Relieve Irritation With Soft Denture Liners
A soft denture liner is placed in the part of a denture base that contacts tissues. This provides comfort for those persons experiencing considerable pain while wearing a denture that has a hard plastic interface (the inside of the denture).
These individuals may have a low threshold for pain, and/or the gum tissue that overlays jawbone is usually thinner than normal and does not resist pressure well. When such tissue is compressed between hard jawbone and hard denture plastic, pain is easily elicited. Replacing one of these hard interfaces with a soft denture liner helps eliminate or reduce this painful tissue compression.
Some Characteristics of Soft Denture Liners
Denture liners are usually fabricated from special medical grade rubber or silicone-type compounds. The silicone materials are generally more compressible and, consequently, softer.
In order for these materials to function adequately, they must be reasonably thick. Therefore, the amount of plastic that needs to be removed from the inside of a denture to allow room for these liners may weaken some
dentures. In those cases, it becomes necessary to incorporate a reinforcing metal framework within the body of certain dentures. There are several steps involved in installing a soft denture liner, such as impressions and various laboratory procedures.
Soft denture liners tend to continually harden, though a patient may not be aware of this happening because the process is gradual. However, they eventually will begin to have increasing problems until a new soft denture liner is placed.
Denture liners are porous in nature, which accounts for why they are soft. However, this porosity contributes to their deterioration and collection of microorganisms.
If a soft denture liner becomes contaminated with disease-causing microorganisms (a fungus for example), it may not be possible to decontaminate the denture without having to replace the denture liner.
Persons with dry mouth usually have difficulty wearing dentures due to pain and irritation caused by the hard denture surface rubbing against underlying tissues that are not lubricated with adequate saliva. While soft denture liners would appear to be ideal for such individuals, they are generally much more difficult to maintain. Because impaired saliva production allows a very significant collection of microorganisms to buildup in the mouth, this usually results in unacceptable contamination of porous soft denture liners unless meticulous oral hygiene is maintained.
While denture liners generally will last longer than a year, they should be replaced on an annual basis or sooner. The frequency of replacement depends on each situation and the patient's oral hygiene.
Advantages of Soft Denture Liners
- A gentle and kinder denture interface for those individuals with sensitive underlying tissues.
- The soft denture liner tends to compress and conform to a constantly changing jawbone surface. While this helps prevent pain from a moderately unbalanced bite resulting from jawbone shrinkage, it is not a long-term substitute for regular adjustments to balance a denture bite.
Disadvantages of Soft Denture Liners
- Soft denture liners continually deteriorate and collect microorganisms easily; therefore, they generally are replaced on an annual basis.
- Because soft denture liners help reduce pain from an uneven bite, patients may get a false sense of security, thinking their denture is adequately functioning while the bite continues to deteriorate. Routine dental check-ups are a necessity.
- Generally, soft tissue liners are more expensive than a conventional hard denture liner.
by Joseph J. Massad, D.D.S.
+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.
New Dentures: What to Expect from Complete Dentures
Complete dentures are less than perfect replacements for natural teeth. However, they have proven to be effective for countless individuals and can be comfortable to wear if a person has reasonable expectations and recognizes that there definitely will be an adaptation period.
It is important to understand that "showing off" with new complete dentures often ends in an unpleasant and embarrassing experience. One must first practice with their new prosthesis and learn what limitations and compensations need to be considered.
The old adage of "learn to walk before you run" certainly applies to the successful, secure and comfortable wearing of complete dentures.
Some Factors to Consider When Wearing New Complete Dentures
This is not an exhaustive review of new complete dentures learning considerations. However, these are common areas of concern. If a person has a unique question or problem, they should always contact their dentist or prosthodontist for advice and direction.
Full feeling:
When new complete dentures are first placed in the mouth, they frequently feel fuller, and it may not seem like there is enough room for the tongue. When a person has been without teeth for a period of time, the inside of the cheeks and tongue can become slightly thicker or feel fuller. When new complete
dentures are first inserted, this slight fullness may feel enormous. It actually is not, and the full feeling will usually go away very shortly if an individual does not dwell on the sensation.
Previously unsupported sunken facial structures and muscles usually will be supported with new complete dentures to a normal position. These facial tissues adapt rapidly to their regained normal positioning and will feel less strained and more flexible. A more youthful appearance results in many cases.
Phonetic difficulty:
When a person is used to producing speech sounds without teeth or with old complete dentures that no longer preserves proper jaw relationships, they generally have adapted their speech in such a way as to accommodate these abnormal conditions. However, when correct jaw relationships and contours are established again with new complete dentures, there may be some difficulty producing certain speech sounds clearly, and teeth might even click together in some instances. This is temporary.
If an individual makes an effort to speak slowly and clearly, pronouncing words very precisely, the tongue and other muscles will adapt quickly to produce clear speech. It is often useful to read a book or newspaper out loud, carefully pronouncing each word precisely.
Sore spots and irritations:
These may develop as new complete dentures settle in. This may require some adjustment to the body of the complete dentures, and, more often, careful adjustment of the bite resolves these types of problems.
At times, the jaws may feel tired and soreness can develop. Taking complete dentures out to rest the mouth for a time frequently helps resolve these problems.
Chewing patterns:
Chewing patterns will need to be developed over several weeks, starting by chewing with small pieces of soft food and gradually increasing the firmness over several weeks. Generally, food should be chewed on both sides of the mouth at the same time.
Front teeth are considered primarily for esthetics and speech and to a lesser degree for function. Food is not bitten off with the front teeth efficiently; rather, the bolus of food should be held by the complete dentures, near the corners of the mouth, and torn off by rotating the hand holding food in a downward motion. This will increase chewing efficiency and reduce irregular denture rocking.
A complete dentures patient needs to take control and keep a positive attitude for optimal results.
by Joseph J. Massad, D.D.S.
+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.