4 Reasons to See Your Dentist for Ill-Fitting Dentures

Ill-fitting dentures can leave you feeling uncomfortable and ready to throw in the towel on your new smile. When changes to your facial shape cause your prosthetic to no longer fit as it should, various problems can develop that may leave you wondering if it’s worth wearing dentures at all. Before you give up or accidentally damage your artificial teeth in an attempt to make them fit, discover why seeing a dentist for help can ultimately save your oral health and your smile’s aesthetics. 

How Ill-Fitting Dentures Can Negatively Impact Your Smile

When receiving your dentures to replace your missing teeth, you might assume they will always fit perfectly, allowing you to enjoy a fuller, more complete smile for the rest of your life. Unfortunately, this is not the case when it comes to this type of prosthetic. Because nothing is stimulating your jawbone, changes in your facial shape can occur, resulting in your dentures no longer fitting as they once did. As a result, you can be left with an uncomfortable fixture in your mouth. Most commonly, your ill-fitting dentures can cause:

• Your gums to swell – Additional pressure placed on your soft tissues because of dentures that do not fit properly can result in swelling and irritation. You may even notice that your gums bleed when attempting to wear your prosthetic.
• Difficulty speaking – Even when dentures fit correctly, you may develop a slight speech impediment, especially in the beginning; however, when they do not fit as they should, it’s nearly impossible to keep them in the appropriate place and speak clearly when surrounded by family, friends, or colleagues. As a result, this can cause embarrassment.
• Oral sores to form – The friction caused by ill-fitting dentures can also cause oral sores to form in areas of your mouth. Not only can these be painful, but they can also be unsightly to see. They can also increase your risk for infection and worsen your gum disease.
• Damage to your regular teeth – If you are wearing a partial denture that is no longer fitting as it should, it can begin to damage your healthy teeth, resulting in a breakdown of tooth enamel, essentially putting your natural teeth at risk for decay, gum disease, or even tooth loss.

How Your Dentist Can Help

Should you notice any of the above-mentioned signs developing, or if you notice that you have increased soreness, frequent headaches, or difficulty eating, make sure to get in to see your dentist as soon as possible. You might think there’s no real solution for ill-fitting dentures, but there is. By scheduling an appointment with your dental professional, they can determine the severity of the problem and decide if your prosthetic should be relined or replaced.

If relining is possible, they will resurface the area of your denture to ensure a more comfortable fit when put into place. When done correctly, it will minimize the potential for additional pressure to be placed onto your gums. However, if the problem is more severe, your dentist may suggest simply replacing your denture altogether, especially if it has suffered damage as a result of it no longer fitting correctly.

No matter the solution, you can trust that your dentist is your ally, and they will work to get your oral health back on track so you can enjoy life with a full, complete smile.

About the Author
Dr. Jason Kaopua has more than two decades of experience in the field of dentistry. Completing his dental degree at Oregon Health & Sciences University, he returned to Hawaii to open various clinics to serve underprivileged populations. Eventually, he moved to Everett, WA, to open Albright Family Dental and has since helped the residents achieve greater oral and overall health. Providing high-quality prosthetics for patients suffering from tooth loss, he and his team can provide full and partial dentures that look natural and allow for greater functionality as well as offer adjustments and replacements should these fixtures no longer fit as they should. If you are suffering from ill-fitting dentures, contact us at (425) 267-3333.