Removable dentures — full or partial — are one of the longest-running services this office offers. We see patients in their fifties for their first set, and patients in their eighties for a replacement after twenty years of wear.
If you wear dentures and any of the following sounds familiar, your fit may need adjustment.
Six signs your denture isn't fitting right
- Sore spots that don't heal. A new denture takes a couple of weeks to settle. A long-worn denture should not be producing sores. If yours is, the bone underneath has likely changed shape, and the denture needs to be relined or rebased.
- Slipping when you talk or eat. A well-fitting denture suctions to the gums and stays put. Slipping means the fit has loosened — usually from gradual bone loss in the jaw, which is normal but adjustable.
- Chewing pressure on the front teeth only. That means the back teeth aren't making contact. The bite is uneven, which will eventually crack the denture and put strain on the gums.
- Constant need for adhesive. Adhesive should be a comfort, not a requirement. If your denture won't stay in without it, the underlying fit has shifted.
- Difficulty pronouncing certain sounds. Whistled S sounds, slurred F sounds, or the feeling that your tongue is hitting the denture differently than it used to.
- Discomfort that's worse at the end of the day. This is often a sign of an over-tall bite — the denture is closing your mouth differently than your natural teeth did.
What we do
We've fit dentures in this office for 75 years. We can reline, rebase, or remake — and we can tell you honestly which one your current denture needs. Most adjustments take one or two appointments and put the comfort back.
If a denture is past adjustment, we discuss replacement options together — including implant-supported alternatives if those interest you.
Talk to Dr. Agrawal
If your dentures aren't fitting the way they should, call us at 540-337-6004 or request an appointment online. There's no reason to live with discomfort.