Lower Dentures on the Loose: How to Stabilize a Lower Denture that Keeps Coming Loose
Posted on: 29 December 2016
Attempting to talk or eat whilst juggling a lower denture that has a mind of its own can drive a person crazy, not to mention leave them red with embarrassment. Even denture adhesive, which should hold a denture in place for up to 12 hours, often cannot stand up to the heat of hot drinks or soup and this makes dinner time even more of a challenge than it already was. Lower dentures are notoriously difficult to keep in place, and although your dentist should make adjustments over time to make the fit more comfortable, the condition tends to worsen due to bone and tissue loss in your gums.
Fortunately, there are ways of treating this problem so that you can wear your denture without worrying about it moving around in your mouth.
A Temporary Reline
While this is only a temporary measure, it can provide stability for your lower denture for about 6-8 weeks and so is a good option for someone who might be considering other avenues of treatment in the long run. For a temporary reline your dentist will take an impression of your denture, before filling in the excess space caused by tissue loss, with a moldable resin that will harden once it sets.
However, there are also more permanent solutions.
A Permanent Reline
Just as with a temporary reline, your dentist will take an impression of your denture but this time your denture will also need to be sent to a lab where a soft acrylic material will be used to fill in the excess space. If you opt for this choice, you will need to go without your denture for around a day. However, once you get your denture back it should fit comfortably and last from 1-2 years.
You can choose to use to continue to reline your denture every 1-2 years, but bear in mind your denture will eventually become quite bulky due to the added material, and you may need a replacement once it becomes too uncomfortable.
An Implant Retained Overdenture
The most permanent solution for a loose lower denture is an implant retained overdenture. If there is enough remaining bone and gum tissue, your dentist or a prosthodontist will place 2-4 implants in your jaw bone upon which to attach the denture. If there isn't enough remaining bone to place standard implants, then your dentist will recommend mini-implants instead. While mini-implants are smaller, they can be just as effective as standard implants and last just as long if expertly placed. The biggest difference between the two is that while traditional implants take several months and at least two dental visits to complete, mini-implants can be done in one visit.
You don't have to suffer any longer. Contact a dentist today to talk about the options available to you.
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