How Wearing Dentures Causes A Declining Jaw Bone

Tooth loss has many frustrations. Dentures contribute to discomfort, reduced confidence, decreased ability to chew and enjoy foods, and a daily inconvenience.  Unfortunately, an underlying occurrence is taking place with even greater impact to one’s life … bone loss.

Bone loss, over time, contributes to deep wrinkling and a sunken-in appearance around the mouth, a ‘witches chin,’ jowls, and a severe reduction in biting strength. When tooth roots are missing from the jaw, the bone begins to shrink. This continues and is even accelerated by the pressure of dentures.

An indication of bone loss is the change in the fit of your denture.  Dentures that once fit securely will eventually loosen due to the change in the bone. As the bone shrinks, the ridge under the denture begins to flatten. Over time, the denture has less of a foundation, decreasing one’s ability to bite and chew comfortably. While the biting strength of natural teeth is 250 pounds, a denture wearer bites with 5 to 6 pounds.

This is among the reasons why so many adults are choosing Dental Implants to replace missing teeth. Dental Implants recreate the presence of tooth roots, halting bone loss and restoring the strength of your bite. There are many types of implants designed to accommodate individual needs. For those who have lost a great deal of bone depth, procedures are available to rebuild the bone or certain implant types can overcome minimal bone base.

Dental Implants are designed to last your lifetime and to bring you as much pleasure and comfort as natural teeth. To discuss your options, call (828) 274-9440 for a consultation. During this time, you’ll learn the implant type(s) best for you and have your questions answered thoroughly.