How does the total denture hold in the lower jaw?
At first sight it seems a bit puzzling how a total prosthesis can hold at all, because after all there are no teeth left to attach it to. Nevertheless it is possible to talk and eat with it without it falling out. There are three important factors for this.
This could also be interesting for you if the prosthesis does not hold well anymore: Lining the denture
- The first factor is based on occlusal stabilization.This means that the row of teeth from the upper jaw, whether normal teeth or also a total prosthesis, have contact with the teeth in the lower jaw when the mouth is closed and sometimes also during movements. Thus a static stabilization is ensured.
- The second factor is the integration of the total prosthesis into the surrounding soft tissue. The prosthesis is made in such a way that it fits perfectly on the jaw ridge and is covered on the sides by muscle and cheeks.
This is also called muscle grip. For example, the posterior areas of the prosthesis are made convex and the anterior area concave to allow the tissue and muscles to snuggle up. This is the primary hold in the lower jaw.
- The third factor is based on a valve mechanism.
There are air bubbles between the prosthesis to be applied (prosthesis base) and the tissue underneath (prosthesis bearing). These are expressed when the prosthesis is fitted. If the edges of the prosthesis are optimally designed, the air cannot return, so that a negative pressure is created and the prosthesis becomes stuck.
Due to the very narrow lower jaw bones and the constant movement of the soft tissue present there (mucous membrane and muscles), problems with the fit of the prosthesis occur mainly in the lower jaw.
First of all the dentist should clarify why the prosthesis does not hold sufficiently. For this purpose changes of the lower jaw bone or a change of the bite conditions can be considered. These lead to a reduction of the suction effect between the denture base and the oral mucosa, which is created by the saliva in between.
If this effect decreases, the hold of the prosthesis is reduced. In addition to relining the prosthesis, the use of adhesive agents such as prosthesis adhesive creams, adhesive powder, etc. can improve the wearing situation.
Also the installation of additional anchoring elements such as an implant or a snap fastener can improve the fit of the prosthesis in the lower jaw. The relining is one way to improve the hold and fit of a prosthesis. With the help of specific plastics, the poorly fitting prosthesis is adapted to the current jaw conditions.
The relining can be done in the form of a direct method by the dentist or in the form of an indirect method in the dental laboratory or dental technician laboratory. The snap-fastener prosthesis is a dental prosthesis in which a snap fastener, in the form of a ball anchor, acts as a stabilizing connecting element between the jaw and the prosthesis, whereby an implant is required as an anchor. A cap is anchored in the prosthesis, which can be placed precisely on the ball anchor and snaps into place in the form of a snap mechanism.
This procedure can improve the hold of the prosthesis. At the same time, the denture can be removed from the snap fastener every day and thoroughly cleaned, thus preventing the development of gingivitis. The aesthetics of a snap-fastener prosthesis is also positive, since the retaining elements are not visible.
The use of an adhesive cream is another possibility to improve the hold of a prosthesis. Nevertheless, it should only be used as an emergency solution, as it reduces the sense of taste on the one hand and the production of saliva on the other. Whether the adhesive is in the form of a cream or powder, the method of application remains the same: a thin layer is applied to the clean and dry denture base, then the denture is inserted and held in place with light pressure for a few seconds.
Adhesive is not a permanent solution and some patients have to repeat the application of the adhesive several times a day in order to have an adequate denture hold in the lower jaw. If the prosthesis only fits like this, a visit to the dentist is recommended. The dentist may be able to improve the fit and hold of the prosthesis in the long term by relining or reassembly.
