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Problems With Bottom Dentures

Adapting to upper or lower dentures or a full set of dentures can be challenging for an individual. The bottom set of dentures can present problems markedly different from those on the top because these dentures are actually floating prostheses, which the muscles in the floor of the mouth and cheek as well as the tongue threaten to dislodge. The bottom denture is also sitting on a jaw bone that moves.

  1. Older People and Bottom Dentures

    • Older individuals may find it difficult to hold their bottom dentures in place because their mouth and cheek muscles are weaker than a younger person's. This weakness diminishes the force that holds dentures in place. Additionally, the ridge that the denture sits on becomes smaller over time and offers less of a grip for the denture, according to Dental-Health and Dr. Richard Winter.

    Chewing

    • Chewing can prove challenging. Consider that your regular teeth are set in bone whereas dentures sit on the gum. Chewing when wearing bottom dentures can be difficult and frustrating. In time, your ability to chew effectively and without pain should improve but some foods, such as steak, may always be problematic for you.

    Pressure Necrosis

    • Unlike an upper denture, the lower denture doesn't have any suction seal. It rides on the lower jawbone, which can lose bone density over the years due to pressure necrosis, which is caused by the denture sitting on the jawbone. When this occurs, the bottom denture may no longer fit correctly.

    Shrinkage

    • Bottom and top dentures can become loose after a while because the bone under the dentures is shrinking or resorbing.

    Mini Implants

    • Bottom dentures are challenging to fit and to wear. Some dentists are now using mini implants, which are not like standard implants. These mini implants can be placed in the jawbone but the procedure does not involve making an incision. The implants help the bottom denture retain its position. Once the implants are inserted the denture is retrofitted so that it contains housings that contain a rubber o-ring, which slip over the implants. The denture snaps into place over the implants.

    Speech

    • A new set of dentures may change the way you speak. In time, when your tongue gets used to the new teeth, your speech should improve.

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