Can’t Keep My Dentures In
Posted by writeradmin
I have been in dentures for over 30 years. I started having trouble with the dentures about ten years ago. Now it has gotten to the point that I can’t even keep my dentures in any more. I went to see a nearby dentist and he said that I don’t have any bone ridge left. Because of that he said it won’t stay in any more. What do I do? Are there any options for me?
Lacey
Dear Lacey,
What you are dealing with is what dentists call facial collapse. When your teeth were first removed, your body recognized that and began resorbing the minerals in your jawbone because it no longer needed to support your teeth. Then, it used those minerals in other places throughout your body where it knew they would be more needed.
Our bodies don’t realize you have fake teeth if there are no roots there, just that you don’t have teeth.
As a result, your jawbone slowly shrinks. Eventually, like in your situation, you no longer have enough jawbone left to keep in your dentures. Dentists call this facial collapse.
The good news is that there is a solution. The first thing you’ll need to do is get bone grafting done. This will build back up the bone you lost. From there, you have two options. You can get new removable dentures again, but be aware that the entire cycle of facial collapse will start again.
Your second option is to get dental implants placed and then anchor your new dentures to them. This has a lot of benefits, and would actually be my recommendation.
- It will keep your dentures totally secure. No more slipping and sliding.
- It will allow you to eat anything you want once again, just like when you had natural teeth.
- It will prevent facial collapse, because the dental implants function as teeth roots and signal to your body that you need the bone structure.
This blog is brought to you by a gentle dentist in Arnold, MD, Dr. Meredith Esposito.