Dentures are a great idea for any patient suffering from extreme tooth decay or tooth loss. It’s important to replace teeth once they are lost because the bone and nerves under the tooth become susceptible to harmful bacteria. Although dentures may give you a nice clean set of teeth, it’s common for dentures to become loose in a patient’s mouth, especially within the first six months to a year after installation. 

Why Your Dentures May Not Fit Anymore

When teeth are extracted, the gum surrounding the teeth closes up for about 10 days. Then, it begins to shrink and heal for the next 6-12 months. Because of this, it’s very common for patients to report back saying their dentures no longer fit. It is not the denture that has changed, but rather the shape of the mouth and jaw.

Sometimes, the jaw bone shrinks overtime and causes a gap between the denture and the gums. This causes the “sliding” denture effect.

How to Make Your Dentures Fit Better

As previously mentioned, it’s very common that patients experience a shift in the fit of their denture within the first year. There are a few different steps patients and dentists can take to make their dentures fit better:

Realignment: If you feel that your dentures are starting to become loose, request a realignment. During a realignment, Dr. Ema can add more material to the denture to close the gap between the denture and gums and provide a more comfortable fit.

New Denture: If the gap becomes too severe, Dr. Ema may suggest a brand new denture. This is necessary when a denture is too old or very worn down.

All-On-Four: An All-On-Four is an implant supported denture that can replace the upper and lower arches of the mouth. The All-On-Four contains a row of teeth that are screwed into the implant. This procedure is generally suggested when the jaw has shrunk so much that a new denture would not solve the problem.

It is always a good idea to ask your dentist to give your dentures and gum a thorough examination. If you or a loved one feel that you may need new dentures, a denture realignment or an All-On-Four implant, call Dr. Ema at Chicago Veneers today: (312) 435 0411.