My dentures used to fit fine, but now they feel loose. Can they get stretched out, or is something else going wrong? They’ve been slipping a lot. I’m almost afraid to go out in case they come out in public. I don’t think I can handle the humiliation.
Jack
Dear Jack,
First, let me assure you that it isn’t anything you’ve done. Your natural teeth did more than help you chew. Their roots also stimulated your jawbone, helping maintain its density and shape. When your teeth were removed, that stimulation disappeared, which signaled to your jawbone that you no longer had teeth and as a result didn’t need to maintain that jawbone structure to secure the teeth roots. Because of that, your body gradually began to break down and absorb some of the surrounding bone. Dentists call this process bone resorption.
Unfortunately, bone resorption doesn’t stop when you get dentures. It can continue for years, gradually changing the shape of the ridges that support them. Eventually, you no longer have enough jawbone left to support your dentures. This is known as facial collapse.
Poorly fitting dentures aren’t simply an inconvenience. Continued rubbing can irritate your oral tissues, create painful sores, and interfere with your ability to eat a balanced diet. Plus, when you get to the point where they won’t stay in, it will make it almost impossible for you to eat anything other than a soft diet.
Can Facial Collapse Be Fixed?
While you can fix facial collapse by having bone grafting done, you will have the same cycle of bone resorption start over. You can prevent that by having dental implants placed and then anchoring your dentures to them. Not only do the implants signal to your body that you have teeth that need to be secured, which prevents facial collapse, but your dentures will be completely secure.
You’ll have no more slipping or sliding ever. You’ll also be able to eat anything you want again.
This blog is brought to you by the friendly dentists of Decatur, AL, Drs. Drake and Wallace.