My dentures are 3 years old. I thought they would last at least 5 years because I really take good care of them. In February of this year one of the bottom incisor teeth fell out of the denture. My dentist put it back in. In April, the same tooth fell out of the denture and again it was put back in place. I was on vacation in July and another bottom tooth fell off the denture. It was a molar tooth this time. Thank God I didn’t have to walk around during vacation with a front tooth missing. I just saved the tooth until I got back home because it wasn’t noticeable. That tooth was secured back to the denture, but when I cleaned the denture this morning I noticed that the same tooth is loose again. I should add that my dentist is very casual about this thing. It’s kind of like, ‘oh let me fix that for you’ without an explanation or apology for my inconvenience. I know it isn’t normal for denture teeth to fall out, so I am very curious as to why this might be happening and whether or not I should expect more of the same. Thanks for your help. Joan
Joan – You are correct—denture teeth should not fall out of the base. There are several things that can cause denture teeth to dislodge.
Poorly constructed denture – The base of the denture might be poorly made. If it’s not constructed properly, the teeth won’t stay in place.
Improper bonding – Denture teeth need to be securely bonded in place. Cheap bonding material or improper bonding technique can cause teeth to loosen. You’ve experienced problems with two denture teeth—one of which has fallen out twice. Faulty bonding might be the issue.
Improper bite – The way your denture teeth fit together affects the pressure on them. If your bite is off, increased pressure or tension can cause teeth to loosen and fall out.
It’s important not to try to repair your own denture or use glue that isn’t designed for oral appliances. The adhesive might damage your denture or be toxic in your mouth. We suggest that you schedule an appointment with a prosthodontist for a second opinion. A prosthodontist is a specialist in tooth replacement. He or she will check the construction of your denture to identify the problem and let you know your options.
This post is sponsored by Naperville board-certified prosthodontist Dr. Anthony LaVacca.
