Dentures are a tried-and-true tooth replacement method that restores a full arch of teeth. When you’re facing total tooth loss, a dental plate helps restore your smile and keep it functional. However, these restorations raise many questions for patients about stability, function, and solutions. If you have a question about your dentures, Brockley Dental Center may have the answer! Our practice has been around since 1975, with Dr. Donald Brockley leading the charge. Since his daughter, Dr. E. Ahono Gildersleeve, joined the practice, the two have become an incredible dental team, caring for patients’ smiles with compassion and skill. To learn more about your dentures and how we can help, book a consultation at our office in Butler, PA.
Dental Plate FAQs
Some of the most common questions we hear from patients about their dentures include:
Why Are My Dentures Loose?
Initially, traditional denture prosthetics are custom-fit to the contours of your jaw. These restorations rest on your gums and jawbone for support, allowing you to chew and speak normally. But unfortunately, this fit isn’t made to last. Over time, your dentures will come loose as the jawbone beneath them shrinks and shifts.
Jawbone loss is a very common effect of tooth loss, as tooth roots help stimulate bone growth when you chew. Without these roots, your jaw may gradually resorb, changing its shape and eventually making your dentures loose.
Do I Need a Dental Plate Reline?
If your dentures are loose, a reline may help! The procedure involves refitting and shaping your current denture to fit the new shape of your jaw. The process is simple, but it’s not a permanent fix. Your jaw will still continue to shrink over time, so you will eventually need another dental plate reline.
While it’s not a perfect solution, relines do temporarily help with loose dentures.
Why Do I Hear Clicking When I Talk?
Hearing a clicking sound when you speak or chew isn’t uncommon with dentures, especially loose ones.
At first, you may hear clicking for a few weeks while you adjust to new dentures. This is normal as the tongue, lips, and cheeks adjust to your denture. But in 2-4 weeks, the sound should go away. Another cause of clicking is improper bite alignment. If the bite of your denture doesn’t align perfectly, you may hear a clicking noise as the teeth clack together.
And finally, a common cause of denture clicking is loose or ill-fitting dentures. When your prosthetic slips and slides around your gums, it may cause the restoration to click every time you speak or chew.
What Can I Eat With Dentures?
With traditional dentures, you should be able to eat most foods. Some tougher foods may be harder to chew, but your everyday diet should be fine with dentures that fit. But with loose dentures, eating is a whole different story.
Chewing with ill-fitting dentures is very difficult, especially when eating something like steak or nuts. As your prosthetic slips around in your mouth, your bite strength diminishes significantly, making mealtime a hassle. Most patients with loose dentures have to adjust their diets, missing out on their favorite foods and important nutrients.
Can I Add Implants to My Dental Plate?
One common solution for loose dentures, besides a denture reline, is denture glue. The adhesive helps hold your upper or lower plate in place, keeping it secure throughout the day. However, denture glue isn’t always as effective as it promises. Lower dentures can be difficult to glue down, and many patients find denture glue messy and bad-tasting, making it a hassle to apply every day.
At Brockley Dental Center, we have a better solution. When patients come into our office asking about their loose denture, we recommend considering dental implant treatment!
Dental implants are titanium screws that we use to secure a dental plate to your jaw. Unlike glue or a reline, this solution isn’t temporary. These implants embed inside your jaw, creating a lasting and reliable foundation for dentures that won’t change over time.
Additionally, dental implants help prevent jawbone loss! With implants in place, your jaw receives enough stimulation to stop bone loss in its tracks. This helps improve both your jawbone health and your ability to restore your teeth reliably.
Come in for a Consultation To Learn More About Your Dental Plate Options
Dentures help restore your smile, but they do come with some difficult issues. If you’re struggling with loose, clicking, or ineffective dentures, visit us in Butler, PA! At Brockley Dental Center, we offer incredible denture solutions that go beyond a simple reline. We’ll transform your denture into an implant denture, adding reliable dental implants to keep your smile in place. With these restorations, you can eat and speak normally without worry. Book your initial consultation with us today!
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