Dentures are a popular way to rebuild after significant tooth loss because this versatile, cost-effective treatment can simultaneously enhance your smile’s appearance and functionality. Whether you’ve lost some or all of your natural teeth, your dentist can provide a customized solution designed to look and feel as lifelike as possible.
But if it’s been a while since your teeth went missing, your jawbone might already have become too weak and frail to support one of these restorations. Continue reading to learn more about how tooth loss affects the structure of your mouth and why you shouldn’t delay getting dentures!
How Does Tooth Loss Affect My Jawbone?
Under normal circumstances, the roots of your teeth stimulate additional bone growth in your jaw, which helps keep it active and healthy. Unfortunately, when they go missing, you can potentially lose up to 20% of the surrounding bone mass within the first year. This, in turn, can lead to additional loss or the thinning of the bony ridges in your mouth.
Over time, this process of degeneration can also affect your facial structure. As your jaw weakens, the muscles and ligaments connected to it begin to grow slack. As they do, you might develop sunken-looking cheeks, additional facial wrinkles, a protruding chin, and a less defined jawline.
How Does Bone Loss Impact My Dentures?
Your dentures rely on a firm suction against the connective tissues over the bony ridges in your mouth to remain in place throughout the day. These structures flatten as your jawbone becomes more frail. As a result, your dentures, which were designed to fit like a glove, can become destabilized. Wearing them in their current condition can potentially harm your dental health in a few ways.
For example, you might develop sores or gum disease that make wearing them uncomfortable. You might also develop a bite misalignment, so it’s usually recommended that you avoid wearing them if they don’t fit as intended.
Have I Waited Too Long to Get Dentures?
If it’s been a few years since your teeth went missing and you’re concerned that it’s too late for you to pursue this treatment, don’t lose hope! You might still benefit from other services, like implant dentures. Unlike the standard solution, this option involves surgically placing anywhere from 4 to 8 biocompatible support rods directly into your jaw to anchor a more permanent restoration.
Over time, they fuse with the bone to become a more permanent part of your mouth. They also function like the roots of teeth to stimulate the jawbone to help prevent the degeneration that typically accompanies tooth loss.
Your dentist can examine your condition and take X-rays or other images as needed to determine an appropriate solution to help you rebuild a beautiful, healthy smile!
About the Practice
Patients at Mauck & Ricci, DDS benefit from two highly accomplished dentists with decades of combined experience. Dr. Mauck and Dr. Ricci collaborate to offer a complete menu of services, including providing lifelike dentures, tailored to meet your unique needs. They take the time to get to know your individual goals and concerns, then use state-of-the-art equipment to enhance patient comfort and deliver accurate results that last. You can request an appointment on the website or call (303) 745-1400.