Many Americans have one or more missing teeth, which is why so many dentists offer dentures and other tooth-replacement options. If you have missing teeth, or your dentist suggests removing all your teeth because of severe decay or damage, you need to learn a little more about dentures and bone loss.
Can You Wear Dentures With a Weak Jawbone?
If you have a weak jawbone, dentures are probably your best bet. Dental bridges require a strong jawbone for the anchor teeth, and dental implants require a strong jawbone to support the implant. Dentures sit on top of the jawbone, and they don't really use it for stability, so even if your jaw is weak, dentures may be a great choice.
However, as your jawbone changes in shape, you may need to get a new set of dentures or have them relined to better fit. Poorly fitting dentures make talking and eating difficult, and they can be painful. You also have a higher chance of the dentures slipping or falling out of your mouth.
As an added insult, poorly fitted dentures could further impact bone loss. This is more common if your dentures hit your gums uncomfortably when you eat. For example, they may cause irritation to the same spot again and again, which can impact the gums and jawbone. Dentures that fit better will help to evenly distribute the pressure.
How Do Dentures Affect the Jawbone?
As long as you keep them in good condition, dentures won't really affect your jawbone. Unfortunately, missing teeth do affect your jawbone, and dentures don't offer much assistance. As with any part of your body, if you don't use it, you lose it. Your jawbone is useful for eating and talking, but its main purpose is to support your teeth.
In turn, the teeth help stimulate the jawbone, giving it something to do and keeping it strong. If there is no tooth root, however, the jawbone has nothing to stimulate it, which causes it to shrink. Unfortunately, dentures don't stimulate anything.
If you only have partial dentures because many of your teeth are still intact, this may not be an issue. The healthy tooth roots will continue to stimulate the jawbone. You may see some shrinking where the teeth are missing, but overall, the jawbone should remain healthy (if you continue to care for your teeth and gums).
Can You Protect the Jawbone?
If you do have all your teeth missing, and you want to protect your jawbone, you're in luck. Implant-supported dentures can be a possible option. Depending on your situation and budget, the dentist may recommend ball- or bar-retained dentures.
Ball-retained dentures have artificial roots that sit in the jawbone. Because the roots are made from titanium, they fuse to the jawbone, and help keep it strong. For this procedure, you will need a strong jawbone, and if you have untreated gum disease, you should get it under control first so the implant has less chance of failing.
Bar-retained dentures, however, have a metal bar that fits inside the gums above the jawbone. This type of implant-supported dentures won't offer much stimulation to the jawbone, but it may be a good choice if your jawbone is already weak, and you can't afford a bone graft to strengthen the jawbone.
Regardless of which type you choose, dentures can give you back your confidence, and make eating, talking, and smiling easier again. If you would like to know more about traditional dentures or implant-supported dentures, or if you would like to schedule an appointment for denture consultation, contact us at Dr. Gregory B. Halls Denture Center today.
