New Haven Dental Group is a 42 North Dental Care, PLLC practice and is owned and operated by dentists Dr. Samuel Shames, DDM. and Dr. Ronald Weissman, DDM. Gentle Dental is supported by 42 North Dental, LLC, a dental support organization that provides non-clinical administrative and business support services to the practice. 42 North Dental, LLC does not own or operate the dental practice or employ dentists to provide dental services. Find more information about 42 North Dental, LLC and the dental practices it supports at 42northdental.com.
Dentures are an effective way to replace teeth. They can provide reliable chewing function and boost your facial aesthetics. However, they cannot properly do their job unless they are properly situated in the mouth. Unfortunately, some individuals find that their prosthetic does not want to stay put. Why does your lower denture keep slipping out of place? What can you do to address the problem? This blog post provides practical information.
Why Are Your Dentures Slipping?
The most common explanation for why lower dentures slip out of place is simply that they do not fit properly. This can happen for a number of reasons:
- Changes to the shape of the gums and jaw. Once the natural teeth go missing, the jawbone starts to shrink and change shape. This can affect the shape of the gums and impact their ability to support a denture.
- Damage to the denture. Dentures tend to be quite durable. However, they can sometimes break or become warped. They might incur damage if you accidentally drop them, use overly hot water to clean them, or make other missteps.
- Poorly designed dentures. Because they want to save money, some patients choose to get “bargain” dentures. Their prosthetic may not fit properly or have other shortcomings in its quality.
Of course, even if your dentures fit well, there is still a chance that they could slip out of place. This might happen if you are new to using your prosthetic and have not yet adapted to using it.
How to Fix Slipping Dentures
If your lower denture does not want to stay in place, have a conversation with your dentist about the problem. They might suggest one of the following options:
- A denture reline. During a reline, material is added to the base of the denture so it fits more snugly on the gums.
- The use of adhesive. In many cases, natural suction is enough to help dentures stay in place. Sometimes, though, adhesive can provide extra stabilization.
- A replacement denture. If your denture is badly damaged, not well-made, or more than 5 – 7 years old, you may need to replace it with a new prosthetic.
- Implant dentures. An implant denture is anchored in the mouth via prosthetic tooth roots (dental implants), which are surgically inserted into the jaw. Implant dentures are almost impervious to unwanted slippage.
A lower denture that refuses to stay in place can be en embarrassing and frustrating problem! Fortunately, your dentist is ready to help you find a solution.
Meet the Practice
New Haven Dental Group has been serving our community for more than 40 years. We proudly offer a range of services, including dentures, denture maintenance, and implant-supported tooth replacement. If you are struggling with a slipping denture, we are prepared to assist you. Contact our team at 203-712-4068.