A safer denture adhesive

Most denture adhesives contain small amounts of zinc. A concern has developed that this zinc can be absorbed into the body and reach harmful levels in the bloodstream. You’re more at risk if you have a loose denture and slobber large amounts of adhesive into your denture rather than have the denture relined or remade.

Denture adhesives were not intended to be overused this way. For safety, I recommend that you use a small amount of adhesive if necessary, and regularly have the fit of your denture checked. If you have to use adhesive, use Super Poli-grip’s zinc-free formula.

Snap-fit dentures
When I was a kid, there were hollow plastic beads (a recent patient seemed to think they were called “Pop-its”) that could be snapped together to make a necklace. That’s the same concept, on a much more sophisticated level, that’s used in snap-fit dentures.

Here’s how it works: A specially engineered metal post is inserted into an implant, or into a tooth that has had a root canal. This forms one half of the snap-fit. The other half is a tiny nylon lock that fits in your partial or complete denture and forms a snap-fit when the denture is put in your mouth. You can remove the denture to clean it, etc., but it’s much more stable and comfortable than a regular denture because of the snap-fit feature, which is called a Locator® attachment.

Here are some advantages of a snap-fit denture:

More stable
Fewer sore spots and pressure points, since the denture doesn’t just rest on gum tissue and rub that tissue. Some of the force placed on the denture is absorbed by the implants or natural teeth with Locators.

Less frequent adjustments.
Preservation of bone support. The longer you wear a conventional denture, the sooner pressure points destroy jawbone which supports the denture. The solidity and stability of snap-fit dentures means fewer pressure points and preservation of bone. Remember that jawbone shrinks under the pressure of most dentures. The longer you’ve worn a denture, the more bone shrinkage. A snap-fit denture preserves bone so that you’re likely to be able to eat well as long as you live.I’ve been making snap-fit dentures for many years; long enough that channel 6 news chose me as its “expert” for a TV clip a few years ago. If you or someone in your circle needs someone experienced to talk to about a snap-fit denture, I’d be happy to be that person.