How Much Denture Adhesive Should I Use?

I’ve worn dentures for 20 years, and it seems that I can’t keep my denture firmly in place for more than a few hours. How much adhesive should I use? Is it too late for dental implants? – Thank you. Monroe from St. Louis

Monroe,

Thank you for contacting Dr. Tostado’s office. People who have worn dentures for years share your concerns and ask the same questions.

How Much Denture Adhesive Should You Use?

Denture adhesives, such as Adhesadent Denture Adhesive Cream®  (American Dental Association approved), recommend applying three to five evenly spaced, pea-sized drops to a clean, dry denture. Additional advice to maximize effectiveness includes:

1. Avoid getting adhesive on denture edges.
2. Rinse your mouth with warm water to moisten your gums before inserting your denture.
3. Bite down gently but firmly for at least twenty seconds.
4. Avoid eating anything for 30 minutes.
5. Clean and reapply denture adhesive after every meal if you need to continue wearing your denture for the day.

Too little or too much denture paste can prevent your denture from staying in place. After a few tries, you will understand how much adhesive to use for your denture. Some people take pictures of their denture base with the adhesive on it to compare which amount works best.

Is It Too Late for Dental Implants?

After years of wearing dentures, it is not too late to get dental implants. Securing a denture with two to six implants is the end of poor-fitting dentures and adhesives. Whether your jawbone shrinkage is minimal or extensive, an implant dentist offers solutions to help you get an implant overdenture. After an examination and a 3-D CT scan, the dentist will explain your options.

Implant denture with bone grafting

Your jawbone is the foundation for dental implants. If you have significant bone shrinkage, your implant dentist may recommend a bone grafting procedure to build up the bone before you get implants. After the grafts heal, your dentist or an oral surgeon will place the implants and attach temporary teeth to them. The implants, not adhesive, will keep your denture in place.

All-on-4® dental implants

All-on-4 dental® implants, or Teeth-in-a-Day, use four dental implants to support a denture. Your dentist or surgeon will place the implants near the front of your jawbone with the two rear implants angled up to 45 degrees for more support and to minimize the need for bone grafting. Your implant dentist will attach temporary replacement teeth to the implants on the same day.

Schedule a consultation with an implant dentist to discuss your options for implant dentures and end your struggle with loose dentures and adhesives.

San Antonio prosthodontist and cosmetic dentist Dr. Gilberto Tostado sponsors this post.