When to Replace Your Dentures

Dentists recommend dentures to patients who have lost all or most of their natural teeth. They allow their patients to improve their appearance and to chew food and speak without problems. However, dentures are not as durable as other teeth replacement devices and will need to be replaced at least once.

Replacing your dentures

Having to replace dentures is nothing to worry about because it is something that happens to most people who use them. Dentists are used to having to fix or replace them. Some of the reasons dentures have to be replaced include:

End of its lifespan

Even though dentures are made from a variety of materials, some of which are high-quality, they still have an average lifespan of seven to 10 years. People who have worn dentures for 10 or more years should take them to their dentist to have them checked to see if they are still functioning properly.

The dentures do not fit

Over the years, the way the dentures fit in one’s mouth changes. The change is due to shifts in the underlying bone structure. When dentures become loose or wobbly, they make routine tasks like chewing and speaking more difficult. However, people who do not wear their dentures on a regular basis complain that the fit is too tight.

Due to these reasons, dentists recommend that their patients have their dentures regularly inspected and relined every two years to make sure that they fit perfectly. But, if a patient who gets their dentures maintained on a regular basis notices significant changes in the way that they fit, they should consider replacing them.

The teeth break

Having the artificial teeth on the dentures break does not necessarily mean the dentures have to be replaced. In a lot of cases, the broken teeth can be fixed by a dental health professional. If the teeth cannot be fixed, the dentures will have to be replaced.

Dentures get stained

After a while dentures may develop small cracks or fractures that cause the dentures to become dirty. The cracks can also lead to a bacterial infection if they are not fixed, which can lead to other dental problems. Patients who notice cracks or stains in their dentures should have the dentures examined by their dentist to determine if it has to be replaced.

Broken base

The base of the dentures is the part that holds the artificial teeth in place while they rest on the gums. If the base breaks or gets damaged, the denture will have to be replaced because it will no longer be functional.

Unexplained discomfort

When dentures do not fit properly, it can lead to discomfort and pain for the user. If a patient experiences unexplained discomfort, they will need to get their dentures examined to ensure a proper fit.

Conclusion

Dentures do a great job replacing natural teeth. But, they need to be properly maintained to make sure they are functioning correctly and replaced when they are not. If you have been wearing dentures for over 10 years, then schedule an appointment with your dentist to get them replaced.

Request an appointment here: https://smilesonmichigan.com or call Smiles On Michigan at (312) 509-9492 for an appointment in our Chicago office.

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.