Dentures are a common oral appliance designed to replace lost or missing teeth, giving you back your smile and functionality. While these oral prosthetics are designed to be a comfortable replacement, pain and discomfort can occur, especially with new dentures. But why do permanent dentures hurt and how long do dentures hurt? Here we take a closer look at dentures and why you may experience discomfort.
Key Takeaways
- Dentures replace missing teeth to improve smile and functionality.
- Discomfort and pain may occur with new dentures, especially immediate dentures.
- Pain may be caused by healing and getting used to new dentures, lasting up to a month.
- Different types of dentures include partial, full, and implant-supported dentures.
- Discomfort is normal, but if pain persists, dentures may need to be adjusted for a better fit.
What are dentures?
Dentures are oral prosthetics designed to replace lost or missing teeth in order to improve your smile and give you back functionality when it comes to eating and speech. There are three different types of dentures: partial, full, and implant-supported dentures. Partial dentures are designed to replace one or a few missing teeth and are usually supported by clips that attach to surrounding teeth. Full dentures are removable appliances that replace an entire arch of teeth. They are held in place with natural suction or the use of dental adhesives. Implant-supported dentures combine the use of a full arch denture attached to dental implants, giving you a more secure and permanent arch replacement.
Does getting dentures hurt?
When getting dentures for the first time, you will likely experience some discomfort. This pain and discomfort can come from the healing process of restorative dentistry before your immediate denture placement and/or from your gums getting used to the new denture. If you have immediate dentures or those placed immediately after tooth extraction, it will take time for the swelling to subside and the tissues to heal. During this healing period, it is normal to experience some discomfort. As the swelling goes down, you may find that your new dentures are not fitting correctly and can contribute to sore spots and discomfort. In many cases, it can take a few weeks for your gums to completely adjust to the new dentures. However, if you do not see improvement, you may need to have your dentures realigned to provide a better fit.
To learn more, check out “Things You Should Expect When Getting New Dentures.”
How long will new dentures hurt?
Adjusting to your new dentures can take time, especially if you have immediate dentures. It typically takes around a month for your gums to adjust to the new appliance. However, if you require multiple adjustments and alignments during that initial month to help the denture fit better, this adjustment period may take a little longer.
