Soft Dentures

Soft dentures is a term used to described conventional removable complete dentures with a soft liner on the inside. They are one option for replacing missing teeth. The soft liner can be placed when the dentures are made, or when they are relined.

Once all your teeth are extracted, if you don't replace them with dental implants, your jawbone begins to shrink. After a number of years, you will be suffering from a condition called facial collapse. In this condition, the lower jaw in particular will be very thin and may even consist only of a small, sharp ridge. When that happens, it can be very uncomfortable to wear a complete denture, because you will tend to get pressure sores along that sharp ridge. A soft liner can make that sharpness more tolerable.

Advantages of Soft Liners

  • They are more comfortable.
  • They can often be made with a more snug fit. Hard denture liners have to be relieved in all areas where there are undercuts. With a soft liner, the denture may be able to slightly engage some undercuts, for a tighter fit.
  • Because of the increased comfort and more snug fit, you may be able to chew better.
   Picture of Chicago soft denture liner
Picture of a denture with a soft liner.
Courtesy of Eliason Dental Laboratory,
Portland, Maine

Disadvantages of Soft Liners

  • The soft lining material is somewhat porous, so it attracts more microorganisms and keeping it clean is more critical.
  • They are more expensive and more difficult to place.
  • They deteriorate more quickly and thus need to be replaced more often.
  • Adjusting them is harder for the dentist.
  • Denture repair is more complicated.

The most comfortable option for replacing missing teeth is by far to have dental implants. However, soft dentures are an option that is more comfortable than conventional dentures with a hard lining.

 


Implant dentistry and cosmetic dentistry are not legally distinct specialties. Dr. Cohen's license is as a general dentist in the state of Illinois.