Posted January 15, 2020
Are you finding yourself struggling to eat and control your dentures, I’m sure its when you least expect it, your smile comes undone.
Denture relines are an important and definitely a regular requirement for denture maintenance. All too often it creeps into our thinking that once dentures are fitted and feel comfortable there is no further dental expense in the future. I would like you to think again. The questions above are are asked by our patients all to often and it is clearly a sign that dentures often require attention and maintenance and need to be refitted.
When dentures are first placed and teeth are removed, rapid soft tissue and hard bone begin to resorb (shrink) and reform. This process happens immediately after teeth have been removed and often a reline (refit/adjustment) is required with 9 months. Sometimes the amount of bone resorption is up to 4mm.
Again, as time goes on these tissue and bone changes are ongoing. For some this can be reasonably constant and others, not so much. Research will also tell us the lower jawbone is always more susceptible to these changes. Another reason for refitting dentures can often be a result of weight loss. Patients find that when they have lost weight there denture(s) can often become ill-fitting and may require relining.
Partial dentures are not exempt. You may have a partial denture and find it becomes loose over time. It may only require a quick adjustment to the clasping arms or maybe a refit is required. All dentures will lose touch with there fitting surface at time passes.
It is important and we suggest to you and to all our patients that regular visits, every 2-3yrs to have your dentures checked for a degeneration of fit. Ill-fitting dentures not only tend to determine your confidence level and reduce your ability to eat, they also cause damage to underlying tissue and create ulcerations. Its an easy step to have dentures refitted or remade.
If you find yourself asking these questions then phone now to have a consultation with one of our clinicians regarding these issues.