Losing teeth is rarely something anyone plans for, and one of the first questions patients ask is whether they can leave the dental chair with something in place straightaway. The short answer is yes, in many cases. Immediate dentures, fitted on the same day as extraction, are a real option for patients who meet certain clinical criteria. At Fitzroy Dental Practice in Fitzrovia, London, we help patients understand exactly what same-day dentures involve, how they compare with conventional dentures, and what to expect in the weeks that follow.
What are immediate dentures, and how do same-day dentures work?
Immediate dentures are a set of removable false teeth fabricated before your extractions take place, using impressions taken at an earlier appointment. On the day of extraction, once the teeth are removed, the dentures are fitted directly into the mouth before you leave the practice. The result is that you never spend time without teeth.
This differs from conventional dentures, where patients wait several weeks for the extraction sites to heal before impressions are taken and dentures are made. Immediate dentures skip that waiting period entirely, which is the primary reason many patients choose them.
Who is a good candidate for same-day dentures after tooth extraction?
Immediate dentures suit patients who are losing multiple teeth and want functional replacement without a gap period. Most patients in reasonable general health and without significant infection at the extraction sites are clinically suitable. Your dentist will assess gum health, bone levels, and the number of teeth being removed before confirming whether the immediate route is appropriate for you.
Patients with active uncontrolled gum disease, significant infection, or certain medical conditions affecting healing may need infection management before same-day placement is safe. Your clinical team at Fitzroy will advise you clearly on this at your assessment appointment.
Do immediate dentures look natural on the day they are fitted?
Immediate dentures are made from a model taken of your mouth before extraction, which means the dental laboratory works without seeing the final ridge shape after teeth are removed. For most patients, the result looks very reasonable on day one, and the teeth can be shade-matched to suit your complexion and preferences. However, because the fit is based on pre-extraction measurements, some adjustment is almost always needed in the weeks that follow as the gum tissue changes shape during healing.
What are the advantages of getting dentures on the same day as extractions?
The most obvious benefit is continuity: you leave the practice with teeth and avoid the social and practical difficulties of spending weeks without them. For patients concerned about eating, speaking, and appearance during a recovery period, same-day dentures remove a significant source of anxiety.
Immediate dentures also serve a clinical function: they act as a protective covering over the extraction sites, helping to reduce bleeding and protect the healing tissue, much like a bandage. Many patients find discomfort is more manageable with the dentures in place immediately after extraction than it would be with exposed sockets.
Are same-day implant dentures a different option?
Yes. Same-day implant dentures, sometimes called immediate loading implant-retained dentures, involve placing implants into the jaw at the same time as (or shortly after) extractions, with a denture or fixed prosthesis attached on the same day. This is a different procedure to a conventional immediate denture and requires adequate bone volume, the absence of active infection, and specialist implant assessment beforehand. It is a popular choice for patients seeking a more stable long-term result than a removable denture provides.
How do clip-on dentures or clip-in dentures differ from immediate dentures?
Clip-on dentures and clip-in dentures are removable prostheses that use precision attachments, clasps, or implant-retained clips to improve stability compared with a conventional suction-retained denture. They are typically fitted once healing is complete rather than on the day of extraction. The terms “clip on dentures” and “clip in dentures” are often used interchangeably by patients to describe any denture that feels more secure than a standard removable plate, though technically they may refer to different attachment systems depending on the practice.
What should I expect in the days and weeks after same-day dentures are fitted?
The first 24 to 48 hours after extraction and immediate denture fitting are typically the most uncomfortable. Swelling, mild oozing, and soreness are all normal and usually manageable with over-the-counter ibuprofen and paracetamol taken as directed. Most dentists advise keeping the dentures in overnight on the first night rather than removing them, as this helps compress the tissue and support healing.
From the second day onwards, you remove the dentures to rinse with warm salt water after meals, which helps keep the extraction sites clean. Gum tissue continues to change shape substantially in the first three months as the extraction ridges heal and shrink, which means your immediate dentures will feel progressively looser as time passes.
Why do new dentures hurt, and how long does the soreness last?
New dentures create pressure points wherever the base contacts the gum tissue unevenly, which is particularly common with immediate dentures because the fit is based on pre-extraction impressions. Most patients experience some soreness at specific spots rather than generalised pain. Your dentist can identify and adjust these pressure points at review appointments, and most patients find that adjustment appointments in the first few weeks significantly improve comfort.
