I can’t keep my dentures in. I’m in my 18th year of wearing them and they keep falling out. I don’t know if my gums are thinner or if the dentures are widening on me, but I can’t keep them in. I am afraid that one day I won’t be able to wear them anymore. Could this happen? What are my options? Thank you. Rose from Indiana
Rose – You are experiencing facial collapse, which occurs when all of your teeth are missing. The loss of your teeth is a signal to your body that the jawbone that once supported the teeth is no longer needed. So, your body resorbs the bone and uses the minerals from it elsewhere.
As the jawbone shrinkage progresses, it becomes difficult, if not impossible to wear dentures. Bone grafting will be needed to build up your jawbone.
You will then have a few options:
- Removable dentures – Facial collapse will continue to occur, and you will have to repeat the bone grafting procedure again.
- Dental implants – Each of your teeth can be replaced with a dental implant. Dental implants look and feel more like your natural teeth than any other solution. The implants will permanently prevent jawbone shrinkage. The cost is per implant.
- Implant overdentures – With several dental implants, your dentures can be secured to the implants. The presence of the implants will slow the progression of the jawbone shrinkage. This option is much less expensive than replacing each tooth with an implant.
This blog is sponsored by the office of Naperville implant dentist Dr. Anthony LaVacca.
