TROUBLESHOOTING
UPPER AND LOWER DENTURE PROBLEMS

We see these denture issues on almost a daily basis.  As we’ve mentioned before, the making of well working dentures is fast becoming a lost art.  Hopefully this visual guide can help you consult with your denture provider to find the source of your denture problems and get them resolved.

We have tried to explain each issue in layman’s terms for ease of discussion with your denture provider.

What You May Hear If Your Dentures
Aren't Working Correctly For You

"YOU HAVE A VERY DIFFICULT MOUTH TO WORK WITH"

FIND ANOTHER PROVIDER

Not an excuse for a trained denture provider.

"IT IS THE LABORATORY'S FAULT"

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IMPRESSION INADEQUATE/ BITE WRONG

Who took the impressions? If it wasn't the dentist seek a new provider.

"YOU JUST HAVE TO USE ADESSIVE"

IMPRESSION WAS INCORRECT

Sublingual area was not properly established in the impression (lower denture).

COMMON UPPER DENTURES ISSUES

Pinching And Soreness Above And In Front Of Denture

Front "V" was cut incorrectly. Depth of "V" will vary person to person.

No Suction-Denture Falls Out

Sides in the rear should be flowing up (towards the roof of the mouth), not down.

Denture Is Always Loose

If upper denture is too short in the back, suction for the denture can not be created. Denture won't stay in place.

Common Upper And Lower Denture Issues

Sore Mouth/Trouble Eating And Chewing

Bite was taken incorrectly. Upper or lower needs to be corrected or possibly a whole new set of dentures. (Problem is exaggerated in photo)

Common Lower Denture Issues

Lower Denture Is Loose

Impression was taken incorrectly. Impression didn't duplicate anatomy. Ask for border-molded clinical reline.

Lower Denture Is Loose

No sublingual area to support denture. The sublingual area is what holds the denture in place. It can be easily missed if impression is not taken correctly. Ask for border-molded clinical reline.

Loose Denture/Denture Jumps Around

Impression taken incorrectly. Impression tray may have been short. Ask for border-molded clinical reline. Denture on left has correct retromolar pads (area that curves up behind last molar) and sublingual area. Denture on right is made incorrectly with flat retromolar area and short in the sublingual area.
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