Dentures are a popular and effective way to enjoy a complete smile after tooth loss. While a pair that fits properly should be so incredibly comfortable that you might forget that you’re wearing it at all, ill-fitting dentures can cause a variety of unpleasant complications. Here’s a brief list of some of the unfortunate side effects of dentures that don’t fit right as well as a few of the ways that your dentist can get them back in shape.
What Kind of Oral Health Problems Can Poorly Fitting Dentures Cause?
Each pair of dentures is customized to fit the unique dimensions of the patient’s mouth. However, the mouth will change and develop over time, which can cause the dentures to eventually no longer fit properly. Once this happens, the dentures will begin to slip and slide about within the mouth, which can lead to a range of issues like:
- Chafing: The frequent movement of the dentures can abrase and irritate the gums and other soft tissues, leading to uncomfortable inflammation, blisters, or sores.
- Dental damage: If you still have any of your natural teeth, a pair of dentures frequently bumping into them when sliding around can chip away at their enamel, making them more vulnerable to infections.
- Misalignment: If your dentures aren’t sitting on the gums securely, they can alter the way the mouth bites, which can lead to issues like neck pain, headaches, or TMJ disorders.
- Infection: The sores, blisters, and other blemishes caused by an ill-fitting pair of dentures can become infected, which can lead to a nasty case of gum disease.
How Can My Dentist Help?
While many people find that using denture adhesive can help keep their appliances comfortably in place, this is only a temporary solution. Eventually, your dentures will need to be adjusted by a dental professional, and this is usually done with a denture reline. During a reline, material will be placed along the interior of the denture to compensate for the changing shape of the mouth, allowing it to fit properly again. These relines come in hard varieties, which use a durable and hard material, and soft varieties, which use a softer material that will need to be replaced sooner.
Dentures are intended to be a long-term investment that restores your smile comfortably and beautifully. With excellent care and regular supervision from your dentist, your dentures can last up to ten years.
About the Author
Dr. David Thomas earned his dental doctorate at the University of Pittsburgh before completing an AEGD Residency at the Maricopa Institute of Health Services Hospital in Phoenix, AZ. He is a proud member of the American Dental Association, the Washington State Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentistry. His office in Burien, WA offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as denture services. If your dentures are fitting poorly, contact his office online or dial (206) 244-4622.
