Today’s modern dentures in Winnipeg are a durable and natural-looking solution for partial or complete tooth loss, but even the best quality and well-maintained dentures won’t last forever. While every situation is different, dentures typically need to be replaced every five to 10 years. That can vary depending on the type of denture you wear, for example. Full dentures can last for five to 10 years, while partial dentures typically last no longer than 15 years.
Why do dentures need to be replaced?
Your mouth is a very dynamic place. Dentures are exposed to constant pressure and forces while you eat, bite and chew. You’ll also take your dentures out of your mouth at least once a day to clean and soak them overnight. More often than you might like to admit, those dentures will get dropped — sometimes onto hard surfaces like floors and into sinks where they can be damaged. Even your best efforts to keep your dentures clean can cause damage over time if you use unnecessarily harsh and aggressive cleaners or excessively hot water that can twist and distort dentures and how they fit.
Apart from the dentures themselves, changes in your mouth can mean that dentures need to be adjusted or replaced. Over time, the shape and size of your gums and jaw change while living with missing natural teeth and teeth roots. As time passes, even dentures that are well-maintained and protected from damage will fit less and less effectively as the shape and size of your gums and jaw change.
People who wear dentures still need to see their dentist, especially if they still have some natural teeth. At every regular dental checkup, your dentist will examine your gums and dentures for any signs of a poor fit or damage. Your dentist will look for sores and irritation on your gums and ask you if you’ve noticed changes in the way your dentures fit or perform. If dentures are beginning to fit poorly but do not need to be replaced completely, the staff at a dental clinic in Winnipeg may recommend that they be relined or rebased.
Relining involves reshaping the underside (the surface that contacts your gums) of dentures that are still in physically good condition. Relining will make the dentures more comfortable to wear. Rebasing refers to the complete replacement of the material that comes into contact with your gums and that holds and supports the artificial teeth. Rebasing dentures will make them more stable and allow them to fit better and more securely.
When to have your dentures replaced
Broken or damaged dentures need to be replaced
If you have dropped or compressed your dentures, take them to a dentist near you to be examined — even if you can’t see any cracks or visible damage. Any damage — visible or otherwise — will undermine their strength, structural ability and may break down or fail completely while you’re eating, biting or chewing.
If your dentures are loose and unstable, they may need to be replaced
If your dentures feel newly loose or slippery or if you experience changes in the way you eat or speak, take your dentures to a dental clinic in Winnipeg. Changes to the shape of your gums and jaw may mean the dentures need to be relined, rebased or even replaced. Wearing dentures that need to be relined, rebased or replaced will cause soreness and pain that can be avoided with replacement or repair. If you’ve waited too long and are already experiencing pain while chewing or sores on your gums, have your dentures examined right away.
Take a look at the material of your dentures
After wearing your dentures for three or five years, examine them carefully while cleaning them. Over time, the material your dentures are made of may start to break down. Signs that the material is breaking down include changes to colour, the appearance of cracks or chips, and a new sensation sponginess.
Wearing dentures near you can be an effective solution for tooth loss, but can also be a source of pain and aggravation if they’re damaged or not fitting properly. To ensure your dentures fit and work properly, have them examined by a dentist regularly, and have them relined, rebased, repaired or replaced whenever recommended.