Immediate Dentures: What to Expect When You Get Them in Australia

Immediate dentures (also called same day dentures or temporary dentures) are a type of denture you can wear straight after having teeth removed, so you’re not left without teeth while your gums heal. In Australia, they’re a popular option for people who want to maintain their smile, speech, and confidence during the healing phase after extractions.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through what immediate dentures are, who they suit, what the appointment timeline looks like, how they feel in the first few weeks, and how much you can expect to budget. If you’re considering treatment in Campbelltown or Fulham (SA), this will help you know what’s normal – and what to do next.

Quick answers 

• Do you get teeth the same day? Usually, yes. Immediate dentures are generally inserted on the day your teeth are extracted. 
• Are immediate dentures permanent? Not usually. They’re typically a “healing denture” and may be replaced or upgraded once your gums stabilise. 
• Will they feel tight at first? Yes – they often feel snug, bulky, and strange initially. This usually improves with adjustments. 
• How long do you wear them? Commonly 3 to 6 months, depending on healing and bone/gum changes. 
• Do they need relining? Almost always. As swelling goes down and gums shrink, the denture fit changes. 

What are immediate dentures?

Immediate dentures are dentures made in advance from impressions of your mouth. They’re fitted immediately after tooth extractions, often on the same day. That means you can walk out with a full smile rather than waiting weeks without teeth.

They can be:

• Immediate full dentures (if all remaining teeth are removed) 
• Immediate partial dentures (if only some teeth are removed) 

Because your mouth changes quickly during healing, immediate dentures are often considered temporary dentures at first – even though some patients keep them longer with relines and maintenance.

Key takeaway: Immediate dentures are designed to protect healing gums and give you teeth straight away, but the fit will change as you heal.

Who are immediate dentures best for?

Immediate dentures may suit you if:

• You need multiple extractions and don’t want to be without teeth 
• You have visible front teeth being removed (aesthetic priority) 
• You want support for speech and facial profile during healing 
• You prefer a staged approach before considering longer-term options 

They may be less suitable if:

• You have uncontrolled gum disease or infection that must be stabilised first 
• You’re not able to attend follow-up adjustment appointments 
• You’re hoping for a “final fit” straight away (immediate dentures almost always need refining) 

If you’re also exploring same day dental implants, your dentist may discuss whether an implant-supported approach could be appropriate – but it depends heavily on bone quality, infection risk, and your medical history.

Immediate dentures vs conventional dentures: what’s the difference?

Immediate dentures

• Inserted straight after extractions 
• Help you avoid a toothless healing period 
• Usually require multiple adjustments and a reline 
• Often a stepping stone to a more stable long-term denture 

Conventional dentures

• Made after healing (often 6-12 weeks or more after extractions) 
• Tend to fit more accurately from the start 
• But you may be without teeth during healing (unless you have a transitional option) 

In plain terms: Immediate dentures prioritise “teeth now”, conventional dentures prioritise “best fit later”.

What the process looks like in Australia

Every clinic runs slightly differently, but this is the typical pathway.

1) Consultation and planning

We assess:

• Your teeth and gum health 
• Whether extractions are needed and how many 
• Your bite and jaw relationship 
• Your expectations (appearance, timeline, comfort) 

This is also where we discuss alternatives like staged extractions, conventional dentures, or implant options.

2) Impressions and records appointment

We take impressions (or digital scans) and measurements to design your denture. We also:

• Choose tooth shape and shade 
• Discuss smile line and natural-looking proportions 
• Plan how the denture will sit while gums are swollen 

3) Extraction day and denture insertion

On the day:

• Teeth are removed (often under local anaesthetic, sometimes with sedation if suitable) 
• Your same day dentures are inserted soon after 
• You’ll receive instructions on eating, cleaning, and managing soreness 

A helpful mindset: the denture is acting like a “bandage” and a cosmetic replacement at the same time.

4) Follow-up adjustments (very important)

In the first week or two, it’s common to need adjustments for:

• Sore spots 
• Rubbing on the gums 
• Speech issues 
• Bite imbalance 

5) Healing changes and relines

As swelling reduces and gums shrink, the denture may feel loose. Many patients need:

• A temporary reline (to improve fit during healing) 
• Later, a more durable reline or a new denture once tissues stabilise 

Key takeaway: Immediate dentures are a process, not a single appointment. Follow-ups are part of success.

What does it feel like at first?

It’s normal for immediate dentures to feel unfamiliar. Common early experiences include:

• Fullness or bulkiness (especially on the palate/roof of mouth) 
• Extra saliva (your mouth thinks something new is “food”) 
• Speech changes (lisping on “s” sounds is common early on) 
• Sore spots (pressure points as gums heal) 
• Tightness (swelling can make them feel snug) 

Most patients improve noticeably over the first few weeks – especially with timely adjustments.

A realistic patient scenario

A typical patient might say: “They look great, but they feel big and I can’t chew properly yet.” That’s normal. Early dentures are about healing and aesthetics first; confident chewing usually improves with time, practice, and fit refinements.

Eating with immediate dentures: what to expect

For the first few days, plan for comfort foods:

• soups (not too hot), mashed veggies, yoghurt, scrambled eggs 
• soft pasta, minced meats, flaky fish 
• smoothies (avoid very seedy ingredients early on) 

Tips that help:

• Cut food into smaller pieces 
• Chew slowly and evenly on both sides 
• Avoid sticky lollies, crusty bread, nuts, and very hard foods early on 

As healing progresses and the denture fit stabilises, your diet usually becomes more flexible.

