DENTAL DILEMMAS – Dr Ansar Mahmood from Synergy Dental Clinics helps with advice on dental problems

Q. Is it possible for me to have same-day teeth?

A. Most people who have an ‘acceptable’ looking set of teeth that need to be replaced usually like them to be put in on the same day they have been taken out.

It is perfectly understandable that people feel there is an urgency in getting teeth replaced on the same day as teeth are missing. This is a common source of lowered self-esteem and can make people feel self-conscious.

One of the ways you can have your teeth replaced on the same day can be through a process called an immediate denture. An impression will be taken two weeks before the planned tooth extractions and the dental technician will estimate the position of your gum after your teeth have been removed.

In this type of procedure, however, the bone and gum can significantly change shape and shrink for the first three months after extraction. So, that type of denture may never really fit perfectly and patients often end up needing a new one after a few months

The other, more advanced method is referred to as ‘All-on-4’ or ‘All-on-6’. This is an implant treatment where dentists restore all, if not most, of the teeth. Implants are placed with the help of a digitally-planned surgical guide and the technician adjusts a denture-like restoration that has already been prepared in just a couple of hours and is permanently attached.

Since it is fixed, you do not have to remove it and you walk out with great-looking teeth as well as having your confidence restored.

* For more information about dental issues, contact Synergy Dental Clinics Bury, email bury@synergydental.org.uk or go to synergydental.org.uk/dentist-in-bury