One of the most popular and reliable ways for renewing several or all of your missing teeth is dentures. These lifelike and durable restorations have been helping people rebuild their smiles for decades, and modern technology is only making them more effective. But can you still opt for this tooth-replacement option if you’ve been missing your teeth for some time? Read on to learn if getting dentures is still possible for you.
What Happens When You Lose Teeth?
If you’re missing some or all of your teeth, there are various reasons this may have happened. In some cases, certain oral health problems may have resulted in tooth loss or required extraction. The most common causes involve decay, gum disease, poor oral hygiene, and accidental injury. Losing your tooth not only influences the way your smile appears, but it also negatively affects your oral health.
Without a tooth replacement, a gap in your teeth can cause your jawbone to change. Due to the lack of stimulation of blood flow in the bone tissue, your jaw can start to deteriorate, resulting in a shrunken or aged appearance. Even if you have other remaining healthy teeth, they can begin to move out of place to fill the space, increasing the risk of damage or further tooth loss later on.
How Does This Affect Dentures?
By wearing properly fitted dentures consistently, you can significantly reduce the chance of losing any more teeth. This is because the restorations will help support your other pearly whites nearby, preventing them from moving their positions.
Although dentures provide an effective approach for restoring your bite and avoiding dental shifting, they do come with some challenges. They can help minimize changes in your facial structure, but you might consider implant dentures to preserve your jaw instead. The titanium posts will serve as your new tooth roots, providing the stimulation necessary for proper bone growth.
Ways to Avoid Jawbone Deterioration with Dentures
If you’re opting for dentures, here are several ways you can help preserve your jawbone:
- Properly fitted restorations – Dentures that are fitted correctly in your mouth will significantly reduce jawbone loss since they’ll stimulate your gums and bone structure underneath.
- Sufficient rest – By removing your dentures overnight, you’ll let your mouth recover and receive all the essential nutrients for proper health. Leaving them in can risk irritation and lead to bone resorption.
- Healthy diet – Be sure to keep a diet that is high in protein and calcium, which can drastically help you maintain stronger bone density in the long run.
Even if you’ve been missing teeth for a while, it doesn’t mean dentures are off the table. Consult your dentist if you’re interested, and they’ll be glad to determine the best solution for rebuilding your smile!
About the Practice
At Westgate Dental Care, our team provides outstanding and reliable dental treatments so our patients can keep healthy and beautiful teeth. We utilize state-of-the-art technology to create natural-looking and effective restorations, including dentures. We can even give you further tips on ways to maintain your jawbone. If you need to schedule a consultation, visit our website or call us at 847-577-7171.