Dentures Archives - Dr. Duane Delaune's Blog

Why Does My Upper Denture Make Me Gag?

Posted on January 31, 2025 by AllSmiles.

Why does my upper denture make me gag so much? I only wear it when I eat or must leave home because I can’t stop gagging. Do I need another denture? Thanks. Janet from KS

Janet,

After an exam, a skilled cosmetic dentist can determine whether you need a new or modified denture.

What Causes Gagging While Wearing a Denture?

Two upper dentures placed vertically with a shorter palate on the lower denutre

The lower denture has a shorter palate

Removable dentures cover your entire palate to create suction and keep the denture in place. Ideally, a removable denture should extend to the “vibrating line” where the hard and soft palates meet. However, if the denture extends too far back on your soft palate, it can trigger gagging.

What Can Prevent Denture Gagging?

An implant denture is the most effective solution for eliminating gagging with dentures because it only covers the gum tissue, minimizing gagging.

If implant-supported dentures are not within your budget, an implant dentist can discuss alternatives to address the gagging issue. Creating a slightly shorter denture palate can minimize gagging.

Dr. Finlay Sutton, a prosthodontist in Lancashire, England, has published a technique for managing severe gagging in denture patients. His method involves trimming the denture base to a location short of the vibrating line, as illustrated in his published photographs of dentures on plaster casts.

The upper image shows a denture extending to the vibrating line, while the lower image depicts a trimmed denture for gag-sensitive patients. Precise trimming is crucial, as excessive or incorrect reduction can compromise suction and retention.

Consult a skilled cosmetic dentist to discuss your options.

Is There a Denture That Won’t Rub the Roof of My Mouth?

Posted on August 22, 2024 by AllSmiles.

I’ve worn dentures for seven years, but I can’t get used to the way the upper denture feels in the roof of my mouth. It’s so irritating that lately, I’ve only worn dentures when I’m away from home. Are there soft dentures or dentures with a soft palate that don’t rub the roof of my mouth or make eating uncomfortable? I try to think positively and be happy that I’m at least able to chew food thanks to dentures, but daily function is so comfortable. Thanks for your help. Avis from CT

Avis,

Soft dentures, or soft-lined dentures, are designed to provide increased comfort for patients with sensitive or sore gums. The soft lining helps to cushion the denture against bony ridges or other irregularities in the jaw. While they offer improved comfort, soft dentures generally have a shorter lifespan, are more expensive, and require more diligent cleaning.

Soft dentures typically retain a hard surface over the roof of the mouth for stability and proper function. Fully pliable dentures are unlikely to provide necessary support and comfort.

Upper implant denture

Patients seeking a more natural and long-lasting solution should consider implant-supported dentures.

Dental implants support a denture, eliminating the need for a traditional denture base that covers the roof of the mouth. Implant-supported dentures offer several advantages, including:

Improved chewing efficiency: They restore natural chewing function.
Enhanced comfort: They feel more like natural teeth.
Prevention of facial collapse: Unlike traditional dentures, they help to maintain facial structure.

Although implant-supported dentures are more expensive than traditional dentures, they offer improved comfort, function, and aesthetics. If you’re considering removable dentures or implant dentures, consult an experienced cosmetic dentist to discuss your options.

Dr. Duane Delaune of Metairie, Louisiana, sponsors this post. Read why Dr. Delaune’s patients consider him one of the best dentists in town.

Can I Get a Refund and Implant If My New Partial Denture Keeps Breaking?

Posted on May 15, 2024 by AllSmiles.

Can I get a refund and dental implant if my new partial denture keeps breaking? After a failed root canal, my dentist agreed to give me a partial denture. I asked my dentist to remove the tooth before the root canal failed, but he wouldn’t listen. The partial denture is uncomfortable and defective. It broke twice, but my dentist wants to charge me for the root canal and the partial. I regret using this dentist, but I want a refund before I switch. How should I handle this? Thanks. Shaunda

Shaunda,

We recommend talking to your dentist about his treatment recommendations and your disappointment. Although root canal treatment from any dentist can fail, your dentist failed to give you a functional partial denture.

Dental implant

You have these options to help resolve the issue.

