New Denture Won’t Stay In? How to Prevent It from Happening to You or Correct It Before It’s to Late

In January I visited a dentist to get new dentures. I had my previous dentures for 8 years, so I was overdue for a new set. The dentist took impressions and did a wax bite. I did two wax try-ins and both were loose. The dentist dismissed my complaint and said the try-in was for me to see how the denture looks and that I shouldn’t worry about them feeling loose.

Now I have my new dentures. The upper arch won’t stay in. There is no suction. Now the excuse from my dentist is that my gums need time to adjust. What am I supposed to believe—are my gums going to grow or swell to make the denture fit? I went back to the office two weeks ago for a follow-up appointment. My dentist and I discussed the issue. Five times he took the denture off, ground on it, put it back in and voila—there is no change. He told me to use denture adhesive and come back in a month for relining. I’m not paying for a relining of a denture that is way too large to keep in my mouth. What am I supposed to do about this guy and getting my money back? – Gianna D.

Gianna,

Although your dentist’s techniques seem a little crude, relining the denture might be the answer.

If you’ve told us everything about how your denture was made, your dentist skipped some steps.

Two-Step Impressions for Dentures

A two-step impression is the most accurate:

• Take a preliminary impression of your jaw
• Use the model to make a custom tray
• Use the custom tray to make a mold and use a heavier impression material to register the edges of your gums and ensure the denture fits well. This process—border molding—registers what will become the denture borders. The border of the denture makes or breaks suction to keep the denture in place.
• A wash, or lighter material, fills the interior of the impression to capture tiny details and give you a denture that stays in place.

What About a Denture Reline?

When your dentist relines your denture, he will likely use the denture as a mold for a custom tray. He should get an impression that’s more accurate than the first one. You can ask him to use a two-step impression for a fit that prevents your denture from falling out.

If you’re uncomfortable about letting your dentist reline your denture, you can get a second opinion first.

David Finley, DDS of Monroe, LA sponsors this post.