Immediate denture (placed the day teeth are removed)
A typical case, in 8 steps over 5 visits. Typically the back teeth are removed 6 to 8 weeks before a complete denture is made, and the denture is finished with a reline or replacement about 6 months after the teeth are removed. Every step names its source.
Not yet reviewed by a licensed clinician. Every step names its source.
Immediate denture (placed the day teeth are removed) · Visit 1
Planning visit
The dentist takes measurements and makes models of the jaw at a preliminary visit. The denture is made before the teeth come out.
Source: mouthhealthy.org
Steps in a typical case
Planning visit
The dentist takes measurements and makes models of the jaw at a preliminary visit. The denture is made before the teeth come out.
Visit 1 · Source 1
Early removal of back teeth
For a complete immediate denture, the back teeth are often removed 6 to 8 weeks before the denture is made. This lets those spots heal first, which helps the denture fit better.
Visit 1 · Source 2
Impressions and try-in
The fitting phase includes impressions, bite records, tooth selection and a try-in of the back teeth. It typically takes 4 to 5 visits, plus any preliminary surgery.
Visit 2 · Source 2
Delivery day
On the day of delivery, the teeth are removed in oral surgery and the denture is put in right away. The denture acts like a bandage over the area and helps reduce bleeding.
Visit 3 · Source 2
First 24 hours
For the first 24 hours, the denture is not taken out. If it comes out, it can be hard to fit back in because of swelling where the teeth were.
Visit 3 · Source 3
Review visit
A review is normally booked a few days after the denture is fitted. The dentist takes the denture out to clean it and adjusts any areas that cause soreness. More reviews follow as needed.
Visit 4 · Source 3
Healing and relining
The bone and gums change shape most quickly in the first few months. A soft lining may be added to the denture to improve the fit while the mouth heals. About 6 months after the teeth are removed, the denture is finished with a permanent reline or replaced with a new one.
Visit 5 · Source 2
Daily care
Brush the denture at least twice a day with soap or non-gritty denture paste and a soft toothbrush, over a sink of water. Soak it in denture cleaner at least twice a week, and store it in water when it is out.
Visit 5 · Source 3
Typical trade-offs
| Visits | Typically 4 to 5 visits to make the denture, plus any preliminary surgery, and more visits afterward for adjustments and re-fitting. Source 2 |
|---|---|
| Time to final result | Typically the back teeth are removed 6 to 8 weeks before a complete denture is made, and the denture is finished with a reline or replacement about 6 months after the teeth are removed. Source 2 |
| How long it lasts | Typically an immediate denture is a first denture for the healing period. It often needs to be adjusted or replaced up to a year later, as the mouth changes shape. Source 4 |
| Upkeep | Typical upkeep: brushing at least twice a day with soap and a soft toothbrush, soaking in denture cleaner at least twice a week and storing in water when it is out of the mouth. Source 3 |
Figures for a typical case from the sources below. A dentist can say how a given case differs.
Questions to ask your dentist
- The typical case takes 5 visits. How many would I need, and what happens at each one?
- What are my other options, including waiting, and what happens if I wait?
- How long does it usually last in a case like mine, and what upkeep will it need?
- Will it hurt, and what can I eat or do while it heals?
- What will it cost me, and will my insurance cover it? Ask which billing codes apply (the typical case uses D5130, D5140).
- How many of these have you done, and who would do mine?
Sources
- Dentures. ADA MouthHealthy. www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/dentures. Accessed November 14, 2026.
- Immediate dentures. University of Iowa College of Dentistry. dentistry.uiowa.edu/patient-care-immediate-dentures. Accessed November 14, 2026.
- Immediate dentures: information for patients. Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. flipbooks.leedsth.nhs.uk/LN002838.pdf. Accessed November 14, 2026.
- Dentures (false teeth). NHS. www.nhs.uk/conditions/dentures. Accessed November 14, 2026.
Osler Press procedure library, version 2026.11.0. Billing codes for the typical case: D5130, D5140.