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If you’re among the more than 42 million Americans who wear dentures, taking care of them is crucial for your long-term health, well-being, and confidence. In many cases, denture realignment is a vital part of that care. The routine procedure reshapes the appliances for an improved fit, responding to gum or jawbone changes.
The doctors at Central Avenue Dental in Valley Stream, New York, and the Tribeca area of Manhattan in New York City provide comprehensive care for traditional and All-on-4® implant dentures.
If you’ve noticed any of the following signs, it’s likely time to have your removable dentures realigned.
Dentures are customized to snugly fit the contours of your gums and palate. However, if you lose bone tissue where your natural teeth once were, which can stem from the aging process or gum disease, your dentures may no longer fit.
When your dentures feel loose or frequently slip out of place, schedule a realignment exam rather than try to compensate with extra denture adhesive. Otherwise, the poor fit will only grow worse.
While it’s natural to struggle with normal pronunciation when you first get dentures, speaking tends to flow effortlessly once you’re used to them.
If, after your adjustment period, your ability to articulate words well declines or you begin to stumble over certain letters, like S or F, it could indicate the need for realignment.
Dentures typically allow you to eat a normal diet, with possible limitations around sticky foods. Regardless of what you eat, dentures shouldn’t make biting or chewing your food uncomfortable.
If biting or chewing fuels gum irritation, you may need denture realignment. While other factors, like injuries and infections, can cause similar discomfort, denture-related unease may accompany an accompanying sense of looseness or shifting when you eat. Poorly aligned dentures may also scrape against your gums, causing sores.
Eating and speaking require you to use the muscles in your jaw. When dentures fit poorly, those muscles must work much harder than usual. This strains the muscles, causing lingering or recurrent pain. Thankfully, denture-related jaw pain tends to improve with realignment.
Your facial appearance can shift when dentures no longer fit well due to jawbone loss. You might notice that your cheeks and lips fold inward or your lower face has a “sunken in” look. Realigned dentures can help restore a more youthful appearance you can feel confident about.
To learn more about denture realignment or get personalized guidance, call Central Avenue Dental or use our convenient online tool to schedule an appointment.
