Removable dental prosthetics, often called dentures, offer a functional solution for missing teeth. A common challenge is maintaining their stability, as dentures can shift or move if not properly secured. This instability can be disruptive. Various methods exist to keep these appliances firmly in place, ranging from daily self-care products to professional adjustments and advanced long-term treatments.
Immediate Solutions: Choosing and Applying Adhesives
Denture adhesives create a thin, tacky layer that enhances the seal between the prosthetic and the gum tissue. This layer reduces minor movement and provides security for the wearer. Adhesives come in several forms, including creams, powders, and strips.
Cream or paste adhesives are the most popular type, offering a strong, all-day hold and a cushioning effect that reduces pressure points. For application, the denture should be thoroughly cleaned and dried, as the adhesive bonds best to a dry surface. Apply only three or four small, pea-sized dots or short, thin strips of cream to the tissue-facing surface of the upper denture, and slightly fewer on the lower.
Denture powders provide a thin, natural-feeling layer that is less messy than creams. They are often preferred for dentures that fit well but need a slight boost in retention. The powder is lightly sprinkled over the damp fitting surface, and excess is shaken off before seating the denture. Adhesive strips or pads offer a mess-free alternative, as they are pre-cut to the denture shape and can be trimmed for a customized fit.
Adhesives should be used sparingly; applying too much can cause the product to ooze out, which is wasteful and irritating. The goal of an adhesive is to supplement the fit of a well-made denture, not to fix one that is severely loose. If the need for adhesive increases significantly over time, it indicates that a professional adjustment is necessary.
Addressing Changes in Jaw Structure
The primary reason dentures become loose over time is alveolar bone resorption. When natural teeth are removed, the jawbone that once supported them loses stimulation, causing it to gradually diminish in volume and height. This shrinkage changes the contour of the residual ridge, meaning the denture base no longer conforms perfectly to the gum tissue.
When this structural mismatch occurs, professional intervention is required to restore a tight fit. A reline is a common procedure where a new layer of acrylic material is added to the inside surface of the denture to refit it precisely to the current shape of the gums. Hard relines use a durable, rigid material and typically last for one to two years.
For patients with sensitive or sore gums, a soft reline may be recommended. This procedure uses a pliable, rubber-like material that provides a cushioning effect against the tissue. Soft relines are less durable and may need replacement more frequently, perhaps every 6 to 12 months. A more extensive procedure is rebasing, where the entire acrylic base material is replaced while keeping the original artificial teeth. Rebasing is done when the denture base is worn, damaged, or when the jaw structure has changed dramatically.
Advanced Stability Options
For individuals who cannot achieve satisfactory stability through adhesives or standard reline procedures, advanced options provide a significantly higher level of retention. The most effective long-term solution is the use of implant-supported dentures, also known as overdentures. This method involves surgically placing a small number of dental implants into the jawbone, which serve as anchors for the prosthetic.
The overdenture is secured to these implants using specialized attachments that lock the denture into place.
Specialized Attachments
One common system is the ball attachment, where a ball-shaped component on the implant snaps into a corresponding socket embedded in the denture. Another popular choice is the locator attachment, which is low-profile and has a self-aligning feature, making it easier to seat the prosthetic.
Splinted attachments, such as a bar system, connect two or more implants with a thin metal bar. The denture then clips onto this bar for maximum stability. These implant-retained solutions transfer some chewing force directly to the jawbone, which helps mitigate the progressive bone resorption that occurs with conventional dentures. This direct connection offers a level of security and function not achieved with traditional appliances resting on the gums alone.