We fitted a custom removable prosthesis to replace missing teeth and restore chewing, speech, and smile esthetics. We checked the pressure points, refined the bite, and polished borders so the appliance is comfortable and stable. If you received an immediate denture (same day as extractions), it acts like a protective bandage over healing gums—expect more adjustments during the first weeks as tissues change.

Soreness & hotspots: Light rubbing areas are common. Don’t “tough it out.” Call us; plan short, quick adjustments rather than self-fixes.

Extra saliva / fuller feeling: Your brain adapts in a few days. Sip water and swallow normally.

Speech: “S” and “sh” sounds may feel off. Reading aloud for 10–15 minutes twice daily speeds adaptation.

Chewing: Start with soft foods, cut small, chew bilaterally (both sides) to stabilize the denture/RPD.

RPD clasps: May feel tight at first. Do not bend them—this weakens the metal. We’ll fine-tune.

If you had extractions today (immediate denture): Mild oozing is normal. Keep firm gauze pressure for 30–45 minutes if bleeding resumes. Swelling typically peaks at 48–72 hours then eases.

Follow-up

Immediate denture: a 24-hour check, then visits at 1 week, 3–4 weeks, and as needed.

Conventional denture/RPD: a 1-week adjustment, then as needed.

Call or text us anytime you’re unsure—we’d rather hear from you early than late.

Pain control (only use what your provider approved)

• First-line (if you can take NSAIDs):

• Ibuprofen 600 mg every 6 hours as needed (with food). Max 2,400 mg/day.

• You may combine or alternate with Acetaminophen 500 mg every 6 hours as needed. Max 3,000 mg/day total acetaminophen (account for combo cold/pain meds).

• If you cannot take NSAIDs: use Acetaminophen alone (dosing above).

• Avoid aspirin the first few days (can increase bleeding).

• Antibiotic or rinse (if prescribed): take exactly as directed and finish the course. Call for rash, hives, breathing issues, or severe diarrhea.

• Steroid / anti-inflammatory (if prescribed): take on schedule; it helps swelling and comfort.

• Nausea prevention: light meals and meds with food; small sips of clear fluids.

Immediate dentures (placed after extractions today):

Keep in continuously for the first 24 hours unless we told you otherwise—this helps control swelling/bleeding. We’ll remove/clean and adjust at your 24-hour check.

After that first visit: remove nightly.

Removable Partial Dentures (RPDs):Wear during waking hours; remove at night. Insert and remove along the path we showed you—don’t bite down to force it.

Complete dentures (conventional):

Day 1–3: Wear during the day; remove at night to let tissues rest.

If sore spots develop, wear the denture 2–4 hours before your adjustment visit so the marks are visible for us to relieve accurately.

Interim Acrylic Partial (“Flipper”)

Short-term during healing; acrylic is brittle—handle over water/towel.

Expect loosening as sockets shrink; we’ll soft-reline as needed.

First 24 hrs after immediate delivery: usually keep in until your follow-up; then remove nightly.

Repairs/tooth additions are often possible—no superglue; bring all pieces.

Flexible Thermoplastic Partial (e.g., nylon)

Insert/remove along the exact path—do not bend clasps (can permanently loosen).

No bleach, alcohol cleaners, or hot water; use flexible-safe cleanser/soaks; ultrasonic is okay only with flexible-safe solutions.

Adhesives are generally not recommended; if you feel you need them, call for a fit check.

Relining options are limited; significant changes may require lab modification or remake.

Cast-Metal Removable Partial Denture (RPD)

Fit & insertion: Seat with finger pressure along the path we showed—don’t bite to snap it in. Remove nightly to rest tissues.

Clasps & rests: Do not bend clasps (weakens metal). If tight/loose, we’ll adjust. Occlusal rests support the bite—avoid chewing ice/hard objects.

Chewing & adaptation: Start soft, small bites, chew bilaterally. Advance diet over 1–2 weeks.

Hygiene: Brush the RPD daily with a denture brush + non-abrasive cleanser (no regular toothpaste).

Clean your abutment teeth around clasps carefully (floss/threader/interdental brush). Consider fluoride toothpaste/varnish if recommended.

Soak & storage: Keep moist overnight in water or denture soak; no hot water. Keep away from pets.

Maintenance: Expect periodic clasp retensioning and relines as tissues change. If you clench/grind, ask about a nightguard for remaining teeth.

Complete Dentures (CD)

Adaptation: Speech and chewing improve over 1–3 weeks (keeps improving for several). Read aloud 10–15 min/day to speed speech adaptation.

Upper vs. lower: Lowers are naturally less retentive—use bilateral chewing and practice. A small amount of adhesive is okay once sore spots are resolved (remove old adhesive daily).

Hygiene & tissue health: Clean denture daily; brush gums, tongue, palate with a soft brush. Remove nightly and soak to prevent denture stomatitis.

Relines: Expect fit changes over time. Plan relines every 1–3 years (earlier for immediate dentures—soft reline ~6–12 weeks, definitive reline/rebase ~3–6 months).

Diet & care: Start soft, small bites; avoid hard/sticky/seedy foods until stable. No hot water/bleach on the denture.

When to call: Persistent sore spots, looseness requiring heavy adhesive, rubbing ulcers > 10–14 days, or cracks/teeth popping off (bring all pieces—no superglue).

Diet (first week): Soft, cool-to-warm foods; tiny bites; chew on both sides. Avoid hard, sticky, seedy foods and very hot liquids until comfortable.

Clean the appliance daily:

Over a sink filled with water or lined with a towel (prevents breakage if dropped).

Use a denture/RPD brush and non-abrasive denture cleanser (no regular toothpaste—too abrasive).

