Can I Wear Dentures If I’ve Been Without Teeth for a While?

Dentures are one of the most popular and accessible options available for replacing missing teeth, and countless generations of patients have turned toward the prosthetics to restore lost pearly whites and upgrade their quality of life. That said, if you’re thinking about replacing your lost teeth with dentures, you might be wondering if they are still an option if you’ve been without teeth for several years. Here’s more from your dentist about why you’re still in luck!

How Missing Teeth Affect the Jawbone

Having missing teeth is very problematic for many reasons; not only is your ability to eat and speak greatly compromised, but you’re also subject to an issue known as bone resorption. This occurs when the body thinks it no longer needs bone in a particular area, which in this case, is the jaw.

Under normal circumstances, the stimulation provided by biting and chewing food is beneficial for your oral health; however, when you’re missing teeth, those areas of the jawbone begin missing out on crucial stimulation, which ultimately leads to resorption, facial collapse, additional missing teeth, and many other unwanted issues.

Yes, Dentures Are Still an Option for Long-Term Tooth Loss

You should be happy to hear that bone resorption doesn’t disqualify patients from receiving dentures, and better yet, the restorations can even slow down the process to a certain degree! However, when dentures are stimulating the gums, this stimulus is sometimes not sufficient, especially if the dentures do not sit correctly. That said, while dentures might slow bone resorption, ultimately, they won’t stop it completely since your mouth is going to continue to change over time due to having missing teeth.

Types of Dentures

There are several different types of dentures, with numerous uses suited to address various circumstances—and some are even capable of assisting with the prevention of bone resorption. While partial dentures can be used to fill in just a few missing teeth, and full dentures can be outfitted to patients with entire missing arches, implant-retained dentures can restore teeth and provide the jawbone with the much-needed stimulation. By remaining sturdily in the jawbone, they create a stable and lasting foundation for the dentures that healthily stimulates your jaw.

The fact of the matter is, you can still wear dentures even if you’ve been without teeth for a while and have experienced bone loss; and even implant-retained dentures are known to counteract this. In any case, it’s crucial that your restoration fits properly in order to prevent any future resorption or other issues.

About the Practice

Under the leadership of Dr. Terry L. Drennan and Dr. Jade Nix, the team at Drennan Family Dentistry is ready to provide patients and families in Fort Worth with an exceptional level of dental care! They offer a wide range of services including restorative options like dentures to assist patients with extensive tooth loss. If you have any questions about the article or you’d like to arrange a visit for you or a loved one, feel free to contact Drennan Family Dentistry through their website or by phone: (817) 732-5522.