How Will My Face and Mouth Look With Dentures?

If you have one or several missing teeth, a dentist may recommend dentures. Dentures are capable of improving the way you speak and chew, though it can take some time to adjust to wearing them. Your oral health can improve as the artificial teeth stop your natural teeth from becoming loose or shifting. However, it is not just functionality that dentures can preserve. Your appearance can change too.

FAQs about dentures and how people look with them

If a person is trying to alter their appearance for the better with dentures, then it is necessary to have a set that is designed well and fits in the mouth. If the dentures are well-made and kept in good condition, then people may notice a positive change in their face and mouth area.

Can dentures stop sagging?

Teeth are an important part of maintaining jaw length. When a patient is missing one or more teeth, then the jawbone will not need the same amount of space, and the person may notice a shortened face. When the face is shortened, excess skin needs a place to go and will typically gather around the mouth. Dentures will prevent this shortening, and so, less sagging will occur.

So, the jaw will not recede?

Without needing to keep teeth in the proper place, the jawbone loses its main function. It will no longer be stimulated by tooth roots and will start receding. Although some dentures do not prevent this, implant-supported dentures can. A receding jaw can cause a person’s chin and nose to be closer together, changing the entire structure of the face. Dentures will help keep the jaw lower and prevent this from happening. This will promote a more natural look.

What about facial symmetry?

If a person has missing teeth on just one side of the mouth, it can cause a shift in facial structure as the mouth attempts to compensate for the lost teeth. This can lead to the face looking less symmetrical than before. Wearing dentures will stop the mouth from attempting to move and preserve facial symmetry.

How do dentures affect the lips?

Teeth do not just lengthen a person’s face. They also push out on the mouth and lips. When teeth are missing, this pushing will stop occurring. This can cause the lips and mouth to begin drawing inward and cause a shrunken, aged appearance. Dentures will once again promote the outward push of the mouth. This will make the lips look full once again, which people usually associate with youth.

What about the smile itself?

Missing teeth, whether one or several, can cause people to feel embarrassed about the way their smile looks. It can lead to them feeling uncomfortable giving an open-mouthed smile in front of other people or even lead to discomfort when speaking in public. Dentures will provide artificial teeth and restore a smile to a more natural appearance.

Dentures can be more aesthetically pleasing

You might be more concerned about the way your face and mouth look than the functionality of your smile. Luckily, dentures can provide a solution to both. Dentists may recommend them for improving your speech and chewing capabilities and for improving your appearance. If you are interested in dentures for any reason, it is time to talk to a dentist about replacing your missing teeth.

Request an appointment here: https://www.roderickgarciadmd.com or call Roderick A. Garcia, DMD PC at (505) 634-5029 for an appointment in our Albuquerque office.

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