The full denture: the toothless jaw

A full denture replaces all the teeth of one jaw. It rests on the alveolar ridge and holds by a suction effect created by a thin film of saliva between denture and mucosa.

Why the lower jaw is more difficult

In the upper jaw the large surface of the palate is available – plenty of suction area, good hold. In the lower jaw that surface does not exist, and the tongue moves the denture with every word. That is why a lower full denture almost never sits as firmly as the upper one.

What helps against it

Two implants in the lower jaw, on which the denture clips into place, change the feeling fundamentally – see implant denture. Adhesive cream is a help for a while, not a solution: if a denture constantly needs adhesive cream, it no longer fits.

The first weeks

Practise speaking, start with soft food, small bites, load both sides at the same time. Pressure sores are normal and are worked on afterwards – for that, wear the denture for a few hours before the appointment, otherwise the spot cannot be found.