Though there are patients who do fine with their dentures, many people hate them. So what is it that makes dentures so uncomfortable?
Some of the Problems Caused by Dentures
Your Chewing Efficiency Will Be Reduced
No matter how well-fitting your dentures are, your chewing efficiency will be reduced by at least 50%. There are several factors that lead to this. Dentures tend to move around. The uppers are held in by suction which gives them a little bit of stability. The lowers, however, just rest on the ridge of your jawbone. You have to train your cheeks and tongue to keep them in place. As you bite down, it is often difficult to get a stable bite.
If your dentures fit poorly, it becomes even more difficult to eat. Some patients are forced into a diet of nothing but soft foods. That not only makes life less pleasant, but can have a negative impact on your health.
They Can Fall Out
Your dentures basically float in your mouth, especially when you speak. The fact that they are removable means that they can come out. That can happen at the most inopportune times, such as in public. They tend to be more stable at the beginning, but as time goes by and your jawbone shrinks, they move and slip more and more.
Your Jawbone Will Shrink
This is the most serious issue with dentures. Eventually, it will lead to a condition known as facial collapse. When your teeth are first removed, your body receives a signal that your jawbone is no longer needed. As a result, it begins to reabsorb the minerals from the bone to use in other parts of your body. Once your jawbone begins to shrink, your dentures will not fit as well.
The first year or two after your teeth are extracted, there is enough bone support to give the dentures some stability. Chewing efficiency is reduced only 50%. The more the minerals are reabsorbed, the smaller your jawbone gets. Over time you will get that shriveled look to your jaw that you see in the elderly who have no teeth. Eventually, there won’t be enough jawbone left to support your dentures and your chewing efficiency will be almost completely gone, leaving you a dental cripple, unable to properly chew.
The Solution to Problems With Dentures
The way to prevent these problems is with a different tooth replacement solution. Click here to learn more about preventing these issues with dental implants.