Contact your insurance company (if applicable) – Tell your dentist you will report the issue to the dental insurance company and follow through. Your insurance company wants to know if they paid for a faulty partial denture.
Report the issue to your state dental board – The state dental board will investigate the issue, although may not penalize your dentist.
Leave negative online reviews – Dentists know that patients read online reviews before choosing their practice. Tell your dentist you will leave a negative online review.

Finding a Dentist for Implants

Look for a dentist with post-graduate training in dental implants and restoring them with dental crowns. Some dentists prefer to restore implants only and refer patients to an oral surgeon or periodontist for implant surgery, which is fine. A dentist skilled in aesthetics can perfectly match your implant crown with your surrounding teeth. Schedule consultations with two implant dentists to discuss your treatment options.

Dr. Duane Delaune of Metairie, Louisiana, sponsors this post. Read why Dr. Delaune’s patients consider him one of the best dentists in town.

My New Dentures Still Affect My Speech After Four Months

Posted on July 21, 2022 by AllSmiles.

I have new dentures (upper and lower), and after four months, I still can’t speak correctly. It feels like the teeth are in the way, and it sounds like I have a speech impediment. I am not retired yet, and I speak to clients daily. Unfortunately, I must repeat my words throughout the day to many clients. It is frustrating.

My dentist says the speech issue is a normal part of the adjustment period and I will adjust. I’ve had the dentures since early March. Am I still within the adjustment period, or is something wrong with the dentures? – Curtis from Knoxville, TN

Curtis,

Thank you for your question.

How Long Do Dentures Affect Your Speech?

When you get new dentures, they affect your speech for several weeks. It takes time to adjust to eating and speaking with dentures. Speaking slowly can help you adjust, but your speech should gradually improve. If you have had your dentures since March, your comfort in speaking with them should have improved if they fit correctly.

Improving Your Speech with Dentures

If you continue to have difficulty eating or speaking with dentures, it is possible that your dentist made mistakes when taking impressions of your mouth or took shortcuts in fitting your dentures. The placement of the denture teeth can also affect your speech. If your dentures affect your speech for months, your dentist must examine them to identify the cause.

Soft liners can make the dentures fit more comfortably and make it easier to speak. We suggest allowing your dentist to refit your dentures. If your dentist cannot correct them, schedule an appointment with a skilled cosmetic dentist.

Stabilizing Your Dentures with Implants

At least two dental implants per denture will help them fit better. A cosmetic dentist can explain how dental implants can stabilize your dentures and help them feel more like natural teeth. Implants improve denture function and your quality of life.

Dr. Duane Delaune, a Metairie, Louisiana cosmetic dentist, sponsors this post.

I Can’t Keep My Denture In Any Longer

Posted on April 6, 2020 by writeradmin.

I have had dentures for over twenty years. Several years ago, they started becoming tricky to keep in. Now they are not staying in at all. What do I do?

Cary

Dear Cary,

The Results of Facial Collapse

When your teeth are removed, your body recognized that. Its job is to be as efficient as possible with your body’s resources. Because of that, once you no longer have any tooth roots, your body interprets that as no longer needing a jawbone to keep those roots in place. As a result, it will resorb the minerals in your jawbone to use elsewhere in your body. This has the result of slowly shrinking your jawbone. Hopefully, your dentist warned you about this before you decided on dentures instead of your other options.

Where you are in this process is known as facial collapse. You now no longer have enough jawbone left to retain your dentures. Unfortunately, just getting new dentures won’t help. You are going to have to have some bone grafting done to build that back up. Once that happens, you have two choices.

Your first choice is to get dentures again. Just bear in mind that you are going to go back through the cycle of losing your jawbone again. Your second choice is to get implant-supported dentures.

How Implant Supported Dentures Prevent Facial Collapse

Implant overdentures work by having four to six dental implants in your jaw and then anchor your dentures to the implants. Having the implants in your jaw serves as prosthetic roots. Your body interprets that as having teeth and leaves your jaw intact.

Not only that, you will find all the problems you had with removable dentures disappear. There is no more slipping. Additionally, you will find your chewing capacity goes up significantly. This is because even your best fitting dentures will reduce your chewing capacity by at least 50%. You’ll be so excited to be able to eat whatever you want again.

This blog is brought to you by New Orleans Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Duane Delaune.