Does anyone make soft dentures? It is more important for me on the upper denture. That hard plate is very uncomfortable and half the time I feel like I am choking.
Kelsey
Dear Kelsey,
I am sorry you are having trouble with your dentures. To be honest, there are quite a few miserable denture patients out there. To answer your question, while there is not a soft denture, there is a soft liner. However, this is mostly to help ease the pain from a bumpy lower ridge. It would not be much help to your situation.
The upper dentures generally have to have that firm plate in order to keep it secure for you to chew. As you can imagine (or maybe you do not have to imagine), those with a strong gag reflex find dentures miserable.
The best option you have is to switch from completely removable dentures to implant supported dentures. Not only will it take away the need for the upper plate altogether, but it will also protect you from the bone loss that will occur in your jawbone.
Without that, eventually, you will lose so much jawbone that you won’t be able to retain your dentures. This is known as facial collapse. Having dental implants placed in your lower jaw will preserve the jawbone.
This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentist Dr. Hillary Peck.