Loose dentures? What implant-supported teeth can change

Why dentures get loose over time

Did your denture fit well at first, but now it slips? You did nothing wrong. Your mouth keeps changing. After you lose teeth, the jawbone under them slowly shrinks. No roots are left to keep it working. Your gums change shape too. A denture that fit five years ago may not fit today.

The American Dental Association says a bad fit can add to bone loss over time. It also says denture glue is only a short-term fix. Glue can hold for a day. It cannot fix the fit.

Signs your denture needs a check

Call us if any of these sound like you:

• It slips when you talk, laugh or chew
• It clicks when you speak
• You need more and more glue
• You have sore spots or gums that feel pinched
• You skip foods you love, like steak, corn on the cob or a crisp apple
• It is over five years old and has not been checked

Start with a fit check

Sometimes the fix is simple. A reline adds new material inside your denture, so it fits your gums today. Cleveland Clinic suggests a reline every one to two years. Get one sooner if the fit changes.

If your denture is worn out or cracked, a new one may be better. Cleveland Clinic says dentures last seven to ten years on average.

Have you relined, adjusted and used glue, and it still slips? Then it is time to look at implants.

Option 1: a denture that snaps onto implants

We place a few implants in your jaw. Your denture clicks onto them. You still take it out to clean it and at night. But while it is in, it stays put. No glue needed.

This usually takes fewer implants than fixed teeth. It is good if you are fine taking your denture out. You just want it to stop moving.

Option 2: fixed teeth on implants

Here, a full set of teeth is attached to implants and stays in your mouth. You do not take it out at night. Only your dentist can remove it. You brush it every day and clean under it. A water flosser or small brushes can help. Regular checkups and cleanings keep the implants healthy.

We offer full fixed teeth on implants. We plan each case with a 3D scan (CBCT) in our office. Then we place the implants with a surgical guide made from that scan. Often you can wear temporary teeth while the implants heal.

What implants can change each day

Every mouth is different. But implant support is made to:

• Keep your teeth in place when you talk, laugh and eat
• Let you stop using denture glue
• Make it easier to bite and chew the foods you skip
• Keep your jawbone working. This helps save bone that dentures alone cannot.

Finding out if implants are right for you

What matters most is your health, your gums and how much jawbone you have. If the bone is thin, a graft can sometimes build it up. Smoking and diabetes that is not under control can slow healing. Please tell us about them.

At your evaluation, Dr. Alfredo Calderon or Dr. David Faget checks your mouth and takes a 3D scan here. Then the doctor explains the options that fit you, with the steps, timing and cost. Dr. Calderon has over 15 years of implant experience. He places implants and makes the teeth on top. Financing is available, with implants starting at $99 a month.

New patients can call 305-271-1421 for a free implant evaluation. We are at Kendall Place (the Kendall Mall). We are open Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM.

Common questions

This article is general information, not medical advice. Your dentist will confirm what is right for you at your exam. General information checked against: my.clevelandclinic.org, ada.org, mouthhealthy.org, my.clevelandclinic.org.