Does a Long Time Without Teeth Mean You Can’t Get Dentures?

If you are missing teeth, your jawbone gradually begins to shrink. This can make it harder to get dental implants to restore your smile. However, jawbone loss does not necessarily prevent you from getting dentures. Some kinds of dentures can even help correct bone loss. Here’s what you need to know.

Dentures and Jawbone Loss

Jawbone loss following tooth loss is typically due to bone resorption, a process by which bones are absorbed and broken down by the body. This occurs when the body believes it no longer needs bone in that area due to a lack of stimulation. Every time a person bites or chews, the teeth stimulate the jawbone, keeping it healthy. However, if the teeth are gone, the necessary stimulation stops, triggering bone resorption.

Fortunately, some dentures can actually apply the pressure and stimulation the gums and jawbone need.

How Dentures Can Help Patients with Jawbone Loss

Replacing your lost teeth is very important for your oral health. Left untreated, bone resorption can lead to pain, infection, facial collapse, more tooth loss, and other dental issues. Getting dentures can help prevent further shrinkage in the jawbone and protect your teeth by stimulating your jawbone and keeping it healthy and firm.

If you haven’t had teeth in some time, dentures can still be an option to maintaining your dental health. Dentures can be custom-made to fit securely in your mouth even if your jawbone has shrunk. However, your jawbone will naturally continue to shrink over time, so you may need to have your dentures regularly relined each year and replaced after about five years.

How to Stop Jawbone Loss

Dentists often recommend a bone graft to prevent bone resorption and revitalize your smile. Bone grafting is a good option to combat bone loss for patients in good health looking to get dental implants.

After receiving this procedure, the graft will need time to heal and fully fuse with the jawbone. Once fused, the bone graft will help simulate the stimulation and functionality of natural teeth

However, if your bone loss is too advanced, traditional dentures may be your only viable option to restore your missing teeth.

About the Practice

Edgewood Dental is home to a team dedicated to providing high-quality dental services, including preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry, as well as dental implants. If you’re interested in getting dentures or dental implants to restore your smile, you can contact the Edgewood Dental team through their website or by phone at (219) 898-4545.