Getting Adjusted to Having a Partial Denture for One Missing Tooth

Adjusting to major changes in your mouth, like a partial denture for one missing tooth, is never really easy, but with a little preparation and some knowledge of the recovery path ahead, it is possible to have a smooth transition to partial dentures. If your partial denture is for a single missing tooth, the adjustment period is still very similar to that of other partial dentures. It takes about a month for most patients' mouths to fully acclimate, but most people find they are back to a routine diet in just a week or two.

The first week after placement

The first week is when patients tend to change diet to accommodate the new denture if they do so at all. A new prosthetic like a partial denture often comes with some tenderness and irritation near the placement site because the gums are unused to the fit of the denture. Soft, mild foods are a good idea during this time. As your discomfort decreases, you can return to a normal diet. If there is any pain associated with the adjustment, it tends to be most pronounced during this week as well because your mouth is just getting used to the new partial denture for one missing tooth.

Your second week with the partial denture

Discomfort tends to decline sharply during the second week, with most patients reporting only minor feelings of continued adjustment past the 14-day mark. Your mouth is still acclimating after that, and you may notice shifts in weeks three and four. However, few people report pain and discomfort during that final phase. This second week is when you might be tempted to test things with harder, crunchier foods, but make sure you follow any specific dietary guidelines from your dentist even if you feel better before the end of the recommended recovery timeline. Here are some additional things to remember:

• Everyone recovers at a different pace, but it pays to take things slowly just in case.
• Not everyone feels discomfort even when the site is still healing and tender.
• Adjusting to a new feature in your mouth like a partial denture is not linear, and some discomfort could return.
• If pain escalates suddenly or returns after abating completely, make sure you contact your dentist for advice.

Single tooth replacement dentures tend to come with fast healing times because the affected area by the placement is small. Denture technology has also led to decreases in recovery times over the last couple of decades, making this a much smoother transition for patients than it used to be.