133 Northcreek Boulevard, Goodlettsville TN 37072 info@rivergatedentalcare.com 615.859.7117

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Loose Dentures

When a new set of removable dentures are fitted, they will, as expected, be a good fit. However over a period of time, it is found that they tend to loosen up and you may not be able to carryout your routine functions like eating without regular reapplication of denture adhesive.  Denture sores, like brace sores, are also not uncommon They develop because of ill-fitting appliances or because the gums are starting to recede making dentures loose. When loose dentures rub, they can cause inflammation and sore patches on the gum or tongue. This is because the jawbone shrinks and weakens when dentures are repeatedly applied on the gums, compressing the tissue and causing a breakdown of bone. Research shows that up to 40 percent of jawbone height and width can be lost during just the first year of wearing dentures. An additional 10 percent (or 1 millimeter) of bone may be lost each year thereafter. Eventually the patient may reach a point when the supporting bone is all but gone!!!

What Causes Loose Dentures

At Rivergate Dental Care in Goodlettsville, we specialize in dentures.

 

Dentures that have a poor fit, either at the onset of treatment or after years of usage, become loose for specific reasons.

  • Immediate Ill Fit: Dentures which are not properly fabricated either to cut the cost or by inexperienced hands. Another reason could be that the dentures have been made with contours and size concurring to a normal gum and bone structure whereas teeth extraction or infection has caused inflammation in the gum or has caused bone lose and the need for future adjustments have not been anticipated. The only solution for this is to ensure quality and to ensure that the dentures are prepared with sufficient bulk so that it can meet the future adjustments with additional relining or rebasing as required.
  • Loosening Dentures with Time: As the inflammation subsides and the gums heal, the dentures tend to loosen up a bit. This has to be rectified by scheduling visits to your dentist for minor adjustments. It is imperative for the longevity of the denture as well as your general oral health. It is also advisable that regular, biannual at the least, dental appointments are scheduled so that we can evaluate the overall dental health and make adjustments if required or even advise you in going for a fresh set of dentures if the alterations required are extreme.
  • Wash-Boarding Effect: Dentures with Cusped back teeth similar to natural teeth, give the wash-boarding effect. However unlike natural teeth which are anchored to the jaw bones, the dentures are virtually free of any hold. This causes small multiple trauma impacts to the lower jaw, thus increasing its’ degeneration. 
  • Lose of weight can effect the fit of a denture. A reline may be necessary to have the fit adequate.
  • If you have Sinus Trouble, the upper denture may seem too tight when sinus flair-ups occur. 

What Can Be Done

Some of the several preventive and remedial actions which could be considered.

  • Regular and proper relines and rebasing can create an improved fit
  • Use of dentures that are designed and fitted with suction cups on the bottom
  • Dentures with valves to suck out the air that gets under them
  • Probably the most advantageous of the suggestions are dental implants. In case you have been diagnosed to have insufficient bone then the option of bone grafting prior to the implant procedure can also be tried. Another alternative could be to go for mini-implants (1.8 mm diameter) which have also been found to be successful.

At Rivergate Dental Care, we’ve treated patients from all over the Nashville area – including Goodlettsville, White House, Madison, Hendersonville, Gallatin and beyond! Give us a call today and soon you will be waking up to a new smile! 1 800 FIX MY TEETH