Loose Denture Treatment in Marylebone, London
A denture that lifts when you eat, clicks when you talk or needs adhesive to stay put is usually not a badly made denture. It is a denture resting on a ridge that has been shrinking underneath it for years.
- CBCT scan on site
- GDC-registered dentists
- Written plan before you commit
Denture reline or implants?
A reline adds new material to the fitting surface of your denture so it matches the shape your gums have shrunk to. It is quick, costs far less than implants and often makes a loose denture comfortable again. What it cannot do is stop the bone underneath from continuing to shrink, so the denture loosens again, and the Oral Health Foundation says dentures often need replacing every five to eight years to keep them fitting well.
Implants deal with the cause rather than the fit: an implant retained denture clips onto two or more implants, so it stops moving whatever the gum does. Many people try a reline first and consider implants when it stops being enough.
Sore gums from dentures
A denture that moves rubs, and the rubbing causes sore spots and ulcers, usually along the ridge or under the edges. A sore that does not heal within a couple of weeks should be seen by your dentist, whatever the cause. Adjusting or relining the denture often settles it.
Where the soreness keeps coming back because the ridge has shrunk, stopping the movement is the lasting fix, which is what implants under the denture do. The jaw bone loss page explains why the ridge shrinks.
What you're seeing
Loose dentures: why a denture stops fitting
A full denture stays in place by suction, by the shape of the ridge it sits on, and by the muscles around it. That works while the ridge has enough height and width to grip. The difficulty is that the ridge keeps shrinking once the teeth are gone, because the bone is no longer being loaded through tooth roots, and a denture pressing on it does nothing to stop that.
So a denture that fitted well when it was made becomes progressively less stable. Lower dentures suffer most, because there is no palate to help hold them and the tongue works against them constantly. Relining can restore the fit for a while, and a new denture can improve it again, but neither addresses why the fit keeps deteriorating.
Implants change the mechanism rather than the fit. Two or more implants placed into the jaw give the denture something to clip onto, so it is held mechanically instead of by suction. You still take it out to clean it. What changes is that it stops lifting, adhesive becomes unnecessary, and on an upper denture the palate can often be left uncovered, which restores taste and the sensation of temperature. Where a fixed solution is preferred and the bone allows it, a full arch bridge is the alternative to consider.
Why it happens
What causes loose dentures
- Continued shrinkage of the alveolar ridge in the years after teeth are lost
- A lower jaw with a flat or narrow ridge, which offers a denture very little to grip
- A denture that has never been relined as the underlying ridge has changed shape
- Reduced saliva, often from medication, which weakens the suction a denture depends on
- Worn denture teeth that no longer meet evenly, so the denture is unseated as you chew
- Loss of muscle tone and altered facial support with age
Treatment approach
How are loose dentures treated in Marylebone?
Implant Retained Dentures
On enquiryThe direct answer to a denture that moves. Two or more implants let it clip into place, so retention no longer depends on suction, ridge shape or adhesive. Often the existing denture can be adapted.
See treatment detail →Implant Consultation
On enquiryWhere the assessment starts. The scan shows whether there is enough bone for implants and how many the jaw needs, and the existing denture is examined in your mouth to see whether it can be reused.
See treatment detail →Full Arch Implants
On enquiryFor anyone who would rather have teeth that never come out. A fixed bridge on four to six implants solves the movement and removes the plate entirely, at a higher cost and with more implants.
See treatment detail →Bone Grafting
On enquiryWhere the ridge has resorbed so far that implants cannot be placed securely, grafting rebuilds enough bone height or width for attachments to be supported.
See treatment detail →FAQ
Loose denture questions,
answered
Why has my denture become loose when it used to fit?
Almost always because the ridge underneath has continued to shrink. The bone was maintained by tooth roots and is no longer loaded, so it slowly loses height and width while the denture stays the same shape. This is why relines help temporarily but the looseness returns.
Would a new denture fix it?
A new or relined denture can restore the fit for a period, and on a reasonable ridge that may be enough. On a flat lower ridge it usually is not, because there is too little shape left to grip. If you have already been through this cycle, implants change the mechanism rather than the fit.
How many implants would I need to stop it moving?
Two is the usual minimum for a lower denture, which is where movement is worst. Upper dentures typically need four, particularly if you want the palate left uncovered. The final number comes from a CBCT scan of your ridge rather than from a standard package.
Can my current denture be used with implants?
Sometimes. A denture in good condition with an accurate fit can often be adapted to take the attachments, which reduces cost. A thin, worn or poorly fitting denture usually needs replacing, because cutting attachment housings into it weakens it. This is assessed with the denture in your mouth.
How long does it take to stop a denture moving with implants?
Placement is a single appointment and the attachments go in after the bone has fused, so several months from start to finish. In the meantime you keep wearing your denture, usually relined so it sits comfortably over the healing sites. Marylebone Dental Implants sets your timeline from the scan rather than from a typical case.
Related Concerns
Get Started
Request a dental implant assessment in Marylebone,
and UNTIL Health Concierge arranges it at Orchard Street.
Marylebone Dental Implants • UNTIL, 1 Orchard Street, London W1H 6HJ
Request an assessmentThe UNTIL Health Concierge team says it will be in touch within 24 hours of your enquiry.