You may remember the day you first got your dentures: how secure and natural they felt. Over time, though, you might start noticing subtle changes. Maybe your dentures begin to slip when you talk or chew. Perhaps your gums feel sore, or you’re relying more and more on adhesive. These are common signs indicating that your dentures may need relining or adjustment.
At MR Dental Aesthetics in Beverly Hills, Dr. Mahnaz Rashti, DDS, an NYU-trained periodontist and implant specialist, offers advanced solutions to reline, adjust, or replace your dentures and help restore comfort. Understanding why your dentures no longer fit perfectly, and how timely relines or adjustments can help, can make all the difference in maintaining your oral health.
How your jawbone and gums change over time
After tooth loss, your jawbone begins to shrink in a natural process known as bone resorption. The bone that once supported your teeth loses stimulation from chewing forces and gradually diminishes in volume and density. Within the first year after extractions, you can lose up to 25% of the bone height in your jaw, and that process continues slowly over the years.
Your gum tissue also changes in shape and thickness. As the underlying bone shrinks, the gum contours adapt, becoming thinner, softer, and less stable. Over time, the surface on which your dentures rest evolves, even if the changes are too small to notice at first. Soon, what once felt like a perfect fit begins to loosen, creating pressure points, sore spots, and instability.
These natural changes are part of aging, but without regular evaluation and maintenance, they can make even the best dentures uncomfortable or damaging to your gums and bone health.
Why your dentures may stop fitting well
Even when dentures are expertly crafted, they don’t last forever. Small biological and environmental changes can have a big impact on how they fit and feel.
- Bone and tissue resorption: As your jawbone and gum tissue continue to shrink, the shape of your mouth no longer matches the shape of your denture. The denture begins to rest unevenly on your gums, creating friction and soreness. This micro-movement accelerates bone loss, making the problem worse over time.
- Everyday wear and tear: Dentures experience years of stress from daily chewing, temperature changes, and cleaning. Over time, the acrylic base can warp slightly, and the artificial teeth can wear down, altering your bite alignment and making it harder for your denture to sit properly against your gums.
- Weight or health changes: Significant weight loss or gain can subtly change the amount of fatty tissue in your face and gums. Additionally, conditions like osteoporosis or medications that reduce saliva production can cause further tissue shrinkage, leading to a looser fit.
- Prolonged use without maintenance: Dentures aren’t meant to be “set and forget.”
Without regular professional assessments, minor issues can grow into major discomfort. A denture that’s been worn for more than two or three years without adjustment often no longer fits the contours of your mouth, even if it feels “okay.”
Signs indicating your dentures aren’t fitting well
Even slight shifts in fit can cause discomfort or long-term damage if left unaddressed. Many patients don’t realize how much change has occurred until soreness or irritation becomes impossible to ignore. If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to schedule an evaluation:
- Your denture moves or rocks when you speak or chew
- You use adhesive more than once a day
- You feel sore spots, irritation, or ulcers on your gums
- The denture feels tight in some areas but loose in others
- You hear clicking sounds when talking or eating
- You experience pain while chewing even soft foods
- It’s been more than a year since your last adjustment or reline
Denture relining, adjustment, and replacement
Once your dentures stop fitting properly, that doesn’t always mean you need a brand-new set. Depending on the condition of your gums and dentures, Dr. Rashti may recommend a reline, an adjustment, or a complete replacement.
Denture relining
Relining involves resurfacing the inner portion of your denture, the part that sits against your gums, to match the new shape of your mouth. This can be done using soft or hard materials. A soft reline is more flexible and ideal for sensitive gums, while a hard reline offers more durability. The process renews your denture’s fit, improves stability, and can slow down future bone loss by allowing proper stimulation of the underlying structures.
Denture adjustment
Adjustments are smaller, fine-tuned corrections that smooth out pressure points, rebalance your bite, or correct movement during speech or chewing. These minor modifications can make a significant difference in comfort, especially when done regularly.
Denture replacement
Replacement is recommended when dentures are beyond repair; for example, when the teeth are excessively worn, the base is cracked or stained, or the fit can no longer be restored with a reline. Most dentures last approximately five to seven years, depending on the level of care and individual anatomy. Replacing them ensures continued function, comfort, and facial support.
At MR Dental Aesthetics in Beverly Hills, relines and replacements are performed with precision and careful artistry. Dr. Rashti ensures that your dentures not only look natural but also support your long-term oral health. If your dentures aren’t fitting the way they used to, now is the perfect time to schedule an evaluation and rediscover what it feels like to smile, speak, and eat comfortably.
