How long did you wait for new dentures after extractions?

Eight weeks sounds about right from what I’ve heard, at least where I live. I had to wait about three months after my extractions. Did your dentist mention bone healing or anything like that? I think some folks have to wait longer if there are complications or insurance delays.

Three months feels like forever when you’re waiting to eat normal food again, doesn’t it? I remember my dentist talking about “bone healing,” but honestly, I was so overwhelmed that most of it went over my head.

Did your dentist mention bone healing or anything like that?

Waiting three months feels like ages, honestly. My dentist also brought up “bone healing,” but I was so nervous during the appointment that I barely remembered half of what was said. I did ask about immediate dentures, but he said my gums needed time to shrink or the fit would be off later. I’ve read mixed things about immediate ones - some people love them, others end up needing a bunch of adjustments. Still not sure if it’s worth the wait, but I’m trying to trust the process... even if it’s really frustrating at times.

I totally get what you mean about the wait feeling endless. Eight weeks felt like a lifetime for me, and I was counting down every day. My dentist also talked about bone healing and gums shrinking, but honestly, I was so worried about the cost of extra appointments and adjustments that I barely took it all in. The whole “immediate dentures” thing sounded tempting at first, but then I read stories about people having to go back again and again to get them refitted - just sounded like more money and hassle.

I ended up waiting because I didn’t want to risk paying for something that wouldn’t fit right. It was awkward going out without teeth for a while, but I just tried to keep my head down and not smile too much. If it saves me from having to pay for constant adjustments later, maybe it’s worth it? Still, I wish there was a faster (and cheaper) way. Just glad I’m not the only one who found the wait stressful.

Waiting’s rough, no doubt. I did the same - held off on immediate dentures because I just didn’t want to deal with all those extra fittings and bills. Felt pretty self-conscious for a couple months, but honestly, once everything healed up, the fit was way better. Not fun at all, but I think you made the right call. The costs add up fast otherwise.

We went through this with my daughter last year. The dentist recommended waiting about 10 weeks after extractions before starting the denture process, just to make sure her gums settled. It felt like forever, but the end result fit way better than what I’ve heard about immediate ones. Did anyone else’s dentist suggest a different timeline? I sometimes wonder if we could’ve started sooner.

It felt like forever, but the end result fit way better than what I’ve heard about immediate ones.

That wait really does feel endless, especially when you’re watching your kid go through it. Ten weeks sounds long, but it matches what my dentist suggested for me - he was adamant about letting the gums and bone settle before making a new denture. I remember being impatient at the time, but now I’m grateful. The fit is honestly so much better than what some friends got with immediate dentures. I know a few people who went the faster route and ended up needing lots of adjustments or even a new set down the line.

It’s tough to wait, but it sounds like you did right by your daughter. Sometimes it’s just about trusting that slow-and-steady approach, even if it’s frustrating in the moment. The comfort and fit really do pay off in the end, especially for younger patients whose mouths are still changing a bit.

The fit is honestly so much better than what some friends got with immediate dentures.

That’s interesting, because my dentist pushed for immediate dentures after extractions - said it would help with healing and keep me from feeling self-conscious. I did need a few adjustments, but honestly, I liked not having to go without teeth for weeks. Did anyone else have luck with immediates? I feel like it comes down to personal preference and how much change your gums go through.

I get why immediates are popular - no one wants to walk around toothless, especially if you’re working or out in public a lot. But I’ve seen people struggle with the fit as their gums shrink, and then they’re back for relines or even new dentures way sooner than they thought. Did your dentist mention how often you might need adjustments, or was it more of a “we’ll see how it goes” situation? I feel like the healing process is so different for everyone...

I’ve seen people struggle with the fit as their gums shrink, and then they’re back for relines or even new dentures way sooner than they thought.

Yeah, this is my biggest worry too. My dentist just said, “We’ll adjust as you heal,” which sounds a bit vague… I’m hoping it won’t be constant trips back. I’d rather wait than rush it, honestly.

