Losing your teeth can feel overwhelming, but it does not have to mean living without a smile, even for a single day. Immediate dentures are designed so that you can leave our Glendale office with a complete set of teeth on the very same day your remaining teeth are removed. At Infinite Dental Wellness, Dr. Leon Kiraj and Dr. Liana Muradyan help patients transition to dentures comfortably and confidently, avoiding the embarrassment and inconvenience of going without teeth while they heal. To learn whether immediate dentures are right for you, call (818) 541-1110 and schedule a consultation.
What Are Immediate Dentures?
Immediate dentures are full dentures that are made in advance and placed in your mouth right after your remaining teeth are removed. With traditional, or conventional, dentures, patients must wait several days to even a week or more without teeth while a dental lab fabricates the final appliance after the extractions heal. Immediate dentures eliminate that gap. Because they are prepared ahead of time using measurements and impressions of your mouth, they can be inserted the same day, allowing you to begin the adjustment process right away and never go out in public without teeth.
During the transition to any dentures, two everyday functions are most affected: chewing and speech. Immediately after placement, patients eat soft foods for a few days while the gums settle, and there is a natural period of adjusting to speaking with the new dentures. Immediate dentures make this transition smoother because you only have to adapt once, rather than learning with a temporary set and then relearning with a final one. While immediate dentures are an excellent option for many people, they are not the right fit for everyone, which is why a thorough evaluation is the important first step.
Who Is a Candidate for Immediate Dentures?
While some teeth may fall out naturally with age, there are many cases in which the remaining teeth need to be removed before placing full dentures. In fact, many people find it easier to replace all of their teeth rather than manage partial dentures around a few remaining ones. Immediate dentures are often a good choice for patients who need their remaining teeth removed and who want to avoid being without teeth during healing. The best candidates generally have reasonably healthy gums and jawbone to support the denture during the healing period. During your consultation, we will examine your mouth, review your health history, and discuss your goals to determine whether immediate dentures are the right solution for you. If they are not, we will explain the alternatives so you can make a confident, informed decision.
Dentures Without the Wait
The greatest advantage of immediate dentures is convenience and confidence. By choosing immediate dentures, you receive your new teeth right after the extractions, avoiding a variety of inconveniences. You will not have to spend days or weeks without teeth while a dental lab constructs the final appliance, and you can begin adjusting to your new smile right away. There is no need to hide your smile or change your social plans during the healing period.
Benefits of Immediate Dentures
Immediate dentures offer several meaningful advantages for patients transitioning to full dentures:
- You never have to appear in public without teeth, preserving your appearance and confidence
- You learn to speak and chew with only one set of dentures, rather than adapting twice
- The dentures protect healing gum tissues after the extractions
- You can return to your daily routine with minimal disruption
- Many patients adapt to eating and speaking more quickly than with the traditional process
One of the most appreciated benefits is the simpler adjustment period. With the traditional approach, patients often learn to speak and chew with a temporary appliance, only to repeat the entire learning process once the final dentures are ready. Immediate dentures spare you that repetition, helping you regain comfortable speech and chewing sooner.
What to Expect: The Immediate Denture Process
The immediate denture process generally involves three phases: preliminary extraction of any back teeth if necessary, the fabrication phase in which your custom dentures are created from impressions and measurements, and the insertion phase when the dentures are placed after the remaining teeth are removed. Altogether, the full process can involve several appointments, and in many cases we are able to place the immediate dentures during the same appointment in which we remove the teeth. The exact length depends on your individual teeth and the structure of your mouth, which we will assess and explain during your consultation so you know exactly what to expect.
Aftercare and Follow-Up Appointments
Follow-up care is an essential part of a successful outcome with immediate dentures, and yes, follow-up appointments will be needed. Because the dentures are placed before the gums have fully healed, we will need to check the fit and make adjustments as your mouth changes during recovery. As healing progresses and the shape of your gums and jaw settle, periodic refitting or relining keeps the dentures comfortable and secure. These visits are crucial to ensure you stay healthy and avoid issues such as sore spots or a loose fit. In the first few days after placement, we recommend eating soft foods, following all care instructions, and keeping your dentures and mouth clean as directed.
Understanding Jawbone Changes Over Time
After teeth are removed, the jawbone naturally changes through a process called resorption. When teeth are no longer present to stimulate the bone, the body gradually reabsorbs some of that bone over time. While this does not happen overnight, many patients begin to notice changes within about six months, which is one reason regular follow-up visits and refitting are so important for maintaining a proper, comfortable fit. Significant bone resorption can also contribute to facial changes, such as sagging cheeks or a more aged appearance, because the underlying support diminishes. The good news is that well-fitted dentures help restore support to the face, filling out the cheeks and lips for a fuller, more youthful appearance. We will monitor these changes and adjust your dentures to keep both your comfort and your appearance at their best.
