Why are temporary teeth needed, and for how long?
In full-arch implant treatment, the final bridge is made only after the implants have bonded with the jawbone. According to Cleveland Clinic, this usually takes three to six months, and it can take longer if bone grafting was needed. The patient summary of a Cochrane review on the timing of implant loading also notes that, in the conventional approach, implants are left without load for at least three months.
The second reason is the gums. Leeds Teaching Hospitals explains that after teeth are extracted, the bone and gum that supported them change shape; this happens fastest in the first few months, and dentures fitted straight after extractions are usually replaced once healing is complete. Cleveland Clinic also describes how impressions are taken after the implants have healed and how the final prosthesis is made in a laboratory from them. Temporary teeth mean that you are not left without teeth while you wait, and that you can keep speaking and eating.
For patients who travel to Türkiye, this waiting period usually falls between two trips: the implants are placed on the first trip, and the final bridge is fitted on the second, several months later. You will therefore spend most of the temporary phase at home. The total time varies from person to person, depending on whether extractions are needed, the quality of your bone and any additional procedures. The overall course of treatment is described on our page about full-arch implants.
What temporary options are there?
| Option | How it is held | When it is considered |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary bridge fixed to the implants (immediate loading) | Attached to the implants; you do not take it out | If the implants are stable enough at the moment of placement |
| Removable temporary denture (healing denture) | Rests on the gums and palate; not attached to the implants | If immediate loading is not suitable, or if the implants are to heal without load |
Immediate loading: The 5th Consensus Conference of the International Team for Implantology (ITI) reports that loading implants in jaws without teeth immediately with a one-piece fixed temporary prosthesis is as predictable as early and conventional loading, in both the upper and the lower jaw. The ITI notes that this approach gives fixed teeth straight away, reduces the discomfort caused by a removable temporary denture and shortens the overall treatment time. However, the stability of each implant at the moment of placement must be confirmed, and bone augmentation or a sinus lift in the same session is regarded as a relative contraindication to immediate loading. The Cochrane review likewise sees an insertion torque of at least 35 Ncm as one of the preconditions for successful immediate or early loading. It found no convincing difference in implant or prosthesis failure between loading times, but rated the quality of the evidence as very low.
Healing denture: According to Cleveland Clinic, this denture works as a set of teeth but is not attached to the implants, so that the implants can heal without carrying load. Leeds Teaching Hospitals also explains that a removable denture can be fitted straight after extractions and replaces the teeth until the implants are ready to use.
Which option suits you depends on your bone, the cone-beam CT (CBCT) findings and what is found during surgery, so it is decided at the examination and during treatment.
What are the first days like?
According to Cleveland Clinic, most people feel back to normal about a week after their implants are placed and return to their daily routine within two to three days; strenuous exercise should be avoided for at least 48 hours.
For removable dentures fitted on the day the teeth are extracted, Leeds Teaching Hospitals advises:
- Do not take the denture out for the first 24 hours, as the extraction sites may swell.
- Sore spots where the denture presses are common at first; your dentist adjusts the denture at check-ups.
- Speech may be affected at first, and you may lisp for a few days.
- Eating can feel difficult at first; start with small pieces of food that are not sticky, and chew on both sides at the same time.
Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust’s information after implant surgery advises not brushing the implant site for the first week, rinsing with a chlorhexidine mouthwash twice a day for one minute during this time, and having the stitches removed after 7 to 14 days. These instructions vary between institutions and procedures; the instructions your own dentist gives you take priority.
If you are flying home after surgery, ask your dentist when it is suitable to fly before you book your return flight. If bone grafting or a procedure near the sinus was carried out, you may be advised to wait longer. Leave at least one spare day before your flight, so that the surgical area can be checked and your temporary teeth adjusted if needed. More practical points on timing are on our page about planning your visit.
What can I eat with temporary teeth?
During healing, the aim is to avoid straining implants that are still bonding with the bone. The diet and hygiene approach described by Menini and colleagues for full-arch immediate loading prostheses is designed to keep excessive biting forces off the implants during this period. Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust also says that your dentist may recommend a soft diet after an implant.
In practice, this means choosing soft foods that need little chewing, and not biting into hard foods such as ice, nuts or hard sweets. Your dentist decides how long you should stay on a soft diet. The same rule applies on the journey home, so it is worth thinking about what you will eat while travelling. According to Cleveland Clinic, once the implants have healed and the final prosthesis is in place, most people can eat the foods they enjoy again.
How do I clean temporary teeth?
Fixed temporary bridge: Once the special instructions for the first days no longer apply, follow the approach Cleveland Clinic recommends for prostheses fixed to implants: brush the bridge like natural teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a non-abrasive toothpaste, and clean underneath it with tools such as a floss threader and interdental brushes. Ask your dentist to show you how to use each tool before you leave.
Removable temporary denture: According to the NHS, brush the denture morning and evening with mild soap or washing-up liquid and rinse it with cold water after meals; do not use toothpaste, as it can damage the denture. Clean it over a sink filled with water or over a towel, so that it does not break if you drop it. The NHS recommends taking the denture out at night unless your dentist advises otherwise. Leeds Teaching Hospitals advises against soaking the denture in hot water, as this can distort its shape and colour.
What problems can occur during the temporary phase?
Leeds Teaching Hospitals says that dentures fitted straight after extractions should be regarded as temporary: they can become loose as the gums change shape, a lining material may need to be added to improve the fit, and they are often replaced later. The same leaflet advises not waiting more than six months after this denture is fitted before seeing a dentist.
Contact a dentist without waiting for your next check-up if you notice:
- a crack, a break or movement in the temporary teeth
- a removable denture that slips or no longer fits as it did, or a sore spot that does not heal (NHS, Leeds)
- heavy bleeding, pain that does not settle with painkillers, pus around the implants or a temperature of 38.2 °C or higher (Cleveland Clinic)
If you are already back home, send the clinic a message on WhatsApp with clear photos and a short description of what you notice; a local dentist can check the fit and make minor adjustments. If you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, or very heavy bleeding, call your local emergency number straight away. Our page on aftercare and follow-up explains how follow-up works once you are home.
What happens when the final bridge is made?
In the process Cleveland Clinic describes, once the implants have healed, impressions of the upper and lower jaw are taken, the final prosthesis is made in a laboratory and attached to the implants, and the dentist shows you how to clean it. Notes you make during the temporary phase about appearance, speech and chewing make it easier to discuss the final bridge with your dentist. For international patients this usually happens on the second trip, so bring your notes with you.
How is the temporary phase planned at Rönesans?
We provide fixed full-arch bridges on four or six implants. During the implant healing period, temporary teeth are fitted depending on the case; which temporary solution suits you is assessed at the examination and during treatment planning. The jawbone is examined in three dimensions with cone-beam CT (CBCT) at our clinic. Bone grafting, sinus lifts and other oral surgery are carried out at our clinic, and treatment can also be done under general anaesthesia when needed.
Impressions for the final bridge can be taken with an intraoral scanner where suitable, and prostheses are made with CAD/CAM at the dental laboratory we work with. You know from the start which dentist will treat you, and follow-up after treatment follows a defined process. Before treatment starts, you receive a written treatment and cost plan with unit and total costs; the cost is confirmed after the examination. The make and model of your implants are written in your treatment plan, and the batch number on the implant card you receive.
For international patients, full-arch treatment usually involves two trips several months apart, and we plan the appointments around your travel dates. Before you travel, you can send photos and X-rays on WhatsApp for a preliminary assessment, or write to us through our contact page. We communicate in English and German, and during opening hours we answer messages in both languages within 15 minutes.