FAQs

Do dentures last forever?

While it’s true that dentures are durable, they aren’t any more permanent than eyeglasses. Dropping them even a few inches can break a tooth or the denture base. Even with conscientious care, denture teeth can lose their natural appearance and chewing ability due to chewing, brushing and age.

Will I need to continue to see a denturist once I have my dentures?

You should see our denturist for regular exams. We’ll check that your dentures are in proper condition while also examining your tongue, jaw and gum ridges for any signs of oral cancer and diabetes.

Will I be able to eat normally and speak properly with dentures?

Properly fitting dentures can actually make chewing easier, which is an important part of continuing a healthy diet as you age. However, there could be some food restrictions depending on your situation.

Are dentures affected by medication?

This depends on what medication you are taking. Let us know of any over-the-counter and prescription medicine you take (even if it’s just on occasion) so we can accommodate for any effects they might have.

Can I make my own denture repairs?

No, any do-it-yourself repairs can actually damage your dentures even more. Visit us to repair or reline them– often the corrections can be made within the same day.

My dentures need to be replaced – will I go through another long adjustment period?

Because your mouth is already used to dentures in general, it should be a much shorter adjustment time. It is much better to have to adjust to replacement dentures than to wear poor fitting dentures that can hurt your gums and even shrink the ridges of your mouth.

What should I avoid eating with dentures?

Dentures can make it difficult to bite into foods without making the dentures come loose. Foods including sandwiches (soft bread), nuts, raw fruits and vegetables become more challenging to eat with dentures.

As you get used to your dentures, you will learn the skills required to eating your favourite foods. We recommend starting with foods that don’t require as much chewing, such as potatoes and pasta. Over time, you will learn to adjust your tongue to help hold the denture. Cutting your food into smaller pieces, chewing on both sides of your mouth at the same time, and relying on your back teeth to chew will help.

Denture adhesive will help hold your denture in place, but for increased confidence and larger food selection options, denture implants should be considered.

Will new dentures make me look different?

Dentures play a major role in your appearance. If dentures are poorly made, or ill-fitting, they can change your appearance for the worse. A witch’s chin, sagging face, crooked jaw, and sunken lips are common complaints by patients with old or poorly-made dentures. On the other hand, if dentures are fabricated correctly, or implant-supported, they can dramatically improve your appearance.

Can a denture replicate my old smile?

Denturists can create custom dentures to suit each individual patient. Whether you’d like to match your old smile from before you had your teeth extracted, or if you prefer a new look, denturists can make that happen.

If you’re getting your first denture, it’s important to have a conversation with the denturist about how your teeth looked previously (size, shape, spaces, and colour) and what you’re looking for in your new smile.

At Gorham Denture Clinic, we recommend bringing in old pictures of you smiling, so the denturist can help replicate your old smile.

Should I wear my dentures while I sleep?

No, it is recommended that you remove your denture for at least eight hours every day. This will allow for normal stimulation and cleansing of your gum tissues by your tongue and saliva. We suggest that after you remove your dentures, you brush them thoroughly and place them in a denture bath with a cleansing tablet.
However, there are some people that cannot tolerate removing their dentures while sleeping. If this is a problem for you, please contact our office and we would be happy to offer you some solutions.

I would like to have my teeth extracted and dentures placed immediately. What are the advantages and disadvantages of doing it this way?

The most obvious advantage to having the denture placed the day of extractions is the fact that you will not have to go without teeth. You will also find that an immediate / temporary denture will act similar to a bandage over your gums, helping to control bleeding and swelling following extractions.

The major disadvantage of an immediate denture is the fit. The denture must be fabricated before your natural teeth are extracted, therefore the accuracy of the fit is reduced. It also does not allow to try out your denture to verify the appearance.

Often the treatment of choice is a temporary / immediate denture, worn while the gums resorb, followed by a permanent denture six to twelve months later.

How often should immediate dentures be relined?

The use of immediate dentures (dentures placed at the time of extractions) is to allow the patient to have teeth put in as soon as their natural teeth get extracted. However, when teeth are extracted, it will cause your bone to shrink, which is why the denture will stop fitting after a certain amount of time.

The number of relines required to keep your immediate denture fitting properly will be based on the individual. Typically, we will recommend that you have an immediate / temporary denture made, followed by a set of permanent dentures six to twelve months following extraction.

