High-quality dentures should fit securely on your gums, free of slipping and sliding. However, sometimes dentures become loose, no longer fitting as they did originally. This can make it difficult to eat and chew and cause you to feel embarrassed to talk and smile. Loose dentures reduce quality of life and can decrease self-confidence. Why do dentures become loose? How do you know if your dentures are loose? What should you do if your dentures no longer fit snugly?
Why do dentures become loose?
Dentures become loose for a variety of reasons.
- Bone resorption causing your gums to shrink and your jaw shape to change as we age
- Everyday wear and tear
- Chewing or biting down on hard food
- Weight loss and use of some medications
Symptoms of loose dentures:
There are a number of signs that your dentures no longer fit the way they did originally.
- Dentures move when you talk, smile and eat
- Dentures click when you talk or chew
- Difficulty eating certain foods
- Pressure sores in your mouth
- Discomfort (jaw soreness, uneven pressure, sharp or intense pain)
- Changes in facial shape (cheeks, jawline)
- Gagging (from denture touching your tongue and/or throat)
How to avoid loose dentures:
Over time, dentures can become loose. To reduce and eliminate this problem:
- Eat a balanced diet
- Practice good denture care every day
- Take your dentures out at night
- Chew solid foods to prevent bone loss
- See your denturist regularly for a reline or rebase of Denture
How are loose dentures repaired?
There are a few ways your Denturist can reline your existing dentures:
- A temporary reline requires adding a layer of material under the denture in your mouth. This involves your Denturist taking an impression that hardens and fills the gap created where the oral tissues have shrunk away from the denture with age. This approach generally stabilizes the denture only for a short period of time.
- A permanent reline requires an indirect technique where an impression material is added to the denture in the mouth in much the same way as described above for a temporary reline. However, the denture is then worked on the on-site dental lab at Denture Clinic to replace the temporary material with more permanent denture plastic. The teeth stay the same but the denture base is reprocessed to fit as the new impression did. The advantage of a permanent reline is that it is longer lasting. A Denture Clinic with an on-site lab at can in most cases do this procedure with same day turnaround, instead of sending out to a Dental Lab where you’ll be without your denture for a day or two.
How often should my dentures be relined?
In the first year after extractions, gums change shape and shrink quite quickly. Most denture wearers will require 1-3 temporary liners during this time, especially in the first 3-6 months. After about 6 months to a year, you’ll need the processed reline, replacing all temporary liners and refitting your denture to your gums. After this reline, the normal schedule for future denture maintenance includes relines every 2 years and a new set of dentures every 5 to 8 years.
Don’t accept loose dentures as a fact of life! If you notice signs of loosening, visit a skilled denturist to discuss ways to improve the fit and function. You can enjoy pain-free eating and smile in comfort while wearing dentures!
South Calgary Denture and Implant Clinic enhances your oral health, aesthetics and way of life. We deliver the best possible treatment after taking the time and care to understand your needs. Our commitment to you is to provide a fast, efficient, and courteous service, with direct billing offered to most insurance providers. We love what we do. It’s who we are! Call us to schedule an appointment.
