Dentures offer a revitalizing boost to the smiles and biting, chewing, and speaking functions of countless individuals who've suffered from tooth loss. However, like any oral prosthetic, dentures often require adjustments over time. Let's delve into dentures and understand why these adjustments are necessary.
What Are Dentures?
Dentures are removable oral appliances designed to slide over the gums at the site(s) of tooth loss to replace missing teeth and restore oral function. Dentures can be made from various materials, including acrylic, metal, and porcelain, and come in two main types:
- Complete dentures, which replace all teeth in one or both arches
- Partial dentures, which offer support following partial tooth loss when some natural teeth remain
Why Dentures Require Adjustments
Several factors can cause them to lose their fit and functionality:
- Oral Changes – Every person's jawbone changes over time. These changes can result in an altered shape, which can affect the fit of dentures.
- Wear and Tear – Regular use can lead to denture wear, affecting their performance and fit.
- Gum Changes – Changes to a person's gums, which can occur due to age, medical conditions, or lifestyle changes, can affect how dentures sit in the mouth.
- Oral Health – The overall health of a person's mouth and remaining natural teeth affects denture fit and comfort.
The Process of Denture Adjustment
Denture adjustments are typically performed by a dentist or prosthodontist and involve the following steps:
- Assessment – The dentist evaluates the fit and condition of the dentures and identifies potential problem areas that require adjustment.
- Reshaping – Adjustments often involve reshaping or relining dentures based on the specific changes in the mouth's structure.
- Refitting – In some cases, new impressions of the mouth are taken to ensure a precise fit.
- Testing – The patient wears the adjusted dentures to ensure comfort and function.
Even after dentures have been adjusted, follow-up exams may reveal the need for additional adjustments to ensure form, function, and smile aesthetics.
Denture Adjustments in Brandon, FL
If you're in the Brandon area and want to learn more about dentures as a long-term tooth replacement solution, contact dentist Dr. Sarah Barr and the Walker Barr DMD team to schedule a consultation!