If you’ve been missing teeth for a while but are ready to restore your smile, you may be wondering what your options are. While some people are interested in learning more about dental implants, for others dentures make more sense. But can you still get dentures even if you haven’t had a full smile for some time? Here’s what you need to know about getting dentures after tooth loss.
Missing Teeth and Your Jaw
When you are missing teeth, your jawbone does not get proper stimulation from your tooth roots. Without this stimulation, the jawbone begins to deteriorate, making tooth restoration options like dental implants difficult. This is because without a sturdy bone to insert the implants into, they are likely to fail. Thus, some patients need a bone graft prior to getting them.
With dentures, while you don’t need anything surgically attached, you still do need to have sufficient jawbone density to support them. Thus, if you have been missing teeth for a while, even if you’re getting dentures, you may still need a bone graft to ensure that your bones can accommodate them.
What is a Bone Graft?
A bone graft is a procedure where your dentist places bone tissue from other areas of your body into the jawbone to restore areas deteriorated by lack of stimulation. This can also be done using donor tissue or synthetic materials. Your dentist can discuss these options with you prior to your procedure if a bone graft is necessary.
Other Qualifications for Dentures
In addition to having strong jawbones, with dentures you must also be committed to caring for your oral health. That’s because even though your new dentures cannot get cavities or decay like real teeth can, they can still become damaged if you don’t clean them and soak them, and you can still get painful oral health conditions like gum disease, mouth sores, and other infections if you don’t maintain proper hygiene.
Remember, missing teeth for an extended period of time doesn’t automatically disqualify you from getting dentures, but you may need additional treatment such as a bone graft procedure first. To learn more about if you’re a good candidate for dentures or any other type of tooth restoration, please visit your dentist today!
About Our Practice
At Central Dental Associates, we’ve been improving the smiles of Norwood patients for over 50 years, but we don’t just focus on your mouth. We truly understand the connection between your oral and overall health. After all, if you can’t eat or speak properly, you can’t live your best life. If you’ve struggled with tooth loss and are ready to restore your smile and once again enjoy a nutritious diet that’s easy to chew and digest, dentures could be the answer. To learn more about if you are a candidate for this treatment, please visit our website or call us today at 781-769-3566 to schedule a consultation.