Why Are Dentures Thick

If your teeth are missing, then your dentist would suggest dentures as they are the most viable and cost-effective solutions for replacing missing teeth. Most of the dentures available these days are quite appealing to look at and comfortable in the fitting. They improve the functionality of an individual’s teeth by assisting in biting and chewing.

People usually prefer dentures with a thinner base as they are more convenient and do not hamper speech. But the stability and retentive properties of a denture come from its thickness. Dentures should be designed sufficiently thick because a few devices like acrylic denture base are flexible and rigid, depending on how thick the denture base is to provide strength and durability.

In this article, we will find out why dentures should have a minimum thickness and what is the optimum thickness of a denture.

Why Should Dentures Be So Thick?

There was a study done to investigate how different thicknesses of dentures influenced maxillary complete denture processing. It was found that with thin-based prostheses (around 1.25 mm thickness), there was more teeth movement compared to those with 3.75 mm thickness. A prosthesis that was made from silicone had more vertical changes than the ones made from gypsum. It was then concluded that complete dentures with a thin base of 1.25 mm and silicone material were not a stable option. The intermediate thickness of 2.5 mm was considered ideal for a denture base.

How Does The Design of Dentures Affect Our Teeth?

The design and structure of dentures must be made to fit our teeth like a hand and glove. If the dentures are ill-fitting, your other teeth may undergo some shifting resulting in biting difficulties, chewing issues, and sagging facial muscles. A badly fitted denture does not just affect our appearance, but it is also bad for our oral health.

What Are Some Of The Reasons For An Uncomfortable New Denture?

Dentures need some amount of adjusting on your part. Initially, you will feel awkward while speaking or eating, but dentures will start feeling like your own teeth with practice. But at times, there could be an issue with the denture, which your dental professionals should investigate. Some of the issues could be:

• The roof or palate of your denture could be too thick.
• The post dam area of the denture, which is the posterior area in the maxillary arch, could be too far off. Due to this, the denture might keep falling off as it is not snapping in place.
• The top teeth of the denture could either be too much towards the inside or too far down that they are in contact with and interfering with your tongue movement.

How Do I Know My Dentures Fit Perfectly?

Your top dentures are supposed to suction smoothly to your upper palate and gums. The lower dentures should float above your gums and stay in your mouth easily. If you have partial dentures, they should stay in line with your natural teeth, and there should not be any significant movement of the dentures.

If dentures do not fit properly or are too thick, it could be a reason for inconvenience and embarrassment. In such a scenario, you must contact your dentist for a solution who could either give you new dentures or reline your existing dentures.

Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!