I received my first set of full dentures about two months ago. They seemed reasonably comfortable at first, but now they move when I chew and create painful areas on my gums. My dentist adjusted them once and told me that I need more time to get used to them. Is this normal, or do my dentures need to be remade?
James
Dear James
Some soreness and difficulty eating are common while adjusting to new dentures. However, persistent pain should not be dismissed as something you simply have to tolerate. Nor should they be moving that much in just two months. Your dentist should examine both the dentures and the tissues beneath them to determine why they are moving or creating sore spots.
The dentures may need an adjustment, a reline or, in some cases, replacement. I will warn you that even the best fitting dentures will reduce your chewing capacity by 50%. There are other more serious issues that will develop with long term use.
Your Mouth Changes After Tooth Loss
The roots of your natural teeth help stimulate the surrounding jawbone. Once the teeth are gone, the body begins resorbing some of that minerals in your jawbone because it is no longer supporting tooth roots.
A denture that fit properly when it was delivered will gradually loosen as the gums heal and the shape of the underlying ridge changes. Bone loss continues more throughout a denture wearer’s life. This is why a denture that has been comfortable for years can eventually begin slipping. After ten to twenty years, there is no longer enough jaw bone left to keep your dentures in. This is known as facial collapse. There is a way to prevent this which I’ll explain in a moment. Let’s figure out your current issue first.
Why Poorly Fitting Dentures Cause Pain
A well-fitting denture distributes chewing forces across the supporting tissues. When the fit changes, pressure may become concentrated in small areas. Or you may have a bony ridge. This can create tender spots, ulcers and inflammation.
Loose dentures can also rub against the gums as they shift. Patients sometimes compensate by biting differently or using excessive adhesive, but neither approach corrects the underlying fit problem.
Continued irritation should be evaluated because pain can have causes other than an ill-fitting denture. Your dentist needs to rule out infection, sharp areas of bone, dry mouth, oral lesions and other conditions.
Does the Denture Need an Adjustment or Reline?
The correct solution depends on what is causing the problem.
A minor adjustment may be sufficient if one area of the denture is pressing too firmly against the gums. The dentist can identify the pressure point and carefully reshape that portion of the denture.
A reline may be needed when the overall shape of the gums has changed. During a reline, soft material is added to the inner surface of the denture so that it conforms more closely to the current shape of the mouth.
A denture may need to be remade if it is severely worn, damaged, poorly designed or no longer provides a good fit. Significant changes in the jaw may also make it impossible to correct an old denture adequately with a reline.
A Solution to Facial Collapse
I hope your dentist warned you about the possibility of facial collapse. There is a way to prevent that from the beginning. Instead of removable dentures, you could get implant supported dentures. These place between four to eight dental implants which are surgically placed in your jaw and then your dentures are anchored to them.
The implants serve as prosthetic teeth which signals to your body that you still have teeth. This means your jawbone will not shrink.
This blog is brought to you by a gentle dentist in Lexington, Dr. James Williams.