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The Importance of Replacing Dentures every 7 Years

21/5/2015

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Unfortunately many people have the misconception that dentures last forever. However, dentures do not last forever and not replacing them when needed can cause numerous issues. Although it depends on an individual’s circumstance, as a good rule of thumb, dentures should be replaced about every 5-7 years. It is also important that dentures be replaced if they are worn or fit improperly to prevent problems. 

How to Tell if You Need New Dentures

Over the years your jaw, face and tissues change. Your dentures or prosthesis do not change. Since your dentures are composed of inflexible and unyielding material, they will not adapt to your physical body changes. Here are some of the ways signifying that you need to replace your dentures or have them checked: 


  • Softening of mouth tissues
  • Headaches, ear or neck pain
  • Bone ridge reduction or loss
  • You rarely wear your dentures
  • Difficulty chewing certain foods
  • Stomach and indigestion problems
  • Irritated and sore gums or tissues
  • Dentures have an odor or are discolored
  • Dentures easily fall out when talking or laughing
  • A change in facial features such as a sagging mouth or thinning lips

Since the changes happen slowly, signs that your dentures need to be replaced can easily go unnoticed. What is more, health and comfort are greatly compromised when poor fitting dentures are not replaced. 

It is also important that you have your dentures and mouth checked once a year. A low cost consultation for a thorough assessment of you dentures and oral health may prevent high cost issues in the future. As well, the detailed assessment can determine if new dentures are needed. 

Replacing your Dentures

You should never try to repair or adjust your dentures. Although you may think that repairing your own dentures will save money, you can cause permanent damage. In result, you will need to invest in a new set of dentures. In addition, self-assembly reliners can be unwieldy; and when reliners are large it can cause excessive pressure on the jaw and quick jawbone loss. Likewise, do it yourself bulky reliners can aggravate the soft tissues of the mouth.

Price and Product

When it comes to dentures, you pretty much get what you pay for. Lower priced dentures are made of low quality materials and can break easily. Moreover, cheaper dentures will last between ninety days and a couple of years. On the other hand, high quality dentures will last 5-7 years. 

Problems Associated with Ill-Fitting Dentures 

Not only are poor fitting dentures uncomfortable but they can cause other issues. For one, people who wear the same dentures for over 10 years oftentimes develop a prognathic bite. This is where the lower or upper jaw protrudes abnormally forward. Because the body changes, a prognathic bite is likely if the dentures are not replaced, regardless if they are porcelain teeth or acrylic. 

Another issue is bone loss, and as we all know, bone that is lost will never grow back. Therefore, it is imperative and vital for regular yearly checkups. That way you get an in depth assessment of your oral health, prevent possible diseases and replace your current dentures if necessary. 



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What are Implant Overdentures?

14/5/2015

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When it comes to conventional dentures, most people do not wear them because they will not stay in place. In fact, keeping dentures secure is a common issue for many, especially in the lower jaw. And when dentures slip, it can be very embarrassing to say the least. What is more, loose dentures prevent you from eating the food that you desire. However, dentures can work the way should by stabilizing them with implant overdentures. In truth, implant overdentures offer the perfect solution to loose dentures by keeping them in place. As a result, you can eat in confidence knowing that your dentures will not slip. 

Implant Overdentures Overview 

Not only do implant overdentures offer all the benefits of conventional dentures but they provide outstanding stability and support. They fit comfortably over your remaining teeth or your denture implants. Unlike conventional dentures that are held with unreliable adhesives, implant overdentures are held into place with the use of dental attachments. The implant overdentures attachments offer absolute retention and increased functionality. They are composed of two working units; the denture cap that is located on the underside of the denture and the root post which is secured in the root. In place of the root post there is also an implant abutment which is threaded into the implant. 

The Benefits of Implant Overdentures

Aside from regaining back a quality of life, implant overdentures offer a wide array of benefits. Here are just a few: 

Both Upper and Lower Dentures will be More Comfortable 

Implant overdentures fit a lot more securely than adhesives. In addition, the comfortable fit will reduce or eliminate needless movement when you talk or chew. What is more, sores and the embarrassment of your dentures slipping embarrassing displacement, irritated gum tissue and sores are greatly reduced. 

No More Adhesives

Not only are adhesives rendered ineffective but they are quite messy. Implant overdentures gets rid of the need for adhesives and denture creams entirely. As well, not having to use adhesives will eliminate the inconvenience and high cost. 

Slows Down Bone Loss 

Regardless if your implant overdentures are attached to dental implants or your remaining teeth, it will stimulate your jaw bone when you chew. In result, the stimulation slows down and sometimes stops shrinkage (resorption) and bone loss. 

Supports Better Digestion and Health

Generally poor fitting dentures are held in by adhesives. However, implant overdentures make use of dental implants or the roots of remaining teeth and are much more stable than adhesives. With better stability you can chew your food more thoroughly. When your food is completely chewed your stomach breaks down food more proficiently, and thus absorbs more nutrients. As well, studies show that implant overdentures improve phonetics and your ability to speak. 

Helps Retain Facial Structure and Features

Shrinkage or resorption naturally occurs when the jaw is unhealthy or unstimulated. Over time, missing teeth can cause shrinkage between the nose and chin. This shrinking process can cause premature aging and make your face look “sunken-in”. Implant overdentures can control facial contour changes. 



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