Even if you want dentures, you may think they’re just for people who recently lost teeth. Those who’ve lived with missing teeth for years surely wouldn’t qualify for them. However, this idea is false; you can get dentures even after extended tooth loss. Your local Winfield dentist will even tell you how that’s possible (and beneficial). To that end, here’s a primer on how dentures can work even when your teeth were lost years ago.
Context: Tooth Loss Weakens Your Jaw
To be fair, it’s usually best to get dentures soon after tooth loss. The reason is simple – living with missing teeth for too long erodes your jaw.
Your jaw requires teeth to maintain its density. As the force from chewing preserves your jawbone, losing your pearly whites – and the stimulus that comes with them – leads to tissue loss. This process can make your jaw weak and frail after a while.
Your jaw’s erosion will often affect your candidacy for tooth replacements. For example, dental implants need high jawbone density to stay secure.
Can Dentures Work After Extended Tooth Loss?
Despite the points above, dentures can still work after extended tooth loss. A weak jawbone isn’t an insurmountable hurdle for them.
For starters, some dentures don’t need a strong jaw. Full models exist that can cling to your gums with suction force instead of clasping to nearby teeth. That way, they could remain secure and stable even when your jaw is relatively weak.
More crucial is that jawbone loss is a solvable problem. The right dentist (or a similar specialist) could address the issue with a bone graft. After that procedure, your jaw would be strong and dense enough for any kind of denture.
Why Get Dentures at All?
Even if you’ve lived with missing teeth for years, dentures are still a worthwhile option. They’d provide you with benefits like:
- Beautiful Looks – Thanks to using quality materials, today’s dentures can give you a full and lifelike smile. Your peers won’t notice anything amiss!
- High Confidence – The right dentures will boost your confidence when they restore your grin. After getting them, you’ll likely feel more self-assured around friends and family.
- Easier Eating – You can trust dentures of all kinds to help you chew food. In doing so, they’d add variety to your meals and improve your nutrition.
- Cost-Effective Care – Even as they’re the least expensive restorations, dentures work quite well as replacement teeth. They’re a cost-effective option for patients with limited budgets.
You can get dentures after extended tooth loss, so don’t delay treatment further. Go see your dental provider for some much-needed smile restoration!
About the Author
Dr. David C. Parsons is a dentist based in Winfield, KS, having earned his DDS from Baylor (Texas A&M) School of Dentistry. His work in the field spans 40+ years and includes great expertise in preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry. He and his team can thus repair and transform nearly any smile! Today, Dr. Parsons practices at his self-titled clinic and is reachable on his website and by phone at (620)-221-0730.