My husband absolutely refuses to wear his dentures. Every time I bring it up he says they’re uncomfortable and he can’t stand eating with them. We’ve gone back to the dentist several times to have them adjusted, but it never seems to help. When we last went out to eat, he actually put his dentures on the stinking table! I couldn’t believe it. Help me get him to wear them. He’s only had them a few months. How long does it normally take to adapt to them?
Also Read – Which Dental Sedation Should I Choose?
Melissa
Dear Melissa,
Truthfully, while some people adjust to dentures, others never do. Your husband may be in that category. Even the best fitting dentures will reduce your chewing capacity by 50%, so your husband’s frustration is valid.
Dentures have many limitations and don’t always feel comfortable. They also have a devastating side effect which I hope your dentist warned him about known as facial collapse.
With dentures, your jawbone slowly begins to shrink because your body knows there are no longer any teeth roots there and will redistribute the minerals in his jawbone elsewhere in his body. Eventually, he won’t have enough jawbone left to retain his dentures.
Also Read – Dentist Perforated My Sinus and Didn’t Tell Me
The Solution to Denture Disasters
I do understand your frustration as well. It sounds like your husband will be a good candidate for implant overdentures. With this procedure, an implant will place four to six dental implants into his jawbone and then anchor a denture to them.
This has several benefits:
- He’ll be able to eat normally again: Dental implants are like having healthy natural teeth. He can even eat steak if he wants to.
- They’re completely stable: Because his dentures are anchored to implants they will not move. Not even he can take them out (a benefit to you!).
- They prevent facial collapse: With the implants in his jawbone serving as the roots of his teeth, his body will leave the minerals in his jaw intact, thereby preserving his bone.
Talk to a good implant dentist in your area and get him started. It will change both your lives.
Also Read – How Much Do Dental Implants Cost in the USA? (2026 Guide)
This blog is brought to you by La Crescenta Implant Dentist Dr. Robert Thein.