Alternatives To Denture Adhesives

This guide is about denture adhesives but not everyone can or wants to use a fixative. Some people find it too much of a hassle to use an adhesive on a daily basis so what are the alternatives?

There are several options which include:

• Denture relining
• Denture rebasing
• Dental implant

Each of these has their advantages and disadvantages. Every denture wearer has differing needs so what suits one person may not suit another.

Speak to your dentist if you are experiencing loose dentures or find your dentures uncomfortable to wear. He or she will check their condition and make an adjustment if necessary.

Denture relining

Dentists recommend a denture reline every two years as the shape of your gums changes during that time. As you age your gums become less elastic and start to shrink which means that they fit less well than before. Plus dentures can become damaged over time, e.g. develop a small crack which also affects their fit.

One solution to this is to have your dentures relined. This is a process in which acrylic resin is used to reshape inside the plastic base of the denture. This allows them to fit securely within your mouth.

This process does not alter the dentures in any way. The only difference is that that of an improved fit and greater comfort. Plus they will last for much longer.

There are two types of relining material: hard reliners and soft reliners. Hard reliners are as their name says: they are robust and durable and used by people who have healthy teeth and gums.

Soft reliners are made from a soft, flexile material, such as wax, which lasts for only a short period of time i.e. several months. A soft relined denture will need replacing on a regular basis. This material is ideally suited to people who suffer from problems caused by ill-fitting dentures.

Denture rebasing

This is similar to relining but with one difference: the entire plate is replaced as compared to a reline which involves the replacement of a small section of the denture plate.

There is no change to the false teeth “as long as they remain in tip top condition.

The rebasing procedure takes longer than a denture reline.

Dental implant

This is becoming an increasingly popular solution to the problem of loose dentures. A dental implant helps to secure a loose denture in place and removes the fear and anxiety associated with poorly fitting dentures.

A dental implant is a small, titanium rod which is inserted into the jawbone. This rod is the left for a period of several months so that it becomes assimilated into the jawbone in a process known as ‘osseointegration’.

Once this occurs the implant is then ready to receive a false tooth or crown.

This is a popular choice but it is expensive. Factor in the cost when deciding whether to have an implant as there are cheaper ways of securing a loose denture such as a denture adhesive.