To try to counter sunken cheeks, some dentists add cheek plumpers to dentures. Unfortunately, this can't consistently lead to a more attractive facial appearance. However, there are alternatives to traditional dentures that can give you full cheeks and a more youthful appearance.
Dentures can improve the appearance of not only your mouth but also your face shape compared to a mouth with no teeth. This is because dentures allow the mouth to function properly and give support. However, dentures can make your face appear sunken. A sunken appearance may be the cause of ill-fitting dentures.
The best way to avoid bone loss in the jaw — and, therefore, facial collapse — is to maintain good oral health and keep your natural teeth. If that ship has sailed and you have lost one or more teeth or had them extracted, oral surgery to place dental implants can help prevent further jawbone shrinkage.
When you're wearing dentures, your jawbone can lose volume, including in the chin area. This causes the muscle attachments to change, causing the muscles and the fat they support to move downward, creating a sagging chin that is often described as witch's chin.”
Those experiencing this problem may appear to have a shriveled face. Sometimes the distance from the chin to the mouth shrinks, and sometimes the distance from the nose to the mouth shrinks. The lips may pucker as the jaws rest closer together.
The Progression of Facial Collapse
When your teeth are missing, your body begins to resorb the bone that was used to support those teeth. Over the course of about 10-20 years the jawbone shrinks significantly. This condition is known as facial collapse.
Dentures typically cause up to 70% bone loss within the first several years of use. Partials can have similar effects. Denture prosthetics are designed to rest or ride on gum tissue and do not provide direct stimulation to the jawbone as normal teeth or implants do.
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.
What Causes Facial Collapse? Tooth roots stimulate the jawbone. When all of your teeth are missing, the bone is without stimulation and your body begins to resorb it, taking the minerals to use elsewhere in the body. Loss of this bone causes your jaw to shrink, resulting in a condition called facial collapse.
One of the things that denture wearers can do if they feel the dentures are a bit loose or not fitting properly is using dental adhesive. These can be found at a local drug store and may be helpful for a possible hindrance the patient might be facing.
It can take a few weeks to adjust to dentures, but once your mouth is strong, you can eat just about any food. There will always be some foods that aren't denture-friendly, like chewing gum, popcorn, whole nuts, steak, and sticky candy.
First, a simple rule: Adding a shadow makes a feature recede and adding a highlight brings it forward. So, to create the look of fuller cheeks, try a bright blush colour or a luminous foundation, both of which will have a highlighting effect. With blush, steer clear of dark shades; vivid pinks and peaches work best.
Sunken cheeks can be addressed via facial rejuvenation treatments designed to add youthful contours. Because hollow cheeks are the result of volume loss, restoring volume offers the most successful cosmetic outcomes. The most popular outpatient treatment is injectable fillers, also commonly called dermal fillers.
As we get older, collagen, elastin, and even facial fat pads break down, resulting in some changes that can cause the appearance of a sunken face. The effect is even more pronounced when the fat pads begin to drift south, which can exacerbate sunken cheeks and undereye hollows.
There is no rule against brushing your dentures without removing them. Doing so is unlikely to cause any harm as long as you use a very soft-bristled brush and avoid abrasive cleaning agents.
Can you perform oral sex? Of course it is. Many people are afraid to kiss another person or perform oral sex for fear that their partner – if he or she doesn't know – will notice that they have dentures.
Expect Discomfort Early On
As a general rule of thumb, dental professionals are likely to tell you that adjusting to new dentures takes about 30 days, on average. You might not be keen to wait this long, but you need to be careful how quickly you try to get back to normal.
If you wear dentures, the movement of dentures actually tends to accelerate jaw bone shrinkage. You may notice facial shrinkage and an aging effect, as well as loosening dentures. Other than missing teeth causing atrophy, jaw bone loss can also be caused by gum disease, oral cancer or other pathology.
Traditional dentures can be a great tooth replacement option for some people, especially when the cost is the priority, but they do not factor into jawbone preservation. Dental implants do impact the jawbone, however, and they may be the difference-making addition your smile needs!
In most cases, dental bone loss can be stopped. And with expert periodontal care, you can actually regenerate bone and reverse bone loss.
If you do not have denture soaking solution or are unable to get them, it is okay for you to soak your dentures in mouthwash on occasion. Just be sure to mix the mouthwash with equal parts water before submerging your dentures. Rinse the dentures thoroughly before placing back in your mouth.
Dentures are designed to be worn, so make sure you wear them regularly. If you don't, then your dentures could dry out and deform (especially if they're not soaked in water when you aren't wearing them).
But with missing teeth, your jawbone isn't able to support the structure of your face anymore. Your facial structure, which depends on a well formed healthy jawbone to support all your teeth, will eventually start collapsing. You will notice this as a sunken look to your face or a shorter face (than normal).