Dentures are customised synthetic replacements for natural teeth that have degraded due to damage or decay. Your dental practitioner will take a mould of your teeth before assessing the most suitable denture model according to your facial profile.
A well-fitted set of dentures will improve your smile, chewing, and speaking ability, ultimately improving your quality of life. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that your dentures fit in your mouth in a way that mimics your natural or ideal teeth formation.
Partial Dentures
Removable partial dentures are for individuals with a few missing teeth who do not qualify for bridges due to the lack of support teeth. A partial set of dentures have a similar appearance to full dentures, and dentists usually recommend them in situations where there are three or more missing teeth beside each other.
Full Dentures
Removable full dentures replace all of your missing teeth and are fitted according to your facial profile, often with artificial pigmentation for a highly natural look.
Upper dentures often use suction to keep them in position. In contrast, lower dentures don’t rely on suction but rely on the natural jawbone muscles to hold them in place. They fit according to your jawbone’s current width and breadth, which changes after every tooth extraction.
How to Make Your Dentures Fit Better
Firstly, you will need to assess the type of denture. There is no one-size-fits-all method of choosing your dentures, as dental requirements differ vastly among individuals.
Give it Time
It takes about 30 days for the body to adjust to a new set of dentures. You can take some additional measures to smoothen the process, such as chewing slowly and starting with a soft diet if necessary.
Adding Stability to Dentures
Dental adhesives can provide temporary relief in cases of wobbly dentures or slippage causing pain and discomfort. However, you should always reach out to a dental professional for a long-term solution, such as positioning implant support over your dentures.
Schedule Regular Dental Checkups
An orthodontist will have the specialised tools and knowledge to determine that your dentures retain a good fit. Additionally, your orthodontist will recommend that you let your gums and jaw recover for two to three months after tooth extractions before taking a new denture measurement.
Signs You Need to Get Your Dentures Adjusted
Your dentures might cause discomfort right after the first trip to the dentist or eventually lose their grip due to various factors such as the development of sore spots or slippage. A trusted orthodontist will diagnose the exact cause of a poor denture fit and prescribe the most suitable solution.
Painful Discomfort
A carefully customised set of dentures should never cause pain or discomfort. Soreness usually results from a disconnection between your dentures and underlying tissue. Your dental practitioner has the tools and expertise to detect the areas of soreness and make the proper adjustments to your dentures for a uniform and comfortable fit.
Denture Slippage
The most common symptoms of denture slippage include increased movement and displacement during mouth movements or a reduced suction on the upper dentures.
Depending on the severity of slippage, your dentist might reline existing dentures with fresh denture material if the overall form remains in good condition or suggest replacing the dentures altogether in cases of drastic changes of bone and gum structure.
Bad Breath
You might experience bad breath in instances of poorly fitted dentures. These may result from bacteria, food residue, or fungus trapped in the gaps of your dentures, eventually leading to decomposition.
When left untreated, you might develop gum diseases, or the dentures may subsequently deteriorate, resulting in a poorer fit. Checking in with a dental expert helps identify the gaps in your denture structure, where you can arrange a follow-up to seal the spaces or realign your dentures.
Gag Reflexes
Gagging is a common side effect of getting a new set of dentures as the body reacts and accustoms to the added structure. However, it becomes an issue when gagging persists or suddenly occurs during denture use. There might be an underlying problem with the denture fit that warrants further inspection in such cases.
It is common for upper dentures to gradually slip backwards after years of use as the shape of your gums and jaw change with time. For example, your upper dentures may have their base plates extending beyond the tip of your hard palate, which triggers gag reflexes. A dental professional can help you ease and fix gagging issues by relining your dentures for a better fit or shortening the baseplate.
Boon Dental: Your Trusted Partner in Dentistry
While you might consider self-applying adhesives for minor denture issues, it is best to consult a professional at the earliest time to prevent further deterioration and complications in oral health.
Boon Dental’s specialists at Wentworth Point and Ropes Crossing will help you discover the most suitable dentures by performing a thorough orthodontic examination and precise mouth measurements. Visit us to regain your smile and restore the form and function of your teeth without delay.