Rinse thoroughly to remove cleanser before placing back.

Clean your mouth: Brush gums, tongue, and palate with a soft toothbrush; floss remaining teeth. Pay special attention around RPD clasps/abutment teeth.

Soak nightly: Keep the prosthesis moist in water or a denture-soaking solution. Never hot water (warping). Keep away from pets—they love to chew them.

Adhesives: A small amount can improve comfort once sore spots are resolved. Remove old adhesive daily. Adhesive is not a substitute for a proper fit—call us if you rely on it heavily.

Heavy bleeding that doesn’t slow after 45–60 minutes of firm gauze pressure (for immediate cases).

Rapidly increasing swelling, fever ≥ 100.4°F (38°C), foul taste/drainage, or worsening pain after day 3.

Ulcers that don’t improve in 10–14 days, white patches that rub off/bleed, or sharp broken acrylic/metal.

Difficulty swallowing/breathing—go to the ER/911.

Broken denture/RPD: stop wearing; bring all pieces—we’ll repair or remake safely.

Sore spots & adjustments (the success habit)

Expect several quick adjustments in the first weeks. That’s normal and included in typical care plans.

For pinpoint tenderness, wear the prosthesis 2–4 hours before your visit so we can see precise pressure marks and relieve them accurately.

Do not self-adjust with files or tools, and never use superglue—it’s toxic and ruins repairs.

Relines, tissue changes & timelines

Immediate dentures: Your gums and bone shrink as they heal. Plan on a soft reline at ~6–12 weeks, and a definitive reline or rebase around 3–6 months (timing varies by healing).

Conventional dentures/RPDs: Fit may loosen over time due to natural changes. Periodic re-fitting (reline) or clasp tightening keeps comfort and function high.

If you clench/grind, a nightguard (for remaining teeth) or occlusal review may be recommended.

FAQ — Dentures & Removable Partial Dentures

▶ How long until these feel “normal”?

Most people turn the corner in 1–2 weeks; speech and chewing keep improving over 3–6 weeks. Immediate dentures often need more early tweaks.

▶ Should I sleep with them in?

Generally no—remove nightly to rest tissues and prevent infections. Exception: immediate dentures often stay in for the first 24 hours until your check.

▶ My gums have sore spots—what do I do?

Keep the prosthesis in for 2–4 hours before your visit so we can see the pressure marks and relieve them precisely. Don’t self-adjust.

▶ Can I use denture adhesive?

Yes—a small amount after sore spots are resolved. Remove old adhesive daily. If you depend on adhesive to function, you likely need an adjustment or reline.

▶ Lower denture feels loose—is that normal?

Yes—lowers are the most challenging. Chew on both sides, practice, and see us for border molding/adjustments. Some patients benefit from implants for added stability.

▶ How do I clean it? Can I use toothpaste?

Use a denture/RPD brush with non-abrasive cleanser. No regular toothpaste (too abrasive). Clean over a water-filled sink or towel to prevent breakage.

▶ Do I need to soak it at night?

Yes—keep it moist in water or a denture soak. No hot water (warps it).

▶ Is bleach okay?

No bleach on metal or colored acrylic—it weakens/whitens materials and can corrode clasps. Use a denture-specific cleanser.

▶ Can I use an ultrasonic cleaner?

Yes—ultrasonic baths with denture-safe solutions are fine. Rinse well before wearing.

▶ What if it cracks or a tooth pops off?

Stop wearing it and bring all pieces—we’ll repair properly. No superglue (toxic, ruins repairs).

▶ What if an RPD clasp feels too tight/loose?

Do not bend clasps. A quick in-office adjustment protects the metal and your abutment teeth.

▶ Why does food taste different?

Extra acrylic coverage and increased saliva can change taste early on; it usually improves as you adapt.

▶ I’m gagging—any tips?

Small, frequent wear intervals; practice nasal breathing; a pea-size adhesive dot can help stability. We can adjust palatal thickness or borders if needed.

▶ When will I need a reline?

Immediate dentures: expect a soft reline at ~6–12 weeks, then a definitive reline/rebase around 3–6 months as healing stabilizes.

Conventional dentures/RPDs: relines as tissues change; many patients benefit every 1–3 years.

▶ How long should a denture/RPD last?

With good care and periodic refitting, 5–7+ years is common. Teeth/wear patterns and tissue changes drive the timeline.

▶ Can I eat normally again?

Yes—start soft, cut small, and chew bilaterally. Advance to firmer foods over 1–2 weeks. Avoid seeds/nuts until fully comfortable.

▶ What about thrush or red, sore tissue under the denture?

That can be denture stomatitis. Remove nightly, clean thoroughly, and call us—antifungal treatment or a reline may be needed.

▶ Dry mouth makes wearing tough—any ideas?

Sip water, xylitol gum/lozenges, saliva substitutes (e.g., gels/sprays). Review meds with your physician.

▶ Can I wear them during sports?

Use caution. For contact sports, consider a custom mouthguard and remove the prosthesis to protect it (and you).

▶ Travel tips?

Pack a small kit (brush, cleanser tabs, case). Don’t wrap in a napkin at restaurants—easy to throw away. Keep out of reach of pets (they love them).

▶ When should I call you right away?

Heavy bleeding (immediate cases), rapidly increasing swelling, fever ≥100.4°F (38°C), foul taste/drainage, worsening pain after day 3, broken appliance, or ulcers that don’t improve in 10–14 days. For trouble breathing or swallowing, call 911.

We’re here for you. If you’re unsure about anything—call us. If you ever experience trouble breathing, rapidly spreading swelling, or difficulty swallowing, call 911 or go to the ER.

How to reach us

Prime Emergency Dental

(425) 864-7600