Dentures are custom made for your unique mouth; you should be able to rely on them to stay secure and comfortable all day. But what if your lower denture keeps slipping out of place? That can be very frustrating and embarrassing! In this blog post, you will learn why that can happen. You will also discover tips to help you deal with the situation.
Why Do Lower Dentures Slip Out of Place?
There are several reasons why your lower denture might tend to slip out of place, most of which are related to how it fits:
- Changes in Your Mouth: After the removal of natural teeth, a process known as resorption begins in the jawbone. Essentially, this means that the bone starts to shrink, and that can negatively affect the way your prosthetic fits.
- Denture Damage: Mishaps can cause a denture to lose its fit. For example, it might become warped if you accidentally expose it to extremely high temperatures. It may also suffer damage if you accidentally drop it.
- Poor Quality Dentures: Designing and creating dentures is an art. Sadly, some “bargain” prosthetics are not well-made, which means that they may not fit your mouth in exactly the right way.
Of course, even if your denture is well-made and fits you well, you will still need to take some time to get used to it. If you have never worn such a prosthetic before, a bit of slipping is normal as you adjust to your new teeth.
How to Prevent and Fix Loose Lower Dentures
If your lower denture keeps stubbornly slipping out of place, these steps might help:
- Talk to Your Dentist About a Reline: Periodically, dentures need to be relined. This process involves adding hard or soft material to its base so it has a more secure fit.
- Consider Replacing Your Dentures: If your denture is more than 5 – 7 years old, a reline may not be able to properly adjust it. You might need to get an entirely new prosthetic.
- Inspect for Damage: Take a close look at your denture to identify warping, cracks, and other signs of damage. Your dentist might be able to complete minor repairs in-office, or they may send your denture to a laboratory for more extensive repairs.
- Consider Using Adhesive: Adhesives are available in cream, powder, and strip form to help dentures bond to the gums. While these products will not make up for a poor fit, they can provide some temporary strength and stability.
- Upgrade to Implant Dentures: Implant dentures are reliably strong and stable because they are anchored in the mouth via prosthetic tooth roots, which are surgically placed into the jawbone. Implant dentures may even prevent resorption and help your bone stay shapely and whole.
A slipping lower denture is annoying! Talk to your dentist to find a solution to this bothersome problem.
Meet the Practice
At Meriden Dental Group, our friendly and compassionate team is proud to offer a broad range of services, including traditional dentures, implant dentures, and denture maintenance. If you are struggling with a prosthetic that will not stay in place, we can help you identify the cause of the problem and offer potential solutions. To learn more about us or to request an appointment, contact our office at 203-404-6800.