My dentist is lying about why my new denture won’t stay in. I chose my dentist because he said he could give me a denture that fits well. I had all my upper teeth extracted seven years ago and got a denture that I didn’t like. I decided to find a new dentist to replace it, but I made the wrong choice.

My dentist took an impression, did a wax bite, and two wax try-ins. After the second wax try-in, I told my dentist that it was too loose. He replied that the try-in is about the teeth, not the fit. When I received the new denture, guess what? It was loose like the second wax try-in. I took a deep breath and told my dentist that it was unacceptable. He ignored me. He said that my gums need time to adjust, and he asked me to return in a week. Of course, nothing changed. I told him that the denture doesn’t stay in long enough for me to know if I like it.

Next lie. My dentist now says my bite was off. He ground on my denture a few times and kept checking my bite. It didn’t work. What’s next? Fixodent. Really? I could do that at home. I don’t know how I kept my calm, but my dentist told me to come back in another week. When I got home, I saw how rough he was with my denture. Now 3 of the molar teeth are almost flat. And did I overhear him say that I might need a reline? Another lie?

I’m convinced that my dentist is lying, that he knows he didn’t get the impression right, and he keeps making up lies instead of saying that he permanently messed up my denture. He doesn’t want to do a new denture for free. I’m no fool, and I’m not going for the Fixodent lie, the relining lie, or any other lie. I’m in $1300 deep and have a denture with almost-flat molar teeth. Pat M. from MS

Pat,

Although your dentist made many mistakes, the problem with your denture not staying in can probably be resolved with relining it.

Let us review your description of the events:

If you told us everything your dentist did to make your dentures, he skipped a couple of steps that he learned in dental school. Unfortunately, shortcuts are common. Some dentists cut costs by skipping steps. Usually, the result is a suitable denture. But your denture doesn’t fit well. And relining it can take care of that even if your dentist didn’t get the impression right.

Dental Impressions for Dentures

A two-step impression results in an accurate fit. Some dentists take a three-step impression:

• A preliminary impression with alginate
• A model of the jaw
• A custom tray made from the model

But the next steps are essential:

• Use a heavier impression material to register the borders of the denture and maximize suction
• Use a light-body material to fill the interior of the impression and register the details of the soft tissue

If a dentist shortens the step and uses a medium-body material, the dentist will save chair time and cost, and you’ll get a decent denture.

Your Denture Reline and Wax Try-In

• Your dentist will likely use your denture as a custom tray for a more accurate impression.
• You can ask him to use a two-step impression.
• Your gums don’t need to adjust to a new denture; your dentist needs to get the impression right.
• The purpose of the wax try-in is to check the position of the denture teeth and ensure you like your smile.

What If the Reline Doesn’t Work?

You might need a new denture. Think about your long-term oral health and budgeting so that you can get a few dental implants to secure your denture and prevent it from slipping around. Your dentist still needs to ensure your denture fits well—with or without implants. Speak with a skilled implant dentist about your options.

What About Your Shortened Molar Teeth?

That’s still an issue. Ask your dentist to check your bite after he relines your dentures. Don’t accept a bite that’s off. It can lead to jaw pain, neck pain, and headaches. Insist that your dentist gets it right.

Dr. Ryan Perry, a Baton Rouge family dentist, sponsors this post.