What is bone resorption, and how does it affect your dentures?
This is the process behind why dentures gradually loosen over time - here's what's actually happening.
Bone resorption is the gradual loss of jawbone that happens in the areas where teeth have been lost. It's a natural, well-understood process - not something specific to any one patient - but it has a real, practical effect on how your denture fits over time.
Why it happens
Your jawbone stays dense partly because it's stimulated by the roots of your natural teeth. Once teeth are missing, that stimulation stops in that area, and the bone gradually reduces in height and width. This process continues for as long as teeth are missing - it doesn't stop once you have a denture.
What it means for your denture
As the bone and gum shape change, a denture that once fit snugly gradually has less to sit against, which is the main reason dentures loosen over time and periodically need a reline. This is completely normal and doesn't mean anything went wrong with your original denture.
Implants and bone loss
One genuine advantage of implant-retained dentures is that the implants themselves help slow this process in the area where they're placed, because they provide a similar kind of stimulation to a natural tooth root. This is one of the reasons some patients consider implants beyond just stability.
Managing it
Regular check-ups let Paul monitor how your bone and gum shape are changing and address it with a reline before it becomes uncomfortable. There's no way to stop the process entirely with a conventional denture, but staying on top of it keeps your fit comfortable.
FAQS
Common questions
Does bone loss affect whether I can get implant dentures?+
Some degree of bone loss is common in long-term denture wearers and doesn't necessarily rule out implants. The referring oral surgeon or implant dentist assesses your bone volume and density to determine suitability.
Can bone resorption be stopped?+
Implants can help slow bone loss in the area where they're placed, but a conventional denture doesn't stop the process. Regular check-ups and relines keep your fit comfortable as your bone shape changes.
Why does my denture feel looser every year?+
This is usually bone resorption - your jawbone and gums gradually reshape over time, which is why relines are a normal, expected part of denture wear.
Denture feeling less secure than it used to?
Call Paul's clinic in Surrey Downs - a reline is often a quick, effective fix.