Poorly fitting dentures can impact your life in many ways – physically, socially and mentally. Finding the right denture fit is important for maintaining good oral health, your smile and eating the foods you like. But when your dentures don’t fit, it can create long term health issues. If you have a loose denture, you do not have to just live with it. Your dentist has several treatment options available for improving the fit of your denture.
DENTURE ADJUSTMENTS
In some cases, a denture can be overextended under the tongue or out into the cheeks. This excess bulk can make muscle control almost impossible. By adjusting an area of excess, you may be able to adapt better to holding the denture in place.
If you have an area of the denture that is rubbing a sore spot, an adjustment of that area can relieve the pressure on the sore spot. This allows it to heal more quickly.
DENTURE RELINES
A reline is a dental procedure that fills in any air gaps between the denture base and the gums. It recreates the intimate fit between the denture and the gums and improves your chance of obtaining a suction effect. A denture reline compensates for shrinking bone and gums under the denture.
NEW DENTURES
Some dentures just need replacement. No amount of adjustment or relining will give the fit you desire. In this type of situation, you should consider a new set of dentures. By starting from scratch, your dentist is able to make a set of dentures that fits your gums and bone in their current state.
IMPLANT-SUPPORTED DENTURES
When you are unable to get the suction or muscle control you want, or you simply want the most secure fit for your dentures, implant-supported dentures are the best option. Implants provide an anchor in the underlying jawbone to which the denture can attach. Because this gives the denture a firm connection with the bone, a perfect fit of the denture is no longer necessary. Even with an air gap between the denture and the gums, the denture does not become loose or dislodge during normal functions.
Denture adhesives are pastes, powders or adhesive pads that may be placed in/on dentures to help them stay in place. Sometimes denture adhesives contain zinc to enhance adhesion. In most cases, properly fitted and maintained dentures should not require the use of denture adhesives. If you are one of the patients that need adhesive, there are many on the market. They are different and you need to try them to see if they work. The adhesive needs to be compatible with the PH balance of your saliva. If you doctor changes your medications the PH balance of your saliva changes and the adhesive you were using may not work anymore. You start the hunt again to find one that works for you.
Dry mouth, or xerostomia (zeer-o-STOE-me-uh), refers to a condition in which the salivary glands in your mouth don't make enough saliva to keep your mouth wet. Dry mouth is the feeling that there is not enough saliva in your mouth. Everyone has a dry mouth occasionally - if they are nervous, upset or under stress. But if you have a dry mouth all or most of the time, it can be uncomfortable and can lead to serious health problems.
Dry mouth is often due to the side effect of certain medications or aging issues or because of radiation therapy for cancer. It makes wearing dentures more difficult. Dry mouth isn't a serious medical condition on its own. However, it's sometimes a symptom of another underlying medical problem that requires treatment. It can also lead to complications like tooth decay.