If you’ve been living without teeth for many years, you might be wondering whether dentures are still an option. The good news is that yes, it’s absolutely still possible to get dentures and restore your smile, even if significant time has passed since you’ve lost your pearly whites! Whether you lost your teeth due to gum disease, injury, or other issues, modern dentistry can help you rebuild your smile and prevent the jawbone loss that’s associated with missing teeth. Here’s what you need to know.
How Long-Term Tooth Loss Affects the Jaw
One of the main concerns with long-term tooth loss is the effect it has on the jawbone—since there are no longer tooth roots stimulating this bone tissue, it essentially stops growing like it’s supposed to. Over time, the bone can begin to shrink or deteriorate, even leading to facial collapse and a shrunken jawbone. Of course, this can also raise concerns when it comes to dentures—it can make it more difficult to achieve a snug fit with dentures. This doesn’t rule dentures out entirely, though, and there are numerous things your dentist can do to ensure your new smile looks and functions properly.
Why Dentures Are Still an Excellent Option
In many cases, traditional full or partial dentures can still be an option, even if your jaw has changed over time. Remember, your dentist will ensure your dentures are highly customized to fit your mouth perfectly, which is drastically different than what store-bought dentures can offer.
If you’re interested in a more secure denture option, implant dentures are also worth considering. Hence their namesake, these dentures rely on the support provided by dental implants to remain stable and functional—and since the dental implant posts are placed directly into the jawbone, they provide it with the support and stimulation that was once provided by tooth roots. The result is a sturdy new set of teeth as well as the prevention of future jawbone deterioration.
Your dentist will need to evaluate your jawbone’s dentistry, among other factors like overall dental health, before you can receive dental implants to support dentures. While most patients qualify for traditional dentures, implant dentures may require preparation like a bone graft or periodontal therapy.
The bottom line is that whether you’ve been without teeth for just a year or two, or even a decade or two, you still have options—and dentures are one of them!
About the Practice
Our team here at Flagship Dental Group has proudly served the needs of patients and families in Longmeadow and the surrounding area for several years, offering a wide range of services, including restorative options like traditional dentures as well as implant-retained dentures. Missing any number of teeth can make life challenging, but with our help, restoring your smile has never been easier. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with our team to set up an appointment, please visit us online or call today for more information. Telephone: (413) 567-1221.