Are There Soft Dentures?
Posted by writeradmin
I’ve had dentures for a few months. They’ve given me problems since the beginning. My dentist said that I just need time to adjust to them. I’m not adjusting well. Currently the biggest problem is how the denture plate at the top makes me gag. Is there any such thing as a soft denture? One that is pliable? I think that might help.
Addison
Dear Addison,
I am very glad you wrote. You are not the first person to have trouble adjusting to dentures. There is something called a soft liner. This is put into the denture where your denture fits over the bone ridge. It’s designed to help patients that have a bony ridge to help prevent sores. Unfortunately, there is not a soft denture. The denture plate has to remain firm because your upper denture is held in by suction.
The good news is that there is a solution. Instead of removable dentures, as you have now, you could get implant supported dentures. This places four to six dental implants and then anchors your dentures to them. Because the dentures are anchored to the implants, there is no need for the denture plate. That takes away the gagging reflex some people feel.
The Dangers of Facial Collapse
The bigger issue for you is in the long term. I don’t know if your dentist warned you about facial collapse, but it is a serious issue with long term use of removable dentures. When your teeth were removed, your body started immediately resorbing the minerals in your jawbone in order be as efficient with your body’s resources as possible. This is wonderful for your body but horrible for your appearance.
After about ten or so years, you will no longer have enough jawbone left to keep your dentures in. This will not only make you look decades older than you are, but it will also make it impossible for you to keep your dentures in your mouth. This leaves you with having to eat soft foods the rest of your life.
The solution to this is the same as the solution for your denture plate. The dental implants function as prosthetic tooth roots, which signals to your body that you still have teeth which need to be supported. Because of that, it leaves your jawbone alone.
This blog is brought to you by a top-rated dentist in Arnold, MD, Dr. Meredith Esposito.