I totally get what you mean about "we'll adjust as you heal" sounding a bit... open-ended. When I got mine, I swear it felt like my mouth was changing shape every week for the first couple months. The dentist kept saying, "that's normal," but it made me wonder if I was just going to be living at their office.

They did a soft reline after about six weeks, and honestly, it helped a ton. But yeah - there were a few trips back for tweaks. My gums shrank way more than I expected (apparently that's just how it goes for some people), so waiting longer might've saved me a couple visits. On the other hand, eating without teeth for months sounded like torture, so I just went with the flow.

If it makes you feel better, after the first few months things really settled down. Now it's just occasional adjustments, nothing too wild. But yeah, the whole "healing" process is definitely not one-size-fits-all...

- That “we’ll adjust as you heal” line always felt a little vague to me too. It’s like, how much adjusting are we talking here?
- You’re right about the mouth changing shape - mine felt different almost every week for a while. I started to wonder if it would ever settle down or if I’d just keep needing tweaks forever.
- The soft reline around the 6-week mark was a game changer for me too. Before that, I couldn’t get comfortable no matter what I tried.
- Gums shrinking more than expected is way more common than people think. I had a similar thing, and I remember thinking maybe something was wrong, but turns out it’s just part of the process for some of us.
- Honestly, I get the hesitation about waiting months without teeth. I probably would’ve lost my mind trying to eat soft foods that whole time.
- Once the first few months passed, things really did settle down for me as well. Now it’s just minor adjustments every now and then - nothing major.
- It’s definitely not a one-size-fits-all situation, and it can be frustrating not knowing exactly what to expect. But you’re not alone in feeling that way. It does get better, even if the timeline is a bit unpredictable.

The whole “we’ll adjust as you heal” bit cracked me up too - felt like I was signing up for a subscription service I didn’t remember ordering. My dentist had me in there so often for tweaks, I started joking they should give out loyalty punch cards. Free reline after your tenth visit, right?

I had to go about eight weeks before I got my first set, and those first few days with them were… let’s just say, soup became my new best friend. It’s wild how much your mouth changes - one week they fit fine, next week it feels like you’re biting into a shoe. The soft reline was a lifesaver for me too, though by that point I’d almost gotten used to talking with a lisp.

Did anyone else notice their taste buds felt off for a bit? For me, everything tasted like cardboard for the first month. Wondering if that’s just me or if it’s another one of those “normal but nobody tells you” things...

Did anyone else notice their taste buds felt off for a bit? For me, everything tasted like cardboard for the first month. Wondering if that’s just me or if it’s another one of those “normal but nobody tells you” things...

Yeah, I totally get what you mean about the taste thing. I went through something similar - everything tasted weirdly bland, almost like eating those packing peanuts (not that I’ve tried them, but you get the idea). I read somewhere it’s partly because the upper denture covers your palate, so it messes with how your tongue and taste buds “talk” to your food. Honestly, I thought I was just losing my mind for a bit.

I had to wait about 10 weeks after extractions before getting fitted. The healing dragged on way longer than I expected. I was practically living on smoothies and mashed potatoes. You nailed it with “soup became my new best friend.” I got so sick of blended stuff, I started experimenting with tech-y gadgets - ended up buying an immersion blender just to switch things up. Not exactly a kitchen upgrade I planned for, but it made life easier.

The constant tweaking is real. Felt like I was beta-testing dentures 1.0, then 1.1, then 1.2… Every time I thought “cool, these fit now,” my gums would shrink or shift and suddenly I’d be back in the chair. Punch card system would be genius, honestly.

I also had a lisp for a while, especially when I was on calls for work. Had to keep muting myself because I sounded like a cartoon character. It eventually faded, but I still catch it when I’m tired.

One thing that helped me with the taste issue (not a miracle fix, but worth mentioning) was sucking on citrus candies or using those little flavor packets in water. Kind of tricks your brain into noticing flavors again.

