Haven’t Had Teeth for Years? Dentures May Still Be an Option!

Tooth loss affects millions of people every year, degrading their quality of life. If you’ve been without teeth for a long time, you may begin feeling and seeing the effects when you look in the mirror. But, if you want to regain your smile, are dentures still an option? They could be! Continue reading to find everything you need to know about getting dentures after long-term tooth loss.

What Happens After Prolonged Tooth Loss?

Tooth loss can happen for many reasons, including gum disease, injury, or extensive decay. When they’re missing for an extended period, several changes occur in your mouth:

• Bone Resorption: Without teeth, the jawbone may shrink and change shape over time. This process is called resorption and happens because the bone is no longer stimulated by chewing.
• Gum Tissue Changes: The gums can also begin to recede over time, leaving any remaining teeth you have exposed. This can slowly affect the jawbone underneath as well.
• Oral Health Impact: Missing teeth can affect your ability to chew and speak properly and can affect your self-confidence. Over a long period of time, these feelings can turn into hopelessness, anxiety, and depression, making getting help even harder.

Can You Still Get Dentures After Long-Term Tooth Loss?

There is always hope that you can receive the care you need. Dentures are no exception! Even after an extended period without teeth, you may still be able to get dentures with some help from your dentist. However, it may be a longer road than normal depending on the state of your mouth. Once you have your consultation, your dentist will make a treatment plan with you that outlines your next steps.

How Do Dentists Prepare You Mouth for Dentures?

After a long period of time without teeth, your jawbone will have deteriorated. To solve this issue, your dentist will perform a bone graft. This is a procedure that adds bone material to areas in your mouth to build them back up. Once the graft has healed, it fuses with your jawbone, making it strong enough to support prosthetics.

Along with a bone graft, your dentist may need to treat your mouth for gum disease or stop the recession of your tissues. This will add more time to your treatment, but it’s a necessary step to keep your mouth healthy as you prepare for your dentures.

So, even if you haven’t had teeth for years, dentures are still a viable and effective option. Thanks to advances in dental technology, these prosthetics can serve more people than ever before. If you’re ready to end your toothlessness and improve your quality of life, call your dentist and schedule a consultation! Together you can explore options for reviving your smile in comfort.

About the Author

Dr. LJ Adam believes that great smiles begin with education and trust between patient and dentist. He earned his dental degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine and has continued learning every day, offering advanced treatments for all his patients. Call (724) 297-3446 to schedule a denture consultation at Adam Associates Family Dental or visit the website to discover other services they offer.