Dentures are often a difficult topic for people to discuss. It can be embarrassing for many patients to be able to talk with friends and family about their dental health. For these reasons, dentures may also be surrounded in your mind with a negative stigma.

However, dentures are a natural part of many people’s lives, and when you are empowered with the right knowledge, you can feel confident that you are making the best decisions for your dental health.


While getting dentures can be a huge benefit for many patients, there are some things that may limit the success of dentures. Here are a couple of things to know.

Gum Shrinkage


Dentures need to sit along the bony ridges that used to hold the teeth. When tooth decay or tooth loss occurs, the process of resorption often occurs. Resorption is the wasting or atrophy of bone that leads to a reduction in the actual bone. This shrinkage is the primary reason that dentures don’t fit properly.

Lower Ridge Shapes


Palate Shapes


Potential Lower Denture Problems The lower dentures are subjected to a lot more movement. This movement is due to the mobile nature of the jaw and where the tongue, lips, and cheeks tend to dislodge dentures.


In order to successfully wear lower dentures, many patients must change some of their habitual tendencies. Many people place their tongue against or under dental appliances on the lower jaw.

If the tongue is pressed against or under the denture, it can easily dislodge it, and it will need to be replaced in the mouth. Reducing the amount of movement around the lower denture is critical to keeping it in place throughout the day.

How Long Should Dentures Last?

Many patients believe that their dentures should last for the rest of their lifetime, but dentures should be checked annually. Dentures can wear out over time through use and cleaning. While the base of the denture typically doesn’t change, our gums can also change due to additional atrophy of the bone or wear.

This can cause the denture to fit poorly over time. While there is no hard and fast rule for how long a denture should last, it should be replaced if the fit becomes loose or uncomfortable. Annual visits may be able to make minor adjustments to the denture fit, but at some point, replacement is the only option.

