Do My Dentures Need to Be Replaced? Signs You Need a New Set
With proper care and maintenance, dentures can last for up to 15 years or more. However, over time, the porcelain will wear and will eventually need to be replaced.
If you experience jawbone atrophy, a new set may be just what you need to properly eat and speak. Learn about the signs to look for and when it is time to visit Premier Dental & Implant Center in Orland Park, IL, for a denture repair or new dentures.
Difficulty Eating or Speaking
Some patients often find there is an adjustment period with their dentures. Eating and speaking may be slightly different as you adjust. However, as years pass, if you notice you are once again having trouble eating or speaking with your dentures, it is time to speak to our dental team and find out if a replacement is in your best interest.
Loose Dentures
Dentures should fit snuggly along your arch. If your dentures are loose, constantly falling out, or slipping when you eat or speak, this is often a sign that it is time to replace your dentures. It could also be a sign that you simply need an adjustment, also known as denture re-lining. It is important to visit your dentist to have them ensure a proper fit so that your dentures function properly and do not cause discomfort.
Wear or Damage
Despite its durability, porcelain will wear over time with normal use. However, if you use your teeth as a tool to open packages, you chew ice, or have issues with grinding or clenching your teeth, you may experience wear or damage much sooner. If your dentures become worn down, cracked, or chipped, it is time for a trip to our Orland Park dental office office for a denture repair or replacement dentures.
Discoloration
Discoloration and staining can be a normal part of the aging process with dentures as well as natural teeth. If you consume foods or drinks that are more prone to stain (such as red wine and coffee) or if you use tobacco products, discoloration can happen much faster. Teeth whitening treatment is not effective on dentures and other restorations. There are products you can use to remove surface stains, but deep stains are more permanent. Significant discoloration and deep staining may be a sign that it is time to replace your dentures.
Pain or Sores
While there may be some minor discomfort as you adjust to your dentures, they should typically be snug and comfortable. If you begin to feel pain or develop sores, it is very important that you contact our Orland Park office so your dentist can address the issue as soon as possible. Sores can be because of a poor fit, which may require a simple adjustment. However, if your dentures are older, it can be a sign that it is time to replace them with a new set.
Changed Facial Appearance
The jaw relies on the tooth roots to provide stimulation to remain strong and healthy. Even a single missing tooth can cause the jaw to begin to atrophy. In fact, the jaw can shrink by up to 25% within the first year of tooth loss. This deterioration can cause your denture to not fit properly, and you will begin to notice a change in your facial appearance. If you notice a change, such as sunken facial features, it could be a sign that your jawbone is deteriorating and you need a better-fitting set of dentures.
Consider Dental Implants to Support Your New Dentures
While our dentists can refit you for a new set of dentures, this will not stop the jawbone deterioration process. However, implant-supported dentures offer a host of benefits.
Dental implants are the gold standard for tooth replacement, and they offer amazing benefits:
- Jawbone Protection — Implants are the only restorative dentistry treatment that can stop and prevent the deterioration that can occur with tooth loss. This can prevent the need for bone grafting later.
- Superior Stability — Implant-supported dentures are secured directly to the implant posts. There is no need for messy denture adhesive and no risk of slippage when eating or speaking. Patients with implant-supported dentures can eat the foods they love and speak with confidence.
- Natural-Looking Results — Implant-supported dentures will look, feel, and function just like natural teeth. You do not remove them, and you brush and floss them like normal.
All-on-4 Full Arch Replacement for Denture Wearers
Patients with mild-to-moderate jawbone atrophy may find that they do not qualify for traditional dental implant placement without preparatory bone grafting surgery. However, All-on-4® dental implants may be an option.
Instead of the traditional eight implant posts, our dentists use four dental implants per arch. Two of these implants are placed at a strategic angle. This maximizes your existing bone material without the need for bone grafting.
All-on-4 dental implants allow more patients than ever to enjoy the amazing benefits dental implants provide.
Traditional Dentures vs. Implant-Supported Dentures
Patients often ask what the differences are between traditional dentures and implant-supported dentures.
Here are a few key things to remember when considering your restorative dentistry options:
- Traditional dentures are removable. Implant-supported dentures are secured directly to the implant posts that are surgically inserted into the jaw.
- Because implant-supported dentures are secured to the implant posts, there is no need for denture adhesive.
- Traditional dentures do not provide the jaw with stimulation, so jaw deterioration is likely to occur. Implants stop and prevent jawbone deterioration as the implants act as artificial tooth roots to stimulate the jaw and keep it healthy.
- With proper care, both traditional dentures and implant-supported dentures can last for up to 15 years or more. The implants are made of durable titanium or ceramic and are designed to last a lifetime.
- Implant-supported dentures are often more expensive. However, because they prevent jawbone loss, they can save you time and money later and prevent the need for bone grafting.
Is it Time to Replace Your Dentures?
If you have any of these signs, it is best to speak to our dentists. They will examine your mouth and dentures and help you decide if repair, re-lining, or replacement is your best option. Contact our Orland Park dentistry practice to schedule an appointment with our team. We look forward to helping you achieve a healthy, beautiful, and functional smile once more.
About Yamen Akhras, DDS
Dr. Yamen Akhras completed training in dental implants from the Misch Institute and the Urban Regeneration Institute. He specializes in treating gum disease, placing implants, and bone and gum grafting.
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