My Dentures Are Too Thick | European Denture Center

Denture Concerns: “My Dentures Are Too Thick”

Published On: January 14th, 20255 min readViews: 742

By Hilarie Galloway, DMD

Introduction to Wearing Dentures

Dentures can feel too thick for any number of reasons. Dentures often feel bulky when the fit is poor, if there are issues with material or design of the denture, or when jawbone shrinkage has occurred. When a denture is truly too thick it can cause problems for the patient, including difficulty with function, unappealing esthetics and sore gums. There are solutions available to fix dentures that are too bulky, almost all of which start with a trip to your dentist or denturist.

Understanding Thick Dentures

There are several factors that can cause dentures to feel too thick or bulky. In general, new dentures often feel too big simply because they require more material than natural teeth. This can be normal as acrylic must cover the gums to support teeth and prevent denture slipping. Often it simply takes time to get used to new dentures – the impression of denture size improves over the course of days or months, as this adjustment period allows the appliance to contour to the mouth. However, there are also cases where excess material can be adjusted by a dentist or denturist to make the denture fit more comfortably. Another variable is the bone which supports a denture – over time, it is normal for bone to shrink back in edentulous patients. This can cause a denture to feel too big and may require a reline or new denture to improve the fit. There are also multiple materials that can be used for dentures – partial dentures in particular can be made from metal, acrylic or a flexible resin material. Different materials require varying minimal thicknesses for dentures and dentures can be designed differently depending on the material.

Poorly Fitting Dentures

Poorly fitting dentures often feel too thick and bulky. In some cases, dentures are made with too much material in certain places which can be adjusted by a dentist or denturist to improve fit and comfort.

Changes in Jawbone Density

In other situations, dentures begin to fit more poorly over time due to bone shrinkage which commonly occurs in people missing teeth. As the bone shrinks away, dentures feel very large and thick as they no longer have the bony support they once had. Therefore, tooth decay and false teeth can cause issues with complete dentures and partial dentures.

Material Issues

Dentures can be made from different materials – depending on the material used, thickness and denture design requirements vary. Certain materials also may not work for individual patients due to allergies or other intolerances. A dry mouth may contribute to material issues and feelings of denture discomfort as well. Individual oral health concerns or sensitivities may dictate material use.

Problems With Thick Dentures

Thick dentures can cause a multitude of problems for the wearer. When dentures feel too thick, they are not comfortable and can cause difficulty speaking and eating. This can have social ramifications as patients are more likely to be self-conscious and uncomfortable socially when they aren’t confident in the fit of their teeth. Ill-fitting or bulky dentures can also cause sore spots and gum irritation which can further functional problems.

Fixing Thick and Bulky Dentures

While thick dentures can create numerous problems, there are also multiple strategies available to provide a permanent solution. The first step to a solution is to contact a denturist or dentist for help. They will be able to evaluate the issues you’re having to determine the root cause of your discomfort. They may simply need to adjust the existing material to improve fit and decrease the thickness in strategic locations, such as the denture base.

It is also possible that the best solution will involve relining services – this is when a new base material is added to the internal structure of the denture to improve fit when bone/jaw shrinkage has created space between the denture and underlying support tissues. There are different types of denture relines and the material used may be hard (like a traditional denture), which lasts longer, or soft (like a gel-type material), which requires regular replacement to ensure the correct denture fit.

The best material to use is case-dependent and your dentist/denturist will be able to help you decide. Finally, the solution to an uncomfortable, thick denture may be having a new denture made. This denture may use different materials or designs than your previous model to help improve contours, or it may simply be time for a new and improved fitting denture with the same materials as your prior device. Again, a good dental professional can help you with these oral health decisions.

Practical Tips for Denture Comfort

If you are having discomfort related to a denture that feels too thick, the first step is to contact a dentist/denturist for specialized help. There are a few things you can do on your own while you wait for your appointment. Ensuring you are cleaning your denture and your mouth daily is critical to denture success. Dirty dentures can build up plaque and debris, causing gum sores and increasing the sensation that a denture is ill-fitting.

Denture adhesive can also help in the short-term if you have had significant bone shrinkage and your dentures aren’t fitting tightly, though a reline would be a more long-term fix. Finally, if denture retention is a problem and your denture is feeling loose/bulky, an implant-overdenture could be a great solution. These dental implants or overdentures are dentures that are supported by a few (typically 2-4) strategically placed implant anchors for improved support and retention.

European Denture Center Reline Services

European Denture Center provides emergency reline and repair services to help with ill-fitting dentures. In many cases, a simple reline can improve fit and reduce the feeling of an overly bulky denture. European Denture Center can help troubleshoot and address any denture problems you may have, from a simple adjustment or repair, to the fabrication of a new denture (even one with implants to keep it in place). For more information on European Denture Center’s convenient locations, check out https://eurodenture.com/.

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