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Originally Posted by mylindy having difficulty adjusting to new dentures. first, i am having an extreme gag reflex, and now i am having pain radiating from my ja w to my ear whenever they are in. what can i do to help adjust to my new dentures? |
The gag reflex is more than likely due to an overextended palate on the upper denture. What I mean is that the denture simply goes too far back. The back edge of the upper denture should not extend past the
hard palate. Take your thumb and place it into the roof of your mouth. Now slowly move it back towards your throat. You should notice that at some point you feel a drop off. This is the
junction of the hard and soft palate. The junction is like a hinge or a flap. The hard palate does not move. The soft plate behind the hard palate does move... sort of up and down. If the denture is extended past that line, onto the soft palate, even just a tiny bit, you have problems. The denture should be trimmed across the back so that it stays on the hard palate only.
As far as the joint pain, my bet is that the "bite" is not right. Without getting technical, the teeth likely hit too soon. Either that, or they hit too late. It is very important that the teeth hit evenly, both sides at the same time. And, they should hit at the right time. With the dentures in your mouth, in a relaxed position, say, staring out the window, there should be a little space between all of the teeth. Call that "freeway" space.
Now, swallow. When you swallow, the teeth will automatically come together. At the same spot, everytime. That place must be very comfortable to you... Like home base. Even contact all the way around and no having to shift around to get there...
Both errors are common, but they are unacceptable. Insist that the person who made the dentures for you either make the proper adjustments, remake the dentures or give you back your money so that you can find someone that knows what they are doing.
Just my opinion... and it is not humble.
BRUCE
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