Will Dentures Make Me Look Older?

Will Dentures Make Me Look Older?

There are three different types of dentures patients can choose from, including removable dentures, overdentures, and fixed dentures. Removable dentures are the classic dentures that you wear during the day and remove at night for cleaning. One disadvantage of removable dentures is that they don’t preserve the bone the way fixed dentures do -- which are attached using dental implants. As the removable dentures sit on the bone, it will begin to wear away. This will not only cause the dentures to become loose, but it will also cause different features of your face to shift, making you appear older than you really are.

How Dentures Make You Look Old

Your jaw only maintains its shape when natural teeth are in the bone. When the jaw bone has been unstimulated for some time, it will start to shrink. And with the pressure of dentures on the gums -- this process only happens more rapidly, causing your dentures to become loose. Your jaw isn’t the only thing affected by bone loss, your appearance is too. Your jaw will no longer close as it did, so this will affect your bite. You’ll also experience a “loss of vertical dimension” -- which is when the distance between your chin and nose shortens. Bone loss in your jaw may also create the look of a sunken face -- which can cause your wrinkles to deepen. In mild cases, denture patients can have their dentures realigned and adjusted to provide a more secure fit, but this process will continue to occur as long as the jawbone remains unstimulated. Even using denture adhesives will not help. This is why fixed dentures are often a preferred method of denture application.

Talk with Your Dentist

You don’t have to look old just because you wear dentures. If you’re a first-time denture patient, it’s important to talk with your dentist about how your natural teeth used to look in regards to color, spacing, and size. Pictures can be especially helpful during your initial consultation. You’ll also want to explain to your dentist about how you want your smile to look. They’ll offer recommendations and let you know what is possible. Back to Will Dentures Make Me Look Different?