If you’ve been missing teeth for a while, you’re probably eager to replace them and get back to enjoying things like eating your favorite foods, speaking clearly, and smiling confidently. Unfortunately, however, if too much time has passed, solutions like dental implants may no longer be an option, but the good news is that dentures could be the perfect solution. Here’s how these time-tested prosthetics can give your smile a second chance!
What Happens to Your Jawbones After Tooth Loss?
Your teeth do more than just look pretty when you smile. They chew your food, make it easier to speak, and they even stimulate your jawbones, so they stay healthy and strong. A strong jaw helps prevent further tooth loss, facial sagging, and maintains your biteforce so you can still break down a variety of foods. But when you’re missing teeth, the jawbone is deprived of that stimulation, causing it to shrink over time. In fact, the longer you go without them, the worse this can get. What started as one lost tooth can eventually lead to a whole arch of loss if not replaced promptly.
Replacing Lost Teeth
Because of the very important role your teeth play in your oral health, it is vital to replace them as soon as possible. Unfortunately, however, if a few years or more has passed since you lost them, replacing them with solutions like dental implants may no longer be viable if there has already been too much jawbone deterioration. Though sometimes procedures such as bone grafts and sinus lifts can help, these may not work for everyone. Thus, patients are left to find another solution to their tooth loss.
The Benefits of Dentures
If you’re missing one or more of your permanent teeth, dentures can be an excellent option to replace them. Though they’ve been around for centuries, today’s dentures are more durable and lifelike than ever. Best of all, they can be used to do all the things your real teeth once did: chew food, promote clear speech, and give you a dazzling smile, too! Though you may still need some preliminary dental procedures before getting dentures, such as bone grafting, a sinus lift, gum disease treatment, or tooth extractions, many people who aren’t a good candidate for other restorations find that they absolutely are a good candidate for dentures!
For patients who are searching for the convenience of dentures but would prefer a more permanent restoration, implant dentures could also be an excellent option. These prosthetics secure to the jaw via a series of dental implant posts but are often much more cost effective and may require less jawbone density than other options, depending on the type you choose, so speak to your dentist today about your options.
Remember, dentures can be a great solution to replace permanent teeth, especially if you don’t have the jawbone to support other restorations. To learn more about whether you’re a good candidate for dentures, please schedule a consultation with your dentist today!
About Our Practice
At LIC Dental Associates, our team of skilled and compassionate dentists is proud to offer a wide range of tooth restoration options, including dentures. Whether you’ve been missing teeth for a while or you need to replace a recently lost or extracted tooth, dentures can often be a viable option for many patients. To schedule an appointment for dentures, please visit our website!