Dentist Angry I Want Dentures

I don’t know what to do. My mouth is a wreck. I know dental implants will be better, but I just can’t afford them. It’s dentures or nothing, but my dentist keeps acting like I’m ruining my life. Are they really that big of a disaster?

Macey

Dear Macey,

Image of dentures for a bottom arch

While dentures aren’t the best, sometimes (as you said) it is all you can do. That being said, you need to understand the risks so you can make adequate preparation for the future.

The biggest issue you’ll face which has long-term consequences is something called facial collapse. When your teeth are removed, your body will begin to resorb the minerals in your jawbone to use elsewhere where it perceives those minerals will be more useful.

This has the unfortunate effect of shrinking your jawbone. It does this because it recognizes you no longer have tooth roots and assumes you don’t need the bone any longer. After about ten or so years, you’ll no longer have enough bone left to support your dentures. They won’t stay in.

Planning for Treatment After Dentures

Once your jawbone has shrunk that far, you’ll either no longer be able to wear your dentures or you’ll have to rebuild the bone in your jawbone with a procedure known as bone grafting.

After that is done, you can have dentures re-made again or (if finances are better) get dental implants

Why Dental Implants are Better

Dental implants place prosthetic teeth roots in your jawbone. This signals to your brain there are still teeth there and you need to keep your bone secure., thereby preventing facial collapse.

In your place, I’d start with dentures if it was absolutely necessary, but make serious plans to save up for the implants as you are able.

This blog is brought to you by Baton Rouge Dentist Dr. Steven Collins.