Lower dentures are well-known for causing problems for wearers, particularly after a few years of use. It is not unusual for dentures that used to fit quite well to gradually become looser and ill-fitting, making them uncomfortable or even painful to wear. While it is possible to have dentures re-lined or to use dentures adhesives, this doesn’t address the underlying problem of why dentures become loose and uncomfortable.
How Natural Teeth Help Your Jawbone
Natural teeth have quite long roots that extend quite a way into the jawbone. This helps anchor the teeth firmly in place, but tooth roots also have another important purpose. Whenever you bite or chew on your natural teeth this produces forces that are transmitted through the crown of the tooth, down through the tooth roots and out into the bone surrounding the tooth. The force helps stimulate the surrounding bone and prompts the body to continue renewing old bone cells, ensuring the bone remains strong and healthy.
Your Jawbone Changes Shape Once Natural Teeth are extracted
Once you lose your natural teeth, this stimulation is removed and the ridge of bone that used to support your teeth will gradually begin to change shape, becoming flatter and narrower. If you wear a lower denture then much of its retention comes from this ridge, so its loss makes it far more likely that your denture will begin to move around, rubbing on your gums as it becomes loose and uncomfortable and difficult to keep in place. Wearing an ill-fitting denture can actually accelerate this bone loss which is why it’s important to visit your dentist to find out your options.
Using Dental Implants to Secure Loose Lower Dentures
Dental implants are the most permanent solution, particularly as the implant posts are inserted into the jawbone where they provide stimulation similar to that of a natural tooth root. The implant posts are used to secure replacement teeth which can be in the form of a fixed bridge or an implant supported denture. There are various different implant systems that can be used to replace lower dentures in this way but one of the most straightforward and cost-effective is called All-on-Four.
Why use All-on-Four?
This option uses just four dental implants that are inserted into the jawbone in a particular way to provide maximum stability and support. It’s ideal for denture wearers who may have already lost quite a bit of jawbone as the implants are inserted towards the front of the mouth where the bone tends to be thicker and stronger. The implants are inserted in such a way as to maximise the use of this bone as two are placed vertically at the front of the mouth while another two are placed on either side at a 45° angle tilted towards the back of the mouth. This angle allows your dentist to use longer dental implants, increasing the surface area of the implant that will come into contact with your jawbone. A greater surface area helps provide additional stability and strength so your new teeth can be firmly held in place. You may hear this system called “teeth in a day” and this is because you’ll receive your new teeth on the same day the implants are inserted.
Yours in oral health,
Dr Violeta Claus
