Why Dentures Need Proper Placement

When teeth are removed, our jawbone begins a continuous, lifelong process of resorption, or shrinkage.  The pressure from dentures on gum tissues also cause shrinkage, since gum tissues were never intended to withstand chewing forces.  Dentures that don't fit properly cause even greater and more rapid shrinkage.  How do you know when it is time to get a new set of dentures?

New Set of Denture

If you're like most people, you'll find high quality, well-fitting dentures restores your youthful appearance, allows you to eat most of the foods that you love, helps you feel better about yourself, eliminates embarrassment, enables you to speak more clearly and may even help with digestion!

A set of dentures is not meant to last forever because your denture was made to fit the original shape of your oral anatomy and that shape changes as the bone and gums underneath recede.  Often you don't notice the gradual shrinkage that causes them to loosen and become unstable, affecting you in a number of different ways.  If your denture slips and moves, if words are difficult to form, if you can't chew as easily as before, or if lack of facial support has given you the collapsed "denture look",  then it's time to get your smile back with a new set of dentures.  The new set will make you look better and feel younger, speak more clearly and enhance your chewing ability.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309