When you’re missing permanent teeth, it affects more than just your smile. Tooth loss can cause difficulties eating and speaking and can even take a negative toll on your self-esteem. Worse yet, because those empty spots in your arches no longer have tooth roots to provide important stimulation, the jawbone can begin to deteriorate with time. This can make getting restorations like dentures and dental implants challenging, because they require solid foundation to work properly. If you’ve been missing permanent teeth for a while and aren’t sure if you can still get them due to bone loss, here’s what you need to know about restoring your smile despite jawbone deterioration.
Why Do I Need a Strong Jaw to Wear Dentures?
Dentures are prosthetics that sit on top of the gums and stay in place via natural suction. To work properly, they must have a secure hold and adequate jawbone support. Unfortunately, however, if you’ve been missing permanent teeth for a while, your arches may already be suffering from resorption, or a shrinking of the bone.
Although it is often still possible to get dentures with a shrunken jawbone, the truth is that the stronger your arches are, the easier it will be to keep your prosthetics in place and use them properly.
How Can I Replace Missing Teeth with Jawbone Deterioration?
If you’ve been missing teeth for a while and already suffer from jawbone deterioration, it may still be possible to get dentures. However, be aware that you may need some preliminary treatments like bone grafting to rebuild your jawbone, so it is strong enough to support your restorations. Other prosthetic options may include implant-supported dentures, which anchor to the jawbone via a series of permanent dental implants. Although dental implants also require sufficient bone density, these prosthetics are ideal for those who have already experienced significant bone loss and can also be strengthened by preliminary treatments like bone grafting and sinus lifts.
Can Wearing Dentures Prevent Jawbone Deterioration?
Although leaving empty spaces in the arches can increase the risk of jawbone deterioration, wearing dentures can slow resorption when used properly. While traditional dentures don’t anchor to the arch like an implant would, they still do provide valuable stimulation and can easily prevent things like tooth drift that can cause other teeth to move or loosen due to resorption. However, be sure to use them exactly as directed by your dentist, including removing them overnight to allow your gums and jaws time to rest. In fact, wearing dentures around the clock has been shown to accelerate deterioration, not slow it down!
Remember, failing to replace missing permanent teeth can cause bone resorption that may increase your risk of further tooth loss and make it harder to get restorations like dentures and dental implants. If you’re ready to bring back your beautiful smile, speak to your dentist about your options today!
About Our Practice
At Holt Family Dentistry, Dr. Gordon-Holt and Dr. Fusco are proud to offer smile restoration options including dentures, dental implants, and dental bridges. If you are missing one or more permanent teeth, don’t wait too long to replace them. Schedule a consultation with us today to discuss your options and protect your smile from dangerous jawbone deterioration that can cause further tooth loss. To make your appointment, visit our website or call us today at 704-542-2325.