Dentures and Bone Loss:

Most people don`t realise that when a denture is worn it places pressure on the gums and the bone and leads to accelerated bone loss in the jaws. When a tooth is lost the dental jaw bone no longer gets the stimulation from chewing that it gets when a tooth or an implant is present. A denture bangs down on the gum and this adverse pressure causes bone loss to occur faster than if there is no denture in the area. It is for this reason that we rarely recommend a denture as the treatment of choice particularly in the long term.

Dentures also make it harder to clean the teeth and there tends to be more plaque related gum disease and tooth decay in denture wearers.

The images below demonstrate the bone loss that occurs when dentures are worn over a prolonged period of time.

 This is the lower jaw in profile. Note the bone levels.

 Once the teeth are lost there is no longer any positive stimulation to the bone and it is lost through atrophy. This is similar to the loss of muscle when your arm is in a cast.

  As much as 50% of the bone can be lost in the first year after tooth loss. This is why it is important to replace missing teeth with implants as soon as possible.

  Placement of a traditional denture temporarily replaces the missing teeth and gum. However as the bone loss is accelerated the dentures require replacement on average every 3 years. Each time they are replaced they get larger and sit on less bone. This is why dentures tend to become more problematic over time and why many people can`t tolerate them in the end.

  The bone loss continues.

  The dentures get larger as the bone loss continues and they become more uncomfortable.

  The bone loss continues.

  The denture is increased in size to allow for the lost gum and bone.

  More bone is lost over time.

  The denture becomes harder to wear as it is larger and looser. Alot of bone has been lost and the gum gets more irritated from the extra movement. At this stage many people can no longer tolerate dentures and either stop eating solid foods or look at the options of dental implants. Dental implants can be performed with bone grafting at this stage but it is much better to get them done while the bone is still there.

Partial Denture Bone Loss:

The pictures above show the effects of a partial denture on the jaw bone. Just like a full denture the bone melts away as it is being constantly pressed upon.

Partial dentures also lead to bone loss as they too put undesirable pressure on the gum. If the denture has clasps on the teeth it can loosen them over time or lead to decay and gum disease. A dental implant will help maintain the bone whereas a denture will encourage bone loss.