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Question:
In December 1999 I had 15 teeth pulled and had immeadiate upper and lower temporary dentures installed. The dentist indicated that I needed temporary's because so many teeth were pulled that the gums needed time to heal before the permanent dentures were made/installed.
Almost one year later November 2000 (after Gums healed) a new permanent set of Upper/Lowers were made and installed. Then in February 2002 (15 Months) the new set of upper dentures cracked down the middle while I was eating Italian Bread. They were repaired and they cracked again two months later in April 2000.
I have never dropped these dentures. My dentist says the denture cracked because I lost weight or my gums changed shape. I thought the reason I got temporaries was to stop this problem from happening. Now my dentist wants to reline the upper denture and he claims this will solve the problem. My dentist claims he is not at fault and I must bear the cost of the repairs. Does this sound reasonable? ... William in NY
Answer:
William, removable dentures may become unbalance due to the changes in the underlying supportive tissues. Denture, after all, is a rigid piece of acrylic that would not change the shape in time; but the jaw bone and the soft tissues on top of it would. This could be the reason for the cracks.
The unbalanced contacts between upper and lower teeth can be responsible for cracks and fractures of the dentures too. Relining the denture in order to adjust for changes and/or balancing the contacts may reinstate the original stability and prevent the new cracks.
Usually, the professional care for a new denture(s) extends for six months after they are installed. This condition is nothing new in our everyday life when the problem develops with other things after "the warranty" has been expired.
Editorial Staff
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