Persistent soreness beyond the first week or two, or sore areas that are not settling with adjustments, warrant a clinical review. New dentures should not cause ongoing significant pain; that is a signal to return to your practice rather than simply waiting it out.
How long does it take to get used to new dentures, and what helps most?
Most patients find they adapt reasonably well within four to eight weeks, though individual experience varies. Speaking clearly with new dentures typically improves within the first two weeks as the tongue and cheek muscles learn to work around the prosthesis. Eating takes longer to master, particularly with a lower denture, which relies on muscle control and the shape of the ridge rather than suction.
Practical steps that typically help include reading aloud for short periods each day to build muscle confidence with speech, starting with soft foods and progressing gradually rather than attempting hard or chewy foods in the first few weeks, and attending all scheduled review appointments so the fit can be refined.
When do immediate dentures need relining or replacing?
Most patients need a reline of their immediate dentures within the first six to twelve months. As the extraction ridges remodel and shrink, the fit between the denture base and the gum changes considerably. A reline adds new material to the fitting surface to restore the close adaptation that keeps the denture stable and comfortable. Without relining, dentures become progressively looser and may cause gum soreness through movement.
After the ridge has stabilised, typically twelve to eighteen months after extraction, most patients have a new permanent set of dentures made using accurate impressions of the fully healed ridge. These final dentures typically fit better than the original immediate set and last considerably longer with good care. How long dentures last overall varies, but most well-made sets remain functional for five to ten years before replacement becomes necessary.
How much do same-day dentures cost privately in London?
The cost of immediate dentures at a private practice in London varies depending on the number of teeth being replaced, the material used, and whether implant retention is incorporated. As a broad guide, a simple immediate acrylic denture for one arch typically costs between £900 and £1,800 at a quality London practice. Implant-retained same-day denture options cost considerably more, reflecting the surgical component. At Fitzroy Dental Practice, we provide a written treatment plan with itemised costs after your assessment, so there are no surprises at any stage.
Can I wear my old dentures after a tooth extraction?
If you already wear a partial denture and are having additional teeth extracted, your existing denture may be able to be modified to include the new gaps, which is a practical and cost-effective short-term solution whilst healing takes place. Whether this is achievable depends on the design of your existing denture and the number and position of the teeth being removed. Your dentist will assess whether modification is appropriate or whether a new immediate denture is the better clinical choice.
How do I know whether same-day dentures or waiting for conventional dentures is right for me?
Same-day dentures suit patients who cannot or do not wish to be without teeth during the healing period. Conventional dentures, made after healing is complete, typically fit better from the outset because impressions are taken of the settled ridge rather than the pre-extraction anatomy. For patients who can manage practically without teeth for several weeks and prioritise the best initial fit, waiting may produce a more comfortable result at the first fitting.
The right decision depends on your clinical situation, your lifestyle, and your priorities. At Fitzroy, we take time at your consultation to discuss both pathways honestly, including the likely costs, the adjustment expectations, and the long-term plan for a definitive denture once healing is complete.
If you are considering dentures, including same-day options, or you want to understand what immediate denture treatment involves, our team at Fitzroy Dental Practice would be glad to help. Visit our dentures page for more information or find us at 14 Fitzroy Square, Fitzrovia, London W1T 6AH. Call us on 020 7387 3317 or book online.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon can I have dentures after tooth extraction?
You can receive dentures immediately after tooth extraction when your dentist plans immediate dentures before the extraction. Immediate dentures replace missing teeth straight away, while your gums heal and change shape.
Can I get immediate dentures after tooth extraction?
Yes, immediate dentures replace extracted teeth on the same day as tooth extraction. Your dentist takes impressions before extraction and prepares the dentures in advance for fitting immediately after the teeth are removed.
How much does it cost to get all your teeth taken out and get dentures?
The cost of full dentures and tooth extraction depends on the number of teeth removed and the denture treatment required. Fitzroy Dental Practice provides an individual treatment plan and cost estimate following your dental assessment.
Do I have to go without teeth while waiting for dentures?
No, immediate dentures allow you to replace extracted teeth without waiting for your gums to heal. Your dentist fits the dentures immediately after tooth extraction, although adjustments or replacement dentures might be needed as your gums heal.
