When Should a Denture Be Replaced?
There is no specifically agreed-upon chronological answer by dentists to "When should a denture be replaced?" There are instances where dentures have been replaced after 1 year or less, and on the opposite side of the spectrum, there are people who have worn the same dentures for 25 or more years. These ranges obviously are extremes.
However, on average, dentists seem to be replacing dentures somewhere between four to eight years. This would seem to imply that the average denture fabricated from contemporary biomaterials will wear out and deteriorate within that time and/or the average denture patient's jaws have changed so much that a new denture must be redone.
Each individual's denture needs are different. There are some factors that a licensed dentist takes into consideration when evaluating the need to replace dentures.
Denture Longevity Considerations
Lost vertical dimension:
The proper linear distance relationship between the upper and lower jaws is called vertical dimension. This is unique for each individual.
As one's jaw changes and the ridges upon which dentures rest shrink, a denture becomes loose and vertical dimension begins to change (the vertical dimension is said to be lost by a certain linear measurement unit such as millimeters). Additional plastic (acrylic resin) is added to the inside of a loosening denture (called relining a denture) to stabilize it by reducing looseness caused from jaw shrinkage. However, relining does not restore vertical dimension in an accurate way.
The current position held by most dentists is that when vertical dimension has been lost by three millimeters or more, a new denture should be fabricated in order to restore vertical dimension and maintain functional health.
There are individuals who have worn the same denture for extended periods with considerable loss of vertical dimension over time. Since vertical dimension loss is a slow, but nevertheless progressive, process, they have gradually adapted to a continually increasing closed bite position. These individuals often have a sunken facial appearance and usually appear much older than their chronological age.
Functioning with an abnormal vertical dimension may eventually result in alterations of the temporomandibular joints (TMJ, the jaw joint located in front of the ears). This can lead to significant pain and difficulty with effective eating and even the jaw motions involved with speech. It frequently becomes quite difficult, if not impossible, to restore such individual's proper vertical dimension and chewing efficiency by relining and repairing this older denture.
Tooth wear:
Aside from impaired ability to chew effectively, excess tooth wear will adversely affect esthetics and cause other problems associated with lost vertical dimension, as described above. While porcelain denture teeth will wear at a slower rate than plastic teeth, they nevertheless will wear and are more susceptible to chipping and cracking. Multiple cracked teeth will need to be replaced.
Deterioration: While the biomaterials used by dentists to fabricate dentures today are quite durable, they still deteriorate and exhibit dimensional change over time -- no longer fitting properly, even after relining.
Aging plastic looses its natural appearance and texture, and coloration fades, making dentures look quite artificial.
Deteriorating plastic also makes it easier for dentures to become excessively contaminated with microorganisms. This contributes to mouth irritation and bad taste, and socially unacceptable odors will develop that no amount of denture cleaning will seem to eliminate.
Keeping regular dental check-ups with your dentist so that one's dentures, soft tissues, and jawbone may be checked is essential to extending the life of a denture and maintaining oral health.
by Joseph J. Massad, D.D.S.
+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.
New Dentures: What to Expect from Complete Dentures
Complete dentures are less than perfect replacements for natural teeth. However, they have proven to be effective for countless individuals and can be comfortable to wear if a person has reasonable expectations and recognizes that there definitely will be an adaptation period.
It is important to understand that "showing off" with new complete dentures often ends in an unpleasant and embarrassing experience. One must first practice with their new prosthesis and learn what limitations and compensations need to be considered.
The old adage of "learn to walk before you run" certainly applies to the successful, secure and comfortable wearing of complete dentures.
Some Factors to Consider When Wearing New Complete Dentures
This is not an exhaustive review of new complete dentures learning considerations. However, these are common areas of concern. If a person has a unique question or problem, they should always contact their dentist or prosthodontist for advice and direction.
Full feeling:
When new complete dentures are first placed in the mouth, they frequently feel fuller, and it may not seem like there is enough room for the tongue. When a person has been without teeth for a period of time, the inside of the cheeks and tongue can become slightly thicker or feel fuller. When new complete
dentures are first inserted, this slight fullness may feel enormous. It actually is not, and the full feeling will usually go away very shortly if an individual does not dwell on the sensation.
Previously unsupported sunken facial structures and muscles usually will be supported with new complete dentures to a normal position. These facial tissues adapt rapidly to their regained normal positioning and will feel less strained and more flexible. A more youthful appearance results in many cases.
Phonetic difficulty:
When a person is used to producing speech sounds without teeth or with old complete dentures that no longer preserves proper jaw relationships, they generally have adapted their speech in such a way as to accommodate these abnormal conditions. However, when correct jaw relationships and contours are established again with new complete dentures, there may be some difficulty producing certain speech sounds clearly, and teeth might even click together in some instances. This is temporary.
If an individual makes an effort to speak slowly and clearly, pronouncing words very precisely, the tongue and other muscles will adapt quickly to produce clear speech. It is often useful to read a book or newspaper out loud, carefully pronouncing each word precisely.
Sore spots and irritations:
These may develop as new complete dentures settle in. This may require some adjustment to the body of the complete dentures, and, more often, careful adjustment of the bite resolves these types of problems.
At times, the jaws may feel tired and soreness can develop. Taking complete dentures out to rest the mouth for a time frequently helps resolve these problems.
Chewing patterns:
Chewing patterns will need to be developed over several weeks, starting by chewing with small pieces of soft food and gradually increasing the firmness over several weeks. Generally, food should be chewed on both sides of the mouth at the same time.
Front teeth are considered primarily for esthetics and speech and to a lesser degree for function. Food is not bitten off with the front teeth efficiently; rather, the bolus of food should be held by the complete dentures, near the corners of the mouth, and torn off by rotating the hand holding food in a downward motion. This will increase chewing efficiency and reduce irregular denture rocking.
A complete dentures patient needs to take control and keep a positive attitude for optimal results.
by Joseph J. Massad, D.D.S.
+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.