Dentures are fantastic restorative devices that can replace a few, many, or all of a person’s missing teeth with gorgeous, functional, and lifelike replicas. However, you may find your appliance doesn’t fit as well as it used to after a few years of wearing it. Here’s a quick guide to what causes this, what you can do about it, and how your dentist can help with adjustments, relines, or dental implants.
Why Do My Dentures Not Fit Well Anymore?
Each set of dentures is completely customized to fit the patient’s mouth, so your appliance should feel incredibly comfortable and lifelike after you get used to wearing it. However, traditional dentures do not address the problem of atrophy caused by tooth loss, so the jawbones will slowly recede even while the appliance is worn. The changing shape of the mouth can eventually make it difficult for the restoration to fit properly, resulting in it sliding about on the gums as well as irritation and dental damage.
In some cases, the appliance becoming worn or damaged can also negatively affect the way it fits.
How Can I Make My Dentures Fit Comfortably?
Luckily, there are a few fine commercial products that may be able to help you wear your appliance comfortably between professional adjustments. Grocery stores and pharmacies usually sell denture adhesives such as creams, powders, and strips designed to help restorations hold their places securely in the mouth. While you can expect to need to experiment with a few products before finding one that works best for you, your dentist may be able to make a recommendation.
How Can My Dentist Help?
Eventually, it will be necessary to have a poorly fitting denture addressed by a qualified dentist. Your oral health professional may be able to adjust your appliance at their office, but it may be necessary to send it to a lab if it needs a reline. Most dentures that receive excellent care can last between five and seven years before needing replacement.
If you are frustrated with the limitations of traditional dentures, it may be best to upgrade to implant-supported restorations. Dental implants will allow your dentures to function exactly like real teeth and can drastically increase their lifespan, which means you may not need to pay for costly replacements as frequently. Consulting with your dentist can help you understand if implants can be an excellent solution for you.
About the Practice
United Dental Centers of Hammond offers the finest oral healthcare in town. Led by Drs. David and Kenneth Fried, Shawn Thomas, and Maurice Russo, the staff ensures that each patient enjoys comfortable and courteous treatment in a warm and welcoming office environment. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as dentures and implants. If your dentures aren’t fitting well, contact the office online or dial (219) 933-4900.