Loose Denture Remedies

Stabilizing loose dentures is sometimes as easy as using a bit of adhesive. But eventually, many denture wearers need to find another solution to address an uncomfortable, ill-fitting upper or lower denture.

Dentures are designed for a custom fit, but over time, they become loose due to bone loss in the jaw.

Dentures don’t have roots, which means the jawbone doesn’t have the stimulation it needs to stay healthy and strong. Consequently, as the years go by, the underlying bone shrinks, and so does the support for your dentures.

Ill-fitting dentures are frustrating. They make it difficult to eat or talk without fear of the false teeth shifting around or even coming out. A denture reline or replacement will help, but even that approach is only temporary.

Dental implants are the ultimate in stabilization for loose dentures.

Relining Loose Dentures

Relining can be a solution for denture wearers whose false teeth aren’t excessively worn down.

Essentially, a denture reline is an adjustment to the moldable surface that lies against the gums. In some cases, this can be enough to make ill-fitting dentures comfortable again. However, as bone loss will continue to occur, the dentures will loosen again soon.

Replacing Loose Dentures

For false teeth that have excessive wear and tear, or for extremely loose dentures, replacement may be necessary.

Worn-down teeth that don’t fit properly can affect bite and chewing function as well as aesthetics, so they typically need to be replaced. And regardless of the amount of tooth wear and tear, if a reline can’t adequately stabilize loose dentures, you will need to have your dentures remade.

Replacing dentures, like relining, does nothing to halt bone loss in the jaw. So the false teeth will become loose again.

Dental Implants to Stabilize Loose Dentures

Dental implants are the only permanent solution for loose dentures.

With dental implants, the denture is surgically anchored directly into the jawbone using four titanium posts. These posts function as replacement tooth roots, stimulating bone growth and preventing further shrinkage in the jaw. As a result, dentures stabilized with dental implants do not become loose or uncomfortable.

Implant-stabilized dentures also come with other advantages. With dental implants securely holding their teeth in place, denture wearers can eat all their favorite foods. This means that steak, popcorn, raw veggies and sticky sweets are no longer off-limits.

Plus, stabilizing dentures with dental implants gives the false teeth a natural fit and look. So unless you tell people, no one will ever realize that your teeth aren’t real.

If you aren’t satisfied with the fit of your current upper or lower denture, consult with a tooth restoration specialist to learn more about the benefits of implant-stabilized dentures. In the greater Salt Lake City area, the professionals at Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of Utah are known for expert advice, exceptional care and affordable tooth restoration services.

Contact one of our three northern Utah offices today — conveniently located in Cottonwood Heights, South Jordan and Tooele — and schedule an appointment to discuss dental implants as an option to stabilize your loose dentures.