Floating Dentures? Discover Their Causes and Solutions

Dentures are one of the most common treatment options for people who have lost most or all of their teeth, with more than 41 million people using them in the United States. Yet dentures can also create issues, including the phenomenon of floating dentures. What causes floating dentures, and what solutions are available?

What Causes Floating Dentures?

Traditional dentures are not attached to your jaw but sit on your gums, which can cause them to shift as you eat or talk. Even adhesives might not do the trick. 

Floating dentures can occur if there is a change in your gums, which happens if you begin experiencing jawbone loss. It is particularly common to notice this issue with lower dentures. Your jawbone relies on your teeth to stimulate it, creating bone cells that replace those that die. If you have missing teeth, the jawbone is not getting the necessary stimulation, and bone loss can begin. 

When you lose bone, the gums recede, and your dentures no longer fit correctly, leading to floating dentures. 

Damage to the dentures can also be a cause. Damage can occur if you:

• Use too much force on the dentures
• Wear the dentures to sleep
• Don’t provide proper denture care

Everyday wear and tear can also damage the dentures, making them looser. 

Floating dentures are not just uncomfortable. They can cause damage, too. They can rub against your gums and create sores that can lead to oral infections. 

Dentures that move about also make eating difficult because you will not have much force behind the bite. They do not look natural, either, which can make you hesitate to speak in public or even smile. 

Loose dentures can also put uneven pressure on your jaw, causing even more bone loss and leading to looser devices. 

Solutions for Floating Dentures

If you want to stop dealing with the problems that traditional dentures cause, including floating dentures, you can opt for implant-retained dentures. 

These rely on dental implants, which are titanium posts that function like a tooth’s root,  to keep the device in place and stable. 

The implants not only allow you to snap the dentures into place, but they also provide the stimulation that your jawbone needs to prevent bone loss. Dr. Harvey Chin offers mini dental implants because the installation procedure is faster and less invasive. 

You also have the option of permanent dentures. These also use dental implants to keep the device from moving, but they are not removable. It can be a good option if you do not want to worry about taking the devices off at night. 

To decide on the best type of denture that uses implants to prevent it from moving, you want to turn to professionals for recommendations. 

Ask Us About Quality Dentures

There is no need for you to struggle with clunky traditional dentures that move about and can make a conversation or a meal a complicated affair. By choosing implant-retained dentures, permanent dentures, or similar options, you can get perfectly-fitting devices that are durable and look natural. 

Contact Dr. Harvey Chin at Vegas Dental Experts today to schedule a free consultation.