Dentures are designed to restore both function and appearance, but the visible portion of the teeth, known as the incisal display, can sometimes be adjusted to improve the overall smile. When people ask about lengthening, they are typically referring to increasing the vertical height of the artificial teeth to achieve a more youthful or aesthetically pleasing look. This process is generally considered an adjustment or repair procedure, not a standard part of initial denture manufacturing.
The Feasibility of Denture Tooth Lengthening
Denture teeth can often be lengthened, but the success and method depend on the degree of change required and the denture’s underlying structure. Since most denture teeth are made from acrylic resin or porcelain, they are receptive to material additions. This modification is usually performed on existing dentures that have become deficient over time.
Lengthening is essentially an enhancement or repair, not a complete redesign of the appliance. The feasibility of lengthening is always evaluated against the existing space within the mouth and the opposing arch. This ensures that any change will not compromise the stability of the denture or the health of the surrounding oral tissues.
Common Reasons for Adjusting Tooth Length
The primary motivations for seeking longer denture teeth are aesthetics and function. Aesthetically, teeth that appear worn down or too short can make a person look older or result in a less visible smile. This is particularly noticeable in older dentures where the artificial teeth have been subjected to years of wear, reducing their original length.
Functionally, insufficient tooth length can lead to problems with occlusion. If the teeth are too short, the vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) may be reduced, causing difficulties with biting and chewing. Lengthening the teeth can help restore the correct VDO, improving the overall bite alignment and providing better support for the lips and cheeks.
Methods Used to Modify Denture Tooth Length
Lengthening is primarily achieved through the addition of dental material to the existing artificial teeth. For slight alterations, a dental professional may perform chairside adjustments using self-curing acrylic resin. This quick-setting material is bonded directly to the incisal edge, allowing for immediate, minor corrections. This method is typically reserved for small changes because the material added chairside may be less durable over time than laboratory-processed acrylic.
For more significant or complex lengthening, the denture must be sent to a specialized dental laboratory. Technicians can add material and then process it under heat and pressure, creating a stronger, more durable bond. This process may involve removing the existing teeth and resetting them slightly lower in the denture base, or adding new acrylic to the incisal edges. The lab setting allows for precise shaping and polishing, which is essential for maintaining the natural appearance and feel of the denture.
Limitations and When Full Replacement Is Required
While lengthening is possible, it is constrained by structural limitations. The most significant constraint is the interarch space, which is the vertical space between the upper and lower jaws when the mouth is closed. If the denture teeth are made too long, they will interfere with the opposing teeth, leading to instability, discomfort, and potential trauma to the soft tissues.
Excessive lengthening can also weaken the structural integrity of the denture. If the desired change involves a substantial increase in the vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO), a completely new denture fabrication is required. This ensures the entire appliance is correctly molded and aligned to the new VDO when a major change in the bite relationship is necessary.