Dentures are an excellent solution to restoring the appearance and function of your smile. But if they don’t fit right, they’re not going to be very helpful. After all, you can’t chew, speak clearly, or smile confidently if they’re not in your mouth. If you are experiencing sudden difficulty getting a good connection between your lower denture and your jaw, here are a few reasons this could be happening, and what you can do to fix it.
Reasons Your Dentures May Stop Fitting
While it is often quite easy to get a proper hold with your upper dentures, lower dentures have unique circumstances that make it a bit harder to get a proper hold. This is because they don’t have a 360-degree hold at the borders like the top prosthetics do. They also need to make space for both your tongue and the up and down movement of your mouth and be resistant to dislodging by your cheek-side gums.
Here are a few common reasons your lower denture may stop fitting properly:
- Poor seal due to an inadequate border length.
- Resorption of the jawbone.
- A warped base.
- A decreased amount or quality of saliva.
- Inability to use them properly.
Correcting Denture Fit Problems
To determine what exactly is causing your dentures to fit improperly, you should first schedule an appointment with your dentist for an evaluation. Be sure to bring your prosthetics with you. There are several different ways your dentist may be able to improve the fit, such as:
- A hard reline.
- Remaking the entire denture.
- Replacing the denture with a completely different type of restoration such as a dental implant.
At your appointment, your dentist will examine your dentures and your mouth and diagnose the reason for the bad hold. Once this is discovered, he can then recommend a proper treatment and explain your options. These may include repair or replacement, or even upgrading to a more permanent prosthetic such as dental implants.
Remember, it’s essential for your dentures to fit securely to both arches to work properly. If they can’t get a good hold, this could cause undue pain, sores, and embarrassment. Don’t struggle with a bad fit. Speak to your dentist today and get smiling with confidence again!
About Our Practice
At Weiss Dental Arts, we want to improve your smile, whether you were born with it, or you’ve restored it with the help of prosthetics. We also understand that if your dentures don’t work properly, you’re not going to use them, nor will you enjoy all the benefits that go along with wearing them.
Don’t let a bad hold or uncomfortable denture prevent you from making the most of everyday activities like eating, speaking, and smiling. If you notice yours aren’t fitting properly or causing pain, please reach out to us today and schedule a denture checkup. We can be reached on our website or by calling 847-864-0188.