My dentist replaced my eight-year-old denture with a new one. She is not the dentist who placed my first denture. She took the impression, did a wax bite, and completed two wax try-ins. I told my dentist that the denture felt loose. She told me not to worry about the fit, she just wanted to make sure I like the denture teeth. The denture teeth looked great, so I agreed.

My final denture is just as loose as the try-in. Now my dentist said I need time to adjust. But nothing has changed. She told me to use Fixodent, but the denture is still loose. She has ground down molar teeth on the denture, and it looks awful. She said that I may need a reline. Why would I need a reline on a new denture? Our plan was to get a good fit until I can afford implants for the dentures. I hope she is not trying to get me to agree to implants before I am ready. The try-in was loose, so should not she go back to that step? What should I ask her to do? – Thanks, Karl from MT

Karl,

Although your dentist skipped some steps for ensuring a snug fit when making your denture, a reline should help it fit.

Getting an Accurate Fit with Dentures

A dentist can give you secure fit with dentures with a two-step impression. Some dentists use a three-step impression.

The process:

• Take an alginate impression.
• Make a preliminary model of the jaw.
• Use the model to make a custom tray.
• Use a heavier impression material to measure the areas that will be the denture borders. A border that presses into the soft tissue will ensure a snug fit.
• Use a light-body material to fill the interior of the impression and register soft-tissue details.

Relining Your New Denture

When your dentist relines your new denture, she may use the custom tray for a more accurate impression. You can ask your dentist to use a two-step impression.

Your gums do not need to adjust to the denture, your dentist must include the necessary steps for the denture to fit correctly. Even though the wax try-in is an approximate fit and checks the position of your teeth, if your dentist gets the impressions right, your denture will fit better.

When you are ready for dental implants, your dentist may be able to adapt the denture base to attach to the implants. For people who want implants and new dentures, you can get temporary teeth on the same day you receive implants.

Dr. Gilberto Tostado of San Antonio, TX, sponsors this post.