A comfortable denture starts long before the fitting appointment. The impression, the way its edges are shaped and the amount of material used all affect how it sits in your mouth. Simon pays attention to these details during the making of a denture, with the aim of keeping later adjustments to a minimum.
That is an aim, rather than a promise that you will never need a review. Mouths vary, healing can change the fit, and follow-up appointments remain an important part of denture care.
Why can a denture rub or move?
Your lips, cheeks and tongue move when you smile, speak, sip a drink or eat. The borders of a denture need to work with those movements. An edge that extends too far into a moving area can press on soft tissue or be lifted as your mouth moves.
That is one possible explanation for discomfort or instability, not a diagnosis you can make from a website. The condition of the denture, your bite and changes in your mouth also need to be assessed.
Accurate impressions provide the starting point
An impression records information about your mouth for the clinical and laboratory stages. Simon considers how that information will be used when planning the fitting surface and the outline of the denture.
The choice and handling of impression materials are clinical decisions. You do not need to learn the technical names before a consultation. It is more useful to explain what happens with your current dentures and what you want to improve.
Comfort involves shape as well as fit
A denture can feel bulky if there is more material than is needed in a particular area. The thickness and contours must be considered alongside strength, support and the space available in your mouth.
Simply making every denture thinner or smaller would not be an appropriate answer. Some patients need additional support, and every design needs enough material for its purpose. Simon considers those choices for the individual patient.
The bite and tooth position matter too
How the teeth meet and where they are positioned can affect the way forces act on the denture during eating. These details are considered alongside appearance and the support offered by the denture base.
At a trial or fitting appointment, say if closing your teeth feels uneven, if the denture shifts, or if speaking or smiling feels awkward. Those observations help explain what needs checking.
What should you do if adjustments are needed?
- Describe where you feel pressure and when it occurs.
- Tell the clinic whether movement happens while eating, speaking or smiling.
- Bring the denture and any relevant fitting or repair history.
- Leave trimming, filing and other adjustments to your dental professional.
Contact Cotswold Denture Clinic if soreness or movement is stopping you wearing your dentures comfortably. Call 01285 429014 or arrange a consultation with Simon in Poulton, near Cirencester.
Read about having an existing denture adjusted or learn how a reline differs from an adjustment.
This guide provides general information. Simon and your dental team can advise on your own circumstances.
