| After
years of comfortably wearing dentures, you may find that your dentures
don't fit the way they once did. Advances in surgical procedures and materials
now allow oral and maxillofacial surgeons to help the patient without teeth
to eat, speak and smile without worrying about slipping or uncomfortable
dentures.
Over time, the shape and size of the jawbone changes, beginning at the time that a tooth is lost. These changes can result in dentures that slip and click, and even cause pain. The irritation caused by ill-fitting dentures can cause further changes in the bone or the gum tissues. After years of shrinkage, many patients are left without enough jawbone to support dentures at all. Treatment Options Exist Oral and maxillofacial surgeons have developed many procedures for treating the patient without teeth who suffers with the social and physical problems caused by ill-fitting dentures. Your oral surgeon will explore these options with you before deciding on a treatment plan. If shrinkage of the jawbone has taken place and some ridge height and width remains, the oral surgeon may use a bone substitute, hydroxylapatite, to build up the jawbone. Depending on the degree of shrinkage, this treatment sometimes can be completed in the office. In cases of severe shrinkage, your oral surgeon may recommend a bone graft. This procedure uses bone from the hip or rib and requires general anesthesia and hospitalization. Another treatment option which your oral surgeon may consider is called a vestibuloplasty. If enough jawbone remains below the muscle attachments of the lip, cheeks and tongue, firm tissue can be grafted over the bone to provide a larger ridge. This usually requires taking tissue from the roof of the mouth or thigh. After careful evaluation
of your problem, the oral surgeon may decide that an implant is necessary
to restore proper function.
Many people stop going to their dentist after dentures are fitted. Regular checkups are still the best insurance that your mouth is healthy. Changes in the gums and jawbone can occur under a denture, especially as a result of chronic irritation. Overgrowth of tissues in some areas, or sores on the gum, are also common. In addition, your dentist or oral surgeon will sometimes see early warning signs of generalized disease. It is also important to be aware of changes in oral tissue due to cigarette smoking or alcohol consumption so that alterations in these habits can prevent future problems. Exploring your options with your dentist and oral maxillofacial surgeon will allow you to function without worrying about your dentures and will preserve the health of your mouth. |