Dentures are a surprisingly complex subject. There are a lot of choices and questions that you have about the subject. To help you, we’ve put together this feature full of information and frequently asked questions. Feel free to print it out if you wish to pass the information on to friends or family.
Many people wrongly believe that their ability to eat foods such as apples, corn on the cob etc will not be affected when their natural teeth are replaced with dentures. Unfortunately fulfilling such high expectations is extremely difficult and in some cases impossible depending on the conditions in each individual mouth.
To avoid disappointment it is necessary to understand some of the more common difficulties encountered during the denture wearing process.
Gum Shrinkage
When natural teeth are lost, all that is left are bony ridges, which used to hold teeth. Dentures have to rest on these ridges. The shrinking of these ridges is known as resorption or atrophy (wasting of the bone). It is an inevitable process that begins with tooth loss and continues throughout life. This is a highly variable process and is the main reason to why people have difficulty wearing dentures.
Lower Ridge Shapes
Changes through bone loss cause the ridges to change shape, size and in how they align together.
Ridges can be square or rounded in shape (when looked at in cross section), with a smooth surface and these are generally suitable for denture wearing. The less favourable mouth tends to have either flat or small V -shaped ridges, offering little or no support to the denture. Other shape extremes like bony gums (which cause soreness), or very fleshy mouths (which allow a denture to move) are also difficult to fit with trouble free lower denture.
Palate Shapes
The shape of the palate also influences the fit and suction needed to wear an upper denture. Again the square or rounded shapes are more suitable than the small flat, or V -shaped. Shape extremes like bony gums (which cause soreness), or very fleshy mouths (which allow a denture to move) are again also difficult to fit with a trouble free upper denture.
Problems with Lower Dentures
Complaints received about dentures are usually received about lower appliances. Lower dentures have to operate in a very mobile environment, where the lips, cheeks and tongue have tendency to try and dislodge the denture (when speaking or eating etc.).
Another factor is that a lower ridge is much smaller than the upper, as it is prone to excessive shrinking (up to 4 times as much as the upper) and there is no large surface on which to create suction, or balance like you have in the upper jaw from the palate. These factors often cause a lower denture to move about or trap food underneath as the ridge shrinks.
A successful denture wearer will in time learn to control their face muscles, which is essential when wearing new dentures. REMEMBER THAT if you push your lower denture around with your tongue, or try to put your tongue underneath the appliance, you will find that the denture will lift easily and will not stay in place. You must not get into the habit of doing this.
How Long Should a Denture Last?
Contrary to many denture wearers’ beliefs, a denture should be reviewed by your Clinical Dental Technician or dentist every year to check for wear, its fit or any adjustments that may be needed.
A denture is worn down by eating and cleaning, but the base will not adjust to the ridges in your gums which are changing constantly. Even if you denture feels fine you must have your mouth checked annually to ensure against any permanent damage and to check for any mouth infections or other conditions.
Dentures should always be replaced or relined if they become loose.
Elderly Patients
Due to metabolic changes the mouth can often become irritable, sore, or easily damaged. The gums frequently react unfavourably to the pressure of dentures and healing is often slower than in our younger patients. Elderly patients also take longer to adapt to a new denture so a little extra patience and perseverance is needed.
Drugs, Medical Conditions and Dentures
Drugs can cause changes in the shape of the mouth causing fitting problems, steroids generally causing the most problems. A dry mouth can often be a result from taking drugs, which does not allow a denture to hold in place due to loss of suction and can cause excessive soreness due to lack of lubrication.
Medical conditions can cause fluctuation in body weight and bone structure, which will have an effect on the shape of the mouth. Your gums change shape as your body weight varies.
Problems with Poorly Fitting Dentures
If your gums shrink and you do not have your dentures relines or remade, your lower jaw may become out of line with the upper leading to the face muscles virtually collapsing which gives the appearance of premature ageing by causing old and wrinkled features.
Badly fitting dentures can also cause:
- A dull pain in or about the ears
- A clicking or snapping noise when chewing
- Headaches
- Cracked or continually sore corners of the mouth
You are the only person responsible for making sure that you do not suffer with any denture-related problems. Remember we are always available for help or advice.
Do I Need To Use A Denture Fixative?
Many denture wearers believe that fixatives are only for loose fitting dentures. This is not always the case. Remember that your dentures have been made to fit comfortably in your mouth but denture fixatives can give you extra security and confidence by providing a more comfortable fit. Its stops you worrying about any loosening or slipping and helping to stop irritating bits of food from getting under the denture plate.
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