At Gorham Denture Clinic, we provide consultations to review a treatment plan suited to your budget. Contact us to schedule an appointment today.

My upper denture fits tightly, but my lower denture is always loose. Why is this happening?

Lower dentures are typically always loose. The upper denture uses the palate for suction, but the lower denture does not have a stable surface to rest on.
After teeth are extracted, the lower jaw shrinks or resorbs at a rate four times faster than the upper jaw. As the lower jaw shrinks, the lower denture comes in closer contact with muscle attachments, which dislodge the denture.

Implant-supported dentures are the best solution for securing loose lower dentures.

I have lost weight and I notice my dentures aren’t fitting anymore. Is this normal?

Losing weight can have an unintended consequence – it can cause your dentures to become loose. When you lose weight, your entire body changes, including your mouth and gums. This affects the fit of the denture and can cause them to become uncomfortable. This can often make eating and day-to-day life a struggle.
Loose dentures can be fixed by a denture reline. Denture adhesive may mask the looseness of your dentures, but you will still not be receiving the function and appearance that you deserve. At Gorham Denture Clinic, we can provide same-day dentures relines with our on-site lab facility.

After a long period of denture wearing, I’m losing gum tissue and bone. Can this be fixed?

Dental research has shown that once teeth have been removed, the jaw bone shrinks and changes shape. Dentures should receive a full examination by a denturist every year to see if relining the denture will solve these issues. However, dentures should also be replaced every 5-10 years.

In the long-term, denture adhesive may mask the looseness of your dentures, but you will still not be receiving the function and appearance that you deserve. When your bone shrinks, your entire face changes and this can contribute to aging your appearance. Physical characteristics of bone loss include a deep wrinkling around the mouth, a pointed chin, and the corners of the mouth turning downward.

Denture implants have the ability to prevent bone loss, since their presence stimulates the jaw (as a natural tooth root would), while restoring biting strength and chewing ability. For this reason, denture implants can provide a good proactive solution to this issue, but they will not be able to restore lost tissue or bone structure after the fact.

When I try to chew food with my lower denture it tips. What can I do?

Chewing with a lower denture is very different than chewing with your natural teeth because traditional dentures do not have roots like your natural teeth. Your denture can be compared to a fence without fence posts.

With dentures, you must develop a skill of chewing on both sides at the same time. Just like balancing a teeter-totter, you must have an equal load on both sides.
The alternative to your difficulty chewing is to place two or more fence posts (implants), which will stabilize your denture and allow you to eat more naturally

Learn more about how denture implants can improve your quality of life.

Is it possible to match my partial dentures to the colour of my remaining teeth?

Denturists are highly-trained in the art of colour and shade matching. We can work with you to match your remaining natural teeth. In addition to training, we also use technologically advanced tools that assist the denturist with shade selection.

Once the denturist has set up the teeth, you will have an appointment to try your partial dentures on and decide if you are happy with the look. We will not make the denture until you are 100% satisfied with the look. Book a consultation with us today to get started.

Do I have to replace my dentures?

Yes, you have to consider replacing your dentures as they will not last indefinitely. Denture teeth and the base will wear and stain, and the tissues in your mouth are continually changing — this will require adjustments, relines, and eventually new dentures.

Our College recommends that the average life of a patient’s dentures not exceed 5-7 years. However, factors such as patient’s preference or tolerance, habits, and length of time that you have worn dentures can all affect the lifespan. Wearing old or ill-fitting dentures can cause a change in your facial features, increase sore spots, and increase the risk of breakage.

Make sure to book an annual exam with us to have your dentures assessed!

How often do my dentures need to be replaced?

On average, dentures should be replaced every five to 10 years. Over time, your face, jaw, and tissues will change as a result of resorption. As dentures are made of stable, rigid material, they do not adapt to these physical changes.

The following signs may indicate that you need new dentures:

Problems chewing certain foods (digestion problems)
Sore, irritated tissues
Loose dentures
Bone (ridge) loss
Thinning lips, sagging mouth
Persistent cracks in the corners of your mouth
Lower jaw sticking out more than it used to
Dentures are cracked, or teeth are chipped or broken
Dentures are discoloured or have an odour
Headaches, neck, or ear pain
Dentures are not in your mouth most of the time

If you have any questions regarding the fit, appearance, or function of your dentures, please contact our office.