The dentures of today are not your grandmother’s dentures, that’s a fact. Many people wear dentures as the solution to missing or decayed teeth. Sometime, however, dentures can be problematic. This may be due, in part, to the unique structure of each person’s mouth. Are you contemplating dentures? If so, or if you already wear them, here are a few things about them you may not know:
- The shape of your palate or “roof” of your mouth, influences the fit and suction needed for your upper denture to fit properly. A square or rounded palate shape is more suitable than a small, flat, or V-shaped palate.
- When you lose your natural teeth, bony ridges remain. Your dentures will rest on these ridges. It’s normal and inevitable for the ridges to atrophy or shrink. This process varies with each person and it’s one of the reasons some people find wearing dentures difficult.
- Most complaints from denture wearers have to do with their lower dentures. This is because lower dentures are in a “mobile” environment, where the tongue, cheeks and lips try to dislodge the denture during eating and talking. The lower bony ridge is much smaller than the upper, and is prone to more shrinkage. There is no large surface on which to create suction. These factors often cause a lower denture to trap food.
- Fixatives aren’t just for loose fitting dentures. They can give you confidence by providing a more comfortable fit and preventing slipping. Fixatives also help prevent bits of food from getting under your dentures.
- Your dentures should be examined every year to check for fit, ensure against permanent damage, check for unwanted conditions in your mouth, and to make adjustments. Dentures become worn down by eating and cleaning, and the denture base will not adjust to your constantly changing bony ridges. Dentures can be easily replaced or relined if they become loose.
Do you have questions about dentures? We invite you to call to schedule a consultation appointment to discuss your questions and concerns with us.