Caring for Your Immediate Dentures
Proper care keeps your dentures looking good and functioning well, and supports the health of your gums. We recommend cleaning your dentures daily as directed, handling them carefully to avoid damage, removing them as instructed to give your gums a chance to rest, and keeping all of your follow-up appointments. Continuing to care for your gums and any remaining oral tissues is just as important. We will provide complete, personalized instructions and are always available to answer questions as you adjust to life with your new dentures.
Cost and Insurance
We are committed to making tooth replacement affordable for Glendale families. Infinite Dental Wellness accepts all PPO dental insurance plans, and our team will help you understand your benefits and what to expect. Please note that we do not accept Medi-Cal or Denti-Cal. The cost of immediate dentures depends on your individual needs, including how many teeth must be removed and any preliminary care required. We are always happy to review costs and options with you in advance so you can plan with confidence and there are no surprises.
Comparing Immediate Dentures to Other Options
Immediate dentures are an excellent solution for many people, but they are one of several ways to address tooth loss, and the right choice depends on your situation. Understanding the alternatives helps you make a confident, informed decision during your consultation.
- Conventional full dentures, made after the gums have healed, which means a period without teeth but a fit tailored to your settled gums
- Partial dentures, which replace several missing teeth while preserving your remaining healthy natural teeth
- Dental bridges, which use crowns on neighboring teeth to anchor a replacement tooth without removable hardware
- Immediate dentures, which let you leave with a full set of teeth on the same day your remaining teeth are removed
During your evaluation, we consider the health of your remaining teeth, the condition of your gums and jawbone, your goals, and your budget before recommending a path forward. If you still have healthy teeth worth saving, a partial denture or a bridge may be the better choice, while patients who need all of their remaining teeth removed often benefit most from immediate dentures. We will explain the pros and cons of each option clearly so you can choose with confidence.
Restoring Confidence Along With Your Smile
Tooth loss affects far more than chewing; it can touch your confidence, your willingness to smile in photos, and how comfortable you feel in social situations. The emotional side of this transition matters, and we treat it with the same care we give the clinical side. Immediate dentures are designed so you never have to face the world without teeth, which spares you the self-consciousness that can come with the traditional approach. From your first consultation through every follow-up visit, our goal is to help you feel comfortable, supported, and proud of your smile again. Many patients tell us that getting their smile back changed how they feel about themselves day to day, and that is exactly the outcome we work toward.
Why Choose Infinite Dental Wellness
Choosing the right dental team makes all the difference when it comes to a life-changing treatment like dentures. Dr. Leon Kiraj and Dr. Liana Muradyan are a USC-trained husband-and-wife team who provide gentle, compassionate care for patients of all ages. Our Glendale office is proudly mercury-free, holds a 4.9-star rating with more than 300 reviews, and reserves time for same-day dental emergencies. We take the time to listen, explain your options clearly, and support you through every step of your denture journey.
Adjusting to Life With Your New Dentures
Adapting to immediate dentures is a gradual process, and knowing what to expect makes it far easier. In the first days and weeks, it is normal for your mouth to feel full and for speech and chewing to take some practice. Many patients find it helpful to start with soft foods cut into small pieces, chewing slowly and using both sides of the mouth evenly. Reading aloud at home can help you grow comfortable speaking with your dentures more quickly. Minor soreness as your gums adjust is common, and our follow-up visits allow us to relieve any sore spots and fine-tune the fit. With a little patience, the great majority of patients adapt well and regain confident, comfortable function.
Eating and Speaking With Confidence
As your gums heal and your dentures are adjusted, you will gradually be able to reintroduce a wider variety of foods and speak with greater ease. We will guide you on how to progress safely and offer practical tips for handling foods that can be more challenging. Over time, eating and speaking with dentures becomes second nature for most patients. Because immediate dentures let you adapt to a single set rather than relearning with a second appliance later, many people find the overall transition smoother and faster than they anticipated.
From Immediate to Long-Term Dentures
Immediate dentures are designed to serve you well during the healing period right after your teeth are removed. As your gums and jaw heal and settle over the following months, the fit of any immediate denture will naturally change due to the normal process of bone remodeling. For this reason, immediate dentures are typically refit, relined, or eventually replaced with a long-term denture once healing is complete, ensuring a secure, comfortable, and natural-looking fit for years to come. We will walk you through this entire journey, keeping you comfortable and confident at every stage and answering any questions along the way.
If you live in the Glendale area and are facing tooth loss, you do not have to live without a confident smile. Immediate dentures can help you transition smoothly and comfortably, with teeth in place the very same day. Call Infinite Dental Wellness at (818) 541-1110 to schedule your consultation and learn whether immediate dentures are the right option for you.