Anyway, glad I’m not the only one who felt like a walking dental experiment. Hang in there - it does get less weird, even if it never feels 100% “normal.”

That taste thing is honestly one of the weirdest parts for me too. I kept second-guessing myself, wondering if I was just being dramatic or if something had gone wrong. Nobody really warns you how much your palate affects flavor until it's covered up - like you said, it’s not just about chewing. For a while there, everything tasted muted and almost metallic? Super off-putting.

I also felt like my mouth was on this never-ending “adjustment” cycle. It’s wild how much your gums can change even weeks after extractions. I’d just get used to one fit and then boom - back for another tweak. Frustrating, but it does seem to settle down eventually.

I totally agree about the citrus candies. I found that chewing sugar-free gum helped wake up my taste buds a bit too. It’s not a miracle cure, but it made things less boring.

The lisp thing hit me hard, especially when talking to people at work. I was really self-conscious about it at first, but honestly, most folks didn’t even notice or just thought I had a cold.

You’re definitely not alone in feeling like this process is weirder than anyone lets on. It gets easier, even if it’s never exactly like before.

That metallic taste is so common, but people rarely talk about it. Your palate really does play a bigger role than we realize - losing that “normal” taste can feel unsettling. The constant gum changes are tough, but you’re right, it does settle down with time. You’re handling it better than you think.

That metallic taste brings back memories. My daughter went through a similar thing after her extractions last year. She was only 12, and I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect the taste changes to bother her so much, but it really threw her off - she kept saying everything tasted like she’d been chewing on pennies. I guess as adults we just power through, but for kids it’s a whole different ballgame.

We waited about eight weeks before her dentist gave the green light for her first set of dentures. That felt like forever at the time, especially with her being self-conscious at school and struggling with soft foods. I remember her gums changed shape every couple of weeks. The dentist kept saying, “Let’s give it a little more time,” and I was getting impatient, but looking back, I’m glad we waited. The fit was much better than what I’ve heard from folks who rushed it.

The palate thing is real. She said it felt like her mouth was “empty and echoey” for weeks, and she hated how water tasted. It took a lot of trial and error to find foods she’d actually eat - yogurt, mashed potatoes, and scrambled eggs became our best friends. She got used to it eventually, but there were definitely tears and a few dinner standoffs along the way.

It does settle down, but I’d say patience is key. I thought I was being tough on her, but honestly, she handled it better than I would’ve at her age. The weird tastes, the changes, all of it - it’s a lot for anyone, let alone a kid. If anyone else is going through this with their child, just know the weird taste and gum changes are normal, and it really does get easier, bit by bit.

That metallic taste really does linger, doesn’t it? My son had all his upper baby teeth pulled when he was 11, and he complained non-stop about that “battery flavor” for weeks. I honestly thought he was exaggerating at first, but after tasting his water bottle one day (he insisted it was “weird”), I realized he wasn’t making it up. It’s wild how taste can change so much after dental work.

We ended up waiting almost ten weeks before his dentist would even discuss starting the denture process. I remember feeling like it was dragging on forever, especially since his gums looked different every time we checked. I got a little frustrated, but hearing stories of ill-fitting dentures from people who rushed it made me rethink pushing for a quicker timeline.

He struggled with food, too - mashed bananas and pudding were pretty much all he’d touch for a while. The emotional side caught me off guard more than anything. He was embarrassed at school and didn’t want to talk about it. Looking back, I wish I’d been more patient. The adjustment period is rough, but you’re right - it really does get easier, just not as fast as you hope.

I remember feeling like it was dragging on forever, especially since his gums looked different every time we checked.

That “battery flavor” is spot on - took me right back. After my extractions, I remember water tasting off for weeks, almost like licking an old coin. I waited nearly three months before they even started fitting my dentures. It felt endless, but honestly, my gums kept shrinking and changing the whole time. Rushing it can really backfire; I’ve met folks who needed constant adjustments because they got fitted too soon. The emotional piece is real too - losing teeth at any age messes with your confidence. It does get easier, just not overnight.