Cleaning and caring for immediate dentures

Daily cleaning basics

• Rinse after meals (gentle rinse; avoid aggressive swishing right after extractions) 
• Brush dentures with a soft brush and denture cleaner (not toothpaste, which can be abrasive) 
• Clean your gums and tongue gently with a soft toothbrush once comfortable 

Sleeping with immediate dentures

Often, dentists recommend wearing immediate dentures overnight for the first 24-48 hours to help control swelling and protect extraction sites. After that, you may be advised to remove them at night – but follow your dentist’s instructions, because your situation may differ.

How long do immediate dentures last?

Immediate dentures can last months to years, but the key issue is fit. Your gums and bone remodel after extractions, especially in the first 3-6 months. That’s why many patients:

• keep the immediate denture as a transitional appliance, then 
• upgrade to a better-fitting “final” denture later 

If you love the look of your immediate denture, great  we can often maintain it with relines or improvements. But if it becomes loose or uncomfortable, it’s usually not a sign of “failure”. It’s a predictable part of healing.

Do immediate dentures need adjustments or relines?

Almost always, yes.

Adjustments

Small trims and smoothing to remove pressure points. These are common in the first few weeks.

Relines

A reline adds material to the inside of the denture so it fits the changing gum shape.

Signs you may need a reline:

• the denture rocks or lifts when you talk 
• food packs underneath constantly 
• sore spots that keep returning 
• you need lots of adhesive to function 

Key takeaway: Expect at least one reline during healing.

What about same day denture repair?

This is slightly different, but it comes up often.

Same day denture repair usually refers to fixing a broken denture (cracks, snapped base, missing tooth) quickly – sometimes within the day depending on the lab setup and the damage.

If you already wear dentures and one breaks, don’t try DIY glues. Over-the-counter adhesives aren’t designed for permanent repair and can affect how it fits or irritate gums. Contact a dental clinic promptly to assess whether a repair is safe and how quickly it can be done.

Immediate dentures vs same day dental implants

Some people search both because they want a fast, confident smile solution. They’re not the same treatment.

• Immediate dentures: removable teeth replacement inserted after extractions 
• Same day dental implants: implants placed (sometimes with a temporary fixed tooth/bridge) in selected cases 

Same day implants can be an option for some patients, but suitability depends on:

• infection levels 
• bone volume and density 
• bite forces and grinding 
• medical history (e.g., smoking, diabetes, certain medications) 

A helpful way to think about it:

• Immediate dentures are often the simpler, lower-cost, faster-start option. 
• Same day implants may offer a more stable long-term solution for eligible patients, but are more complex and costlier. 

(Internal link: link “dental implants” to the clinic’s implants service page.)

How much do immediate dentures cost in Australia?

Costs vary across Australia depending on complexity, materials, and whether extractions are included.

As an indicative guide:

• Immediate partial denture: often from the high hundreds to a few thousand dollars 
• Immediate full denture: commonly from a few thousand dollars and up 
• Additional costs may include: extractions, relines, adjustments, and future denture upgrade 

Our dental clinic in campbelltown & fulham can give you a more accurate estimate after an exam and records appointment. If you have private health insurance with extras, you may be able to claim part of the cost depending on your level of cover and waiting periods.

Common concerns (and what’s normal)

“My denture feels loose after a few weeks”

Common. Swelling reduces and gums shrink. This is often fixed with a reline.

“I’m getting sore spots”

Also common. Book an adjustment – don’t “push through” ongoing pain.

“My speech sounds different”

Normal early on. Reading aloud for a few minutes a day can help.

“I’m using adhesive a lot”

Occasional adhesive use can be okay, but needing it constantly may mean you need a reline or review.

When to call the dentist urgently

Contact a dentist promptly if you have:

• severe or worsening pain that doesn’t improve 
• heavy bleeding 
• swelling that’s rapidly increasing 
• fever or signs of infection 
• a denture that won’t seat properly or causes sharp pressure on one area 

If you’re in Campbelltown or Fulham and you’re unsure, it’s better to ask early – small issues are usually easier to fix when addressed quickly.

How we help patients at All Smiles Centre

At All Smiles Centre, we see a lot of patients who want to avoid the “no teeth” phase after extractions. Our approach is to plan immediate dentures carefully, explain what to expect in the first few weeks, and support you with follow-up adjustments as your mouth changes.

Whether you’re visiting us in Campbelltown, SA or Fulham, SA, we focus on comfortable, natural-looking outcomes – and practical advice you can actually use at home.

FAQ: Immediate dentures in Australia

1) Are immediate dentures the same as temporary dentures?

Yes, in many cases. Immediate dentures are often considered temporary dentures because your gums and bone change during healing, which affects fit. Some people keep them longer with relines, but many upgrade later.

2) Do immediate dentures hurt?

You may feel soreness and pressure at first, especially after extractions. The denture can also rub as tissues heal. Adjustments are common and can make a big difference to comfort.

3) How long after extractions do you get immediate dentures?

Typically the same day. They’re made in advance and inserted straight after teeth are removed, which is why they’re also searched as same day dentures.

4) Will I need a reline with immediate dentures?

Almost always. As swelling goes down and gums shrink, the denture can loosen. A reline helps improve fit, comfort, and chewing.

5) Can I switch from immediate dentures to implants later?

Often, yes. Many patients use immediate dentures during healing and later discuss options like implant-retained dentures or fixed implant solutions. Your dentist will assess timing, bone levels, and overall suitability.