I Keep Losing My Natural Teeth. Are Dentures Right For Me?

As we age, we lose teeth. For most of us, this is the reality we face.

Though some choose to do nothing about it, after you’ve lost 3-4 teeth, this can impact your chewing ability. It can affect your bite as well as overstress the other teeth in your mouth, unfortunately causing them to loosen, shift in their positioning, or outright break.

As if this wasn’t enough, the bone in the area where there’s a missing tooth will begin to shrink from lack of use.

Granted, none of this happens overnight. What is sure is that if there’s a pattern of losing natural teeth, you can be sure that these problems will start to present within a matter of a few years. Once problems start to occur and as the time goes by, it becomes difficult or expensive to fix them in an easy way.

While most people don’t get their missing teeth addressed due to financial reasons, it’s more manageable long-term to do so than it is to simply leave it alone.

When it comes to missing teeth, you have a very small amount of options.

• Do nothing.
• Replace the missing teeth with a denture.
• Replace the missing teeth with a fixed bridge.
• Replace the missing teeth with an implant denture.

What Do Dentures Do for Missing Teeth?

Dentures are a replacement for natural teeth and gums, replicating them in function and appearance.

Dentures come in many types, with conventional dentures being either partial or complete dentures.

‘Partial’ is when there are still some teeth remaining in an area of the mouth that a patient is keeping. A partial denture is designed to replace one or several missing teeth, compared to complete dentures or full dentures which replace an entire arch of missing teeth.

Though this type of denture can mimic the look of natural teeth quite well, they present some challenges as well.

Conventional dentures can cause gum problems and decay if they aren’t properly maintained.
Bone loss, atrophy, and/or shrinking continues, eventually affecting the stability of a denture.
Certain foods – such as those chewy, sticky, or hard – have to be avoided or risk what could be permanent damage to your dentures.
The force of one’s bite and ability to chew can be altered to sometimes a significant degree.

Have You Considered Implant Dentures?

Improving on the design of removable dentures, implant dentures use an artificial titanium root that’s put directly into the jawbone surgically to mimic the design and function of your tooth’s root.

Once the titanium root heals over, the bone has grown around it. The implant is then stable, attached to your jawbone. This implant is what is used to snap a denture into place, creating immovable false teeth that can be used to eat and speak with just like the real thing.

Implant dentures are considered the best way to replace missing teeth, as they continually stimulate the jawbone which prevents bone loss, something which is an ongoing issue with conventional dentures.

Despite the positives that come with implant-supported dentures, not everyone will be a candidate.

A patient needs adequate bone volume and will have to be assessed by a denturist. To ensure proper function, health, and long-term success, an assessment is required. This will determine the likelihood of implant dentures working for a patient.

If you are found to be ineligible, there are still other options a denturist can present to help eliminate the risks that come with losing natural teeth.

Why Dentures Might Be Right For You

After you have lost one or two natural teeth, it may be time to start thinking about dentures.

Millions of Canadians already sport them, including people from all backgrounds. Tooth loss, contrary to certain depictions, isn’t reserved for any specific ethnic group. It happens to everyone. Implant dentures are a natural solution. Here are some signs that you may need dentures.

• You struggle with eating certain types of foods or avoid eating these foods altogether.
• You go out of your way to hide your smile due to missing or damaged teeth.
• You are too embarrassed to visit the dentist due to missing teeth.
• You have lost confidence and self-esteem due to fear of being judged from oral health problems.
• There are growing gaps between your teeth or your teeth are shifting in your mouth compensating for the open areas that exist.

Don’t feel like you have to accept a loss of natural teeth without having options. Speak with a denturist today to determine your eligibility for implant dentures. You may be surprised at the difference dentures can make in your day-to-day. The before-and-after is often filled with unexpected benefits. Don’t let missing or damaged teeth hold you back. Call Apple Denture Clinic today for a consultation.