Many people experience denture problems after wearing dentures for many years. One of the most common issues is when dentures no longer stay in place because the jawbone has shrunk over time. This condition, often called facial collapse, can make eating and speaking difficult. Fortunately, there are modern dental solutions that can help restore stability and improve your quality of life.
Patsy
Dear Patsy,
This dentist did you a huge disservice. It’s hard enough being in the position you are in without him offering any solutions for you. I’m very sorry. What’s happened is known as facial collapse in the dental industry. When your teeth were removed your body recognized that. In an effort to be efficient, it began to resorb the minerals in your jawbone to use elsewhere. This causes your jawbone to slowly shrink. Given the number of years you’ve had dentures, it is no wonder you don’t have any ridge left in your jawbone.
Unlike what you learned in your useless appointment, you do have options which can completely transform your quality of life. There doesn’t have to be a life full of liquid meals for you. In fact, if you wanted, you could eat steak again.
Implant Overdentures — a New Lease on Life
The first thing you’ll have to do is have some bone grafting done. This will build back the bone structure you’ve lost. This is an outpatient procedure. You may have to call around to find a dentist with the knowledge, experience, and skill to perform it, but they are there.
After that, you have a couple of choices. You can get dentures again, just be aware that the same problem will happen all over again. The better option would be to get implant overdentures. This is when you place four to six dental implants and anchor a denture to them.
This has several benefits. The first is you won’t have to worry about facial collapse anymore. The implants signal to your brain that you still have teeth and leaves the minerals from your jawbone intact. The second is security. Your dentures will always be secure. They’ll never slip or slide. You can eat and drink normally.
This blog is brought to you by Glendale, CA Dentist Dr. Robert Thein.