When you wear dentures that don't apply any neuromuscular principles to their design, your facial features aren't receiving the support they need after you lose your natural teeth. This can cause your skin to become loose which results in sagging skin on the lower third of your face and more wrinkles around your mouth.
Some people worry that dentures will make them look older. Thankfully, this is far from the truth. Not only are today's dentures incredibly realistic looking, but if you pair them with dental implants, you'll end up with a smile that will look and feel completely natural.
The short answer is yes, dentures can definitely change the shape of your face. But if you've been missing teeth or dealing with bad, ill-fitting dentures, the change may be for the better.
You can stabilize your appearance even more by using implant dentures. Implant dentures replace your teeth roots, which stimulates the jawbones so your body doesn't remove them. This helps you maintain your youthful appearance for longer. The average age of most people who wear dentures is 65 and older.
The only way a denture wearer can prevent facial collapse is to support the dentures with dental implants. Two to eight dental implants can be surgically implanted in the jawbone, and dentures are secured to them.
The sunken face that comes from having dentures isn't actually related to your muscles at all, it's caused by tooth (and consequently) bone loss in the jaw.
Dentures can, indeed, alter your face shape. But, the truth is that dentures may change your face shape for the better. It is noteworthy to remember that a custom set of dentures have the competency to restore your face to immaculate proportions and provide you with a more youthful and symmetrical appearance.
The first and foremost factor that makes a denture natural is its positioning. If the dentures are placed too far out, too far, or too short or too long, they won't seem as natural as you would like them to be. Another common element that can make your dentures look natural is the phenomenon of the 'Cheshire cat smile.
While many get their first set of false teeth between 40 and 49, the need to replace teeth becomes nearly universal as people age.
Your dentures (also known as false teeth) should look natural and there is no reason why they can't. There are different types of dentures and if you want them to look as natural as possible, factors you should consider include the size, shape and shade.
A sunken face indicates your current dentures are not fitted properly. The most likely cause of this is the teeth in the denture being too short. It is important to spot a sunken face immediately as improperly fitted dentures can cause other dental problems like jaw deterioration over time.
By listening closely to the person, you may detect a lisp. This happens because the tongue and the mouth are not used to having dental plates. However, as time passes, the lisp will eventually disappear, and it will be impossible to know if the person is wearing a denture by observing the person's speech.
Facial Shape Changes and Premature Aging
Your lips and cheeks will also lose their volume. This can result in looking older than your biological age. New dentures can help you regain your youth by providing your facial structure with support.
If you've already experienced facial collapse, bone grafting can build up your jawbone to give it the necessary density to accommodate implants. Once the jawbone is built up, the implants are placed to support dentures. Dr. Anthony LaVacca has extensive experience in bone grafting and reversing facial collapse.
Soft tissues beneath dentures can also become easily irritated by wearing dentures continually (24 hours a day). You should refrain from wearing dentures at night as this gives the skin a chance to recover from wearing them during the day.
Academy Award-winning actor and director Ben Affleck wore a full set of dentures at one point in his career. Eventually, he switched to crowns or implants.
Generally you should wear your dentures for at least 8 hours a day. This will give your gums and jawbone time to get used to the dentures and prevent sore spots from developing. It is best to take them out at night so that your gums can rest. You should also remove them for eating, drinking, brushing and flossing.
Many patients notice that once they get dentures, pronounced facial lines are softened, giving them a more youthful look. We want our denture patients to be proud of their smile. Don't be afraid to show it.
If your dentures are too big or short, your face might look puffy. Dentures that don't fit properly can affect the alignment of your chin and make your face look lopsided. During your visit to the Neenah, WI, dental office, your dentist will help you find dentures that fit well and enhance your appearance.
Custom Dentures
These dentures are made of more expensive teeth, which gives you a more natural-looking smile. One can actually see the new denture before it's completed. This denture is customized for one's smile, so it's natural looking and suits one's needs.
The three most common shades that are used are what I call natural (A2), natural white (A1), or Hollywood white (B1) and the two uncommon ones are what I call natural dark (A3) and sparkling white (010).
Because dentures rest on that gum ridge and are customized to fit its shape and size, dentures loosen as this happens, and for many patients, end up feeling too big for their mouths. What are your options if this has happened to you?
Ideally, your dentures should support your lips and cheeks, but if they are too large, they can actually push your dentures outward, resulting in puffy lips and cheeks. The correct fitting of dentures can usually prevent this, but the denture flanges that go around the gums can cause puffiness for some people.
Treating Facial Collapse
Fortunately, oral surgery can restore jawbone stability and eliminate issues with eating. Dental implants are an effective solution. However, when little bone is left, precision placement — using advanced imaging technology and virtual software to guide the procedure — is essential.
Because of advances over the last 20 years in denture technology and materials, modern dentures provide a better fit and look more natural, giving you a set of fully-functional replacement teeth. With modern dentures, you no longer have to go through life feeling embarrassed every time you smile.