Both natural teeth and dentures are subject to wear and tear over time. It is therefore normal to have to change your dentures after a certain period to maintain good dental health. So how do you know when it’s time to replace your dentures? Here are some reasons and insights to help you determine when you should take action.

The signs

When a patient comes to me for a denture evaluation, I look at several things. First, I check for instability at the base of the denture. I also look at the wear of the denture, since sometimes the patient is not even aware of it. I also look to see if there are any other abnormal conditions with the prosthesis. Sometimes the patient doesn’t even realize that their teeth are worn out, because they have had their dentures for so long that they have forgotten what it feels like to have new teeth! So, with this information in hand, when is it time to opt for a new denture?

Avoiding long-term problems

First, if you lack support, your jaw will deteriorate more quickly, causing your chin to move forward. This can lead to serious TMJ problems. Secondly, you will have more and more visible wrinkles on your face which usually does not please the patients. Another important factor to consider is that the longer you keep your old denture and get used to it, the harder it will be to change later. There are many other reasons for making the switch that can be discussed with a professional, but this information gives you a start. If you still have no idea when it is time to change your dentures, I will say it is usually between 5 and 8 years. After that time, most dentures become harmful to patients. I often see patients who have an upper denture that is more than 10 years old who say they are comfortable with it. However, such a long period of time can create long-term problems, which is something we want to avoid.

I understand that many people are afraid of change and postpone it. I am not talking about making radical changes if it is not necessary, but rather to opt for something similar to what you already have in order to stabilize everything and optimize your condition. As the saying goes, prevention is better than treatment!