If you are missing all the teeth on an arch and searching for a durable, natural looking replacement solution, you may have considered options like dental implants. Unfortunately, for some patients this treatment may not be a success, especially if they have experienced significant jawbone deterioration. The good news is that dentures are often an excellent alternative, but many patients aren’t sure they can still get them if they’ve been missing teeth for a while. Here’s why even if it’s been a long time since you lost your teeth, it may still be possible to get this life-changing treatment!
The Dangers of Missing Teeth
Missing teeth can cause more than just gaps in your smile. It can make it harder to chew thoroughly, speak clearly, and it can even cause your jawbone to shrink due to lack of stimulation. Worse yet, these problems can cause secondary issues like malnutrition and further tooth loss, and make it difficult to get certain restorations like dental implants and dentures due to insufficient bone density.
Dentures and Jawbone Deterioration
If you have been missing teeth for a while, you may be surprised to find out that replacing them isn’t as straightforward as you may have thought. Unfortunately, to get popular prosthetics like dental implants and dentures, you’ll need to have sufficient jawbone density to support them. Worse yet, the longer you go without replacing them, the greater the likelihood that you’ll need preliminary treatments like bone grafting or a sinus lift to qualify for these options.
For those who are unable to qualify for dental implants, dentures offer a more affordable solution that may not require any prior treatment. In fact, while dentures don’t offer quite the level of stimulation that dental implants do, they still provide some and if used regularly and fit properly, can help prevent further deterioration.
Implant Dentures
Although you may not qualify for dental implants immediately, you may still be interested in a more permanent way to restore your smile. Implant dentures secure to the jaws via four to six implants that are attached to the bone. While the prosthetic teeth themselves may eventually need replacement, the posts should not. They also provide stimulation and prevent deterioration, and even if you’ve already experienced some bone loss, they may still be successful with preliminary restorative treatment.
Remember, although you may have been missing teeth for a long time, that doesn’t mean it’s too late to restore your smile with durable, lifelike dentures. Although you may need some preliminary care, this solution is ideal for patients on a budget, and for those who have experienced significant bone loss due to improper stimulation. To learn more about dentures and get your gorgeous grin back, schedule a consultation with your dentist today!
About Dr. Zhang
Dr. Haiwen Zhang was born in China and came to the United States as an exchange student when was just 15. He earned his dental degree at the Medical University of South Carolina James B Edward College of Dental Medicine and has since graduation strived to continue his dental education at places like the prestigious Pankey Institute and Spear Education. To schedule an appointment for dentures at Juniper Dental, visit our website or call 505-372-1121.