My face sags with dentures and at this point in my life I am not sure what to do about it. I have worn dentures since 1985. I needed them younger in life than most people. My face sags even when I am wearing the dentures. It makes me look 20 years older than I am. I have some good friends who are encouraging about it but I can see their eyes drifting toward my face when they talk to me. I look horrible. I got my latest set of dentures early. They are supposed to be dentures that give you a facelift but they are not helping me at all. Are there other types of dentures out there that might improve my appearance at least a little? – Yila
Yila – Your jawbone shrinks when your teeth are missing. You’ve been wearing dentures for over 30 years, so as you have described it, you have significant jawbone shrinkage. The bone structure is needed to support your facial muscles and prevent sagging.
It is unlikely that any denture will be able to improve your facial sagging. But bone grafting will help. Grafting builds up your jawbone and provides support for your facial muscles. Your appearance will improve.
You can find a surgeon who provides grafting through an implant dentist. After your jawbone is built up, your dentures can be supported with dental implants. Dental implants stimulate jawbone and prevent shrinkage. Facial collapse should no longer be an issue after that.
All patients who receive dentures should consider having them stabilized with dental implants. If you can afford to do it, request six to eight implants to provide maximum support and the best preservation of your jawbone.
Be certain to find highly skilled implant dentists for grafting and stabilizing your dentures. It is possible that your current dentures can be modified to accommodate implants. If not, new dentures will be needed. Cosmetic dentures will prove you with the most natural-looking results.
This post is sponsored by the San Jose dentists of Hillsdale Dental Care.
