Loose Fitting Dentures
Over time minor changes in the fit of properly fabricated and fitted dentures will occur. Studies show that even the best denture causes ¼ mm of bone loss of the supporting ridge per year. Additional studies show that as a denture becomes ill fitting, the bone resorption beneath the denture base increases. The greatest remodeling of the ridge below the denture base is known to occur in the first two years of use.
Solutions for these issues can usually be addressed in two ways:
The primary method for treatment of poorly fitting dentures is to do a laboratory-processed reline. Relining a denture base provides acrylic replacement in areas of change that have occurred since initial fabrication.
The second solution, for patients wishing to have better retention from their prosthesis, is to place dental implants to keep the denture in place. While implants can be placed in the top or the bottom jaw to increase stability and retention of the denture base, most often this is usually preformed in the lower jaw.
Most patients feel that standard upper dentures allow for adequate function. However, the standard dentures in the lower jaw usually have many functional shortfalls in regard to use. Placing two small dental implants in the front part of the lower jaw can provide retention and stability that most patients find life changing.