Is 30 Years in Dentures Too Late to Get a Pretty Smile?

I’ve been in dentures for a little over 30 years. Since then my jaw has shrunk to the point that I can’t even keep my dentures in. Even when they were in, I always found them embarrassing. They looked fake. Did I wait too late to get a pretty smile?

Catherine

Dear Catherine,

Before and after facial collapse.

I’m sorry for what you’ve been going through. There are lots of problems with dentures. The good news is that it is never too late to get dental implants as long as you are in good dental health. The only catch is that you will need an additional procedure in order to make it work.

All that bone you’ve lost is a result of wearing completely removable dentures. In dental circles, it is a known side effect your original dentist should have warned you about, known as facial collapse. That bone will be necessary for any quality of life, even if you don’t get dental implants and just want to keep your dentures in. The good news is that you can build up that bone with a bone grafting procedure. Once that is healed you can either get new removable denture, which will start the process of facial collapse all over again, or get implant supported dentures, which prevents bone loss.

This is because the implants serve as prosthetic tooth roots. That signals to your brain that you have teeth there so it will leave your jawbone alone instead of resorbing its minerals to use elsewhere.

My recommendation would be the implant supported dentures. Not only does it prevent facial collapse, but it will also greatly increase your quality of life. No more shifting teeth. And, you’ll be able to eat anything you want again.

This blog is brought to you by caring dentists in Auburn, AL Drs. Murphree and Yount.