound a bit different at first, especially “s” and “f” sounds. Reading aloud for 10 minutes a day speeds things up. Most people sound like themselves within 2 to 4 weeks.
What does healing look like week by week?
| Time | What’s happening | What you’ll notice |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1 to 3 | Blood clots form, swelling peaks | Tenderness, some puffiness, mild bleeding at first |
| Week 1 | Gums start closing over the sockets | Sore spots under the denture, easier speech |
| Weeks 2 to 4 | Soft tissue heals | Less pain, the denture feels slightly looser |
| Months 2 to 6 | Bone reshapes and settles | The denture gets looser, time for a reline |
Will immediate dentures change how you look?
Usually for the better, once you’ve adjusted. Missing or badly damaged teeth can make the lips and cheeks look sunken, and a well-made denture restores that support.
In the first days, your lips may feel full and your smile may look a little different to you. Give it a week or two before judging. If something still bothers you, your dentist can adjust the shape of the teeth or the denture base.
Why do immediate dentures need relining?
After teeth come out, the gums and bone shrink as they heal. Most of that change happens in the first 3 to 6 months. As the gums shrink, the denture gets looser and may rub in new places.
A reline adds new material to the fitting surface so the denture hugs your healed gums again. Some patients get a soft temporary reline early and a hard permanent reline later. Others choose a brand-new denture once healing is done.
What happens at a reline appointment?
For a chairside reline, the dentist adds material to the denture, seats it in your mouth while it sets, then trims and polishes it. It often takes under an hour. A lab reline takes an impression inside your denture and sends it out, usually for a day.
Full or partial immediate denture?
| Situation | Usual choice |
|---|---|
| All remaining upper or lower teeth are being removed | Full immediate denture |
| A few teeth are being removed and others are healthy | Partial immediate denture |
| Front teeth are being removed and appearance matters most | Partial or full, planned around your smile line |
| You want fixed teeth long term | Immediate denture now, implants later, or implants on the day |
Can you get implants instead of a removable denture on the same day?
In some cases, yes. Options can include:
- Immediate implant placement for single teeth, with a temporary crown when conditions allow
- Implant-retained dentures that snap onto 2 to 4 implants for better stability
- Full-arch fixed bridges attached to several implants, sometimes with temporary teeth the same day
Whether this works depends on bone quality, gum health, general health and why the teeth were lost. A 3D scan and a careful assessment come first.
What if you’re nervous about having several teeth removed?
That’s one of the most common worries we hear, and it’s completely normal. Tell us early, so we can plan the visit around you.
We’ll explain each step before it happens, check that you’re fully numb, and agree on a signal you can use to pause. Some patients split extractions into 2 visits, which can feel more manageable.
Who is a good candidate for immediate dentures?
- People who need most or all of their remaining teeth removed
- Patients who can’t go without teeth for work or personal reasons
- People in reasonably good health who can attend several follow-ups
- Patients ready for a reline or new denture after healing
What are the common myths about dentures and extractions?
- Myth: you’ll be toothless for weeks. Immediate dentures mean you leave with teeth the same day.
- Myth: dentures are only for older people. Adults of any age can need dentures after decay, gum disease or an injury.
- Myth: once fitted, dentures never need adjusting. Gums keep changing, especially early on, so adjustments and relines are normal.
- Myth: dentures always look fake. Modern materials and careful shade choice give a natural look.
- Myth: having several teeth pulled is unbearable. Local anesthetic keeps the procedure comfortable, and calming options are available for anxious patients.
How do you care for immediate dentures?
- After the first 24 hours, remove and rinse the denture after meals
- Rinse your mouth gently with warm salt water as directed
- Brush the denture daily with a soft denture brush and a non-abrasive cleaner
- Once your dentist says it’s fine, take it out at night and soak it in water or denture solution
- Never use hot water, which can warp the acrylic
- Keep every follow-up and reline appointment
Why choose Smart Care Dental for dentures?
Smart Care Dental is a trusted dental clinic in Concord and Vaughan offering a complete range of family, cosmetic and restorative dentistry. We plan immediate dentures carefully so you can get through extraction day with confidence.
We welcome new patients and CDCP (Canadian Dental Care Plan) patients, and we’re a Certified Invisalign provider for patients who want to straighten the teeth they’re keeping. Our extended evening and weekend hours make follow-up adjustments easier to fit around work and family.
Our dentists are registered with the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO), and we stay with you through every adjustment and reline. It’s a big reason local families think of us as their family dentist in Concord.
Call +1 905-738-4970 or email info@smartcaredental.ca to book a denture consultation with a dentist in Concord, or visit smartcaredental.ca. Our dental office in Concord serves patients across Vaughan, and many tell us we’re the top dentist in Vaughan for clear, unhurried advice.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I wear immediate dentures before getting permanent ones?
Most people wear them for about 3 to 6 months while the gums heal. After that, the denture is relined or a new one is made for a better long-term fit.
Do immediate dentures hurt?
Some soreness is normal in the first week as the gums heal. Sore spots are common and can be adjusted at follow-up visits.
Can I sleep with my immediate dentures in?
You’ll usually keep them in for the first 24 hours. After that, most dentists recommend taking dentures out at night so your gums can rest.
How long does it take to get used to new dentures?
Most people adapt to eating and speaking within 2 to 4 weeks. Full comfort can take a little longer while the gums finish healing.
Can I get a partial immediate denture?
Yes. If only some teeth are being removed, a partial immediate denture can fill the gaps the same day.
Conclusion
Immediate dentures let you leave with a full smile on the same day your teeth come out.
Expect adjustments in the first weeks and a reline or new denture after about 3 to 6 months.
A careful plan with a licensed dentist keeps the whole process comfortable.