An Immediate denture is a complete or partial removable prosthesis that is fitted immediately after extraction or modification of teeth. The prosthesis replaces the missing/modified teeth and where required, the adjacent hard and soft tissues. It is constructed prior to the extraction of teeth and is used immediately to provide function and aesthetics which are lost as a result of tooth removal and avoid the embarrassment patients may have with living without teeth, while waiting for the tissues to heal prior to definitive tooth replacement.1 (See image 1) Some clinicians take impressions on the day of the extractions and fit the dentures a few days later. These dentures are fraught with challenges as the alveolar ridge begins to resorb soon after. Therefore an immediate denture is only truly an immediate denture when fitted on the day of the extractions.~The use of a removable prosthesis within the UK is currently around 19% of adults in the general population 2 and in spite of this decreasing trend, as patients retain their natural dentition into older age,2 there is still a need for prosthodontic replacement as teeth are lost as a result of caries, periodontal disease, tooth wear or trauma. 3,4,5 The provision of an immediate denture can be challenging and close co-operation between patient, technician, and clinician is required.
In the first part, after a brief introduction, the advantages and disadvantages of immediate dentures are compared. There is a detailed discussion on assessment and treatment planning which includes history taking, examination of the soft and hard tissues, current prostheses, occlusion as well as discussion on investigations required and formulating a diagnosis. The first part ends with a summary of types of immediate dentures and denture designs.