Dentures are a tried-and-true solution for individuals with missing teeth, capable of restoring both oral function and aesthetics. However, many denture wearers, especially those with lower dentures, face a common challenge: the discomfort of shifting or slipping dentures! Continue reading below to learn more about some of the issues that can cause lower dentures to shift out of place, along with some possible solutions to help ensure that your restoration can serve you well for the foreseeable future.
What Causes Lower Dentures to Shift Out of Place?
In a perfect world, dentures would remain exactly where they need to be—but unfortunately, certain things force them out of place inside the mouth. While this can sometimes affect upper dentures, lower dentures have a reputation for being notoriously loose. Needless to say, this can be quite frustrating since it can affect speech, the ability to eat, and even cause pain. The cause often boils down to one of these reasons:
- Changes to the jaw’s anatomy – This can occur following tooth loss and can affect your ability to support a lower denture. If you’ve been without natural teeth for quite some time or you have a flat bone, it may be difficult for the denture to remain stable.
- Damage to the denture – If the base of the denture or the prosthetic teeth portion sustains damage or becomes warped, the denture can shift out of place.
- Decreased saliva production – Saliva plays an important role in how your dentures rest inside your mouth, so if your production is lowered or compromised, it can cause the denture to not fit as intended.
- Inexperience wearing the denture – Wearing a lower denture requires control from the muscles that patients likely haven’t considered before, and as with all transitions, you shouldn’t expect to become an expert overnight. As you adapt to chewing and controlling your tongue and cheeks while wearing the dentures, they might experience movement.
How Can My Dentist Help?
Your best bet for addressing ill-fitting lower dentures is to see your dentist for an assessment; they’ll be able to quickly get to the bottom of the issue and prescribe a solution. Sometimes what’s known as a denture reline might be necessary, which involves readapting the base of your current denture to rest properly against your gums. Other times, a new denture can be made for your mouth, or an alternative tooth replacement like dental implants might be recommended.
Denture adhesives might also be used to temporarily secure a bottom denture; generally, three small dots will suffice. Just know that your dentist will almost always have an effective, long-term solution to a loose lower denture!
About the Author
Dr. Joanne Bancroft received her DDS from the State University of Buffalo School of Dental Medicine and has proudly served patients and families in the Westminster, CO community for several years. Her practice is thrilled to offer a wide range of restorative treatment options, including both partial and complete dentures. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to set up an appointment, feel free to contact Dr. Bancroft’s team online or over the phone for additional information or assistance. Telephone: (720) 458-6561.