My Implant Denture Makes My Lips Protrude

After getting Teeth in a Day, my denture sits too far forward, making my lips look protrude. Will you please tell me how many millimeters from the gumline my dentist should place my permanent denture or if the denture should follow the gumline? The look of my temporary denture is making me think it’s too late to correct it without repositioning my implants. Thank you. Sarya

 

Sarya,

It sounds like you’re referring to your denture teeth’s position with your jawbone’s ridge beneath the denture. The gumline is the edge where your teeth and gums meet. If you are missing all your teeth, or if they are extracted for dentures, you no longer have a gumline. The point where your denture teeth meet the pink acrylic replaces your natural gumline.

A dentist trained in occlusion and bite must examine your implant denture to diagnose and recommend treatment options accurately. However, we will explain how advanced cosmetic dentists achieve predictable results.

Placing Denture Teeth for Teeth-in-a-Day

Placing denture teeth for Teeth-in-a-Day requires meticulous attention to function and appearance. A cosmetic dentist will ensure you receive the best outcome for both.

Function

Teeth-in-a-Day is a system that supports denture teeth with at least four dental implants. If your teeth are 2 to 3 millimeters from the ridge, that is close enough within range for proper function. However, other considerations, including aesthetics, must also be considered when placing denture teeth.

Aesthetics

A wax model should be made before a dentist makes your denture or has it made by a lab. You can try the model to examine how the denture looks and affects your speech and your facial appearance—including the fullness of your lips. During the try-in, your dentist will ensure your bite and vertical dimensions are accurate before processing your final denture.

It’s not too late to talk to your dentist about how dentures affect your lips. Your dentist can:

• Determine if the impressions of your mouth are accurate or take new impressions
• Remake the temporary denture or have the lab re-do it

If you were already wearing your permanent dentures, your dentist could remove and reset your denture teeth or have a lab revise them.

Teeth-in-a-Day should improve the function and appearance of your denture. Remind your dentist of your expectations, and don’t compromise. Your dentist should be able to get this right. But if it’s not going well after a second try, we recommend you get a second opinion. Find a dentist with experience in implantology, aesthetics, occlusion, and bite (how your upper and lower teeth fit together).

Rocky Hill, Connecticut, cosmetic dentist Dr. Thaddeus Michalski sponsors this post.