Home » Sleep Apnea » When to Wear Dentures in Your Sleep

Many times we receive phone calls from individuals who wear dentures who want to know when and where to wear them, and when to take them out.  One time in particular that concerns most people is the time at night during which they sleep.  Most people who wear dentures have either read or have been told to take them out when they sleep.  However, certain patients with other dental needs, such as those who wear oral appliances for sleep apnea, often have questions that relate to wearing dentures in conjunction with these treatment methods.  We always take the time to answer these questions as simply and in as much detail as possible.

As with everything, there are rules, and there are exceptions to rules.  We will look at the rules first.

As a general rule, patients wearing dentures should remove them during sleep.  This is logical for two reasons.  From a practical standpoint, a person really does not need them during a time when the body is unconscious and he or she is not eating or speaking to others in public.  From a medical standpoint, it makes even more sense to remove the dentures and give the gum tissues a rest.  This helps the body during sleep perform its normal routine of renewing and restoring tissues.

However, there are exceptions to this rule.  If any of these exceptions apply to you, we recommend that you wear your dentures while you sleep.  These exceptions to standard practice are as follows:

Pain in the Jaws

Some people have weak jaws due to bone loss that follows tooth loss.  Dentures actually act as support structures to the bone.  In the event that they are removed, a patient will often feel pain.  Because it is very hard to sleep with pain in the mouth, persons who notice pain when they remove their dentures should wear them during sleep in order to better rest at night.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

With certain sleep disorders, particularly obstructive sleep apnea, many dentists prescribe oral appliances as alternatives to sleep apnea. These devices are designed to either fit over teeth or attach to teeth through a variety of painless, yet very secure mechanisms.   If you are a sleep apnea patient who has recently been fitted for such a device, wearing your dentures during sleep is a way of helping the device better function.  Without them, the device will be as able to effectively position your jaws to keep your air passages open during breathing.  Considering these circumstances, you will need to wear your dentures during sleep as much as you do during the day. 

Patients with Natural Teeth or Tooth Implants

If you are a person with some remaining teeth, or if you have implants in place to stabilize dentures, you may grind on these during your sleep.  This can result in wear and tear problems for both natural teeth and tooth replacements.  If this is the case, we recommend you wear your overdentures to protect yourself against Bruxism.