After the teeth go missing, the body naturally limits blood flow to the jawbone, and this can lead to it gradually shrinking. Most patients who haven’t had teeth for a long time have experienced some degree of this, and it can become a big concern when they are finally ready to restore their smiles. Is it possible to get dentures even with bone loss? Thankfully, the answer is yes, and here’s how it works.
Why The Jawbone Shrinks in the First Place
Every time you bite or chew, the teeth stimulate the underlying jawbone. This signals to the body that the teeth need nutrients to keep functioning, so it makes sure the area receives steady blood flow. This stops when the teeth are gone.
The body is very efficient with its resources, so when it senses that one part isn’t being used, it will redirect blood away from it. As a result, the jawbone in this case begins to weaken. Plus, the body may even start to reabsorb the minerals in the bone so they can be sent somewhere else.
Where Dentures Come into Play
Thankfully, this doesn’t prevent a person from getting dentures. It just means that the fitting process might take a little longer, and they may need more relines and adjustments in the years ahead. Otherwise, the experience is the same as it would be for someone without bone loss, where impressions are taken, and then fittings occur until someone finds the right feel and appearance.
Dentures have also been shown to slow down bone loss, taking pressure off of the gums and distributing it to the new teeth, mimicking the missing stimulation for the jawbone.
Going a Step Further
While dentures can slow down and offset bone loss, only one treatment has been shown to stop it completely (or even reverse it in some cases): dental implants. They are placed directly into the jawbone and recreate the structure of tooth roots, which automatically causes the body to support them (and the surrounding bone) like real teeth.
Getting dental implants after bone loss can do wonders for a person’s oral health and prevent many issues from developing down the line, but it should be noted that the treatment will require multiple visits, minor surgeries, and close to a year of healing time.
But whether you choose to get dentures or dental implants, it’s certainly better than just going without teeth and letting nature take its course. With either option, you can restore your health, appearance, and peace of mind by having a smile you’re always ready to show off.
About the Author
Dr. Krysten Jackson and Dr. Eric Parsons are husband-and-wife restorative and implant dentists who graduated from the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry. Dr. Jackson completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency there, and Dr. Parsons is constantly training to use the latest technology to deliver the most comfortable and effective treatment possible. If you’d like to learn more about getting dentures in El Reno or explore our other options for replacing missing teeth, schedule an appointment at El Reno Family Dentistry today.