It's a question many patients ask us: "Will dentures change my face?" The answer is yes, but not in the way you might think. Dentures play a crucial role in supporting your facial structure, and understanding their impact over time is key to maintaining a natural, youthful appearance. The Role of Teeth and Bone Loss When we have a full set of natural teeth, they provide a framework that supports our cheeks and lips. More importantly, the roots of our teeth stimulate the jawbone. This stimulation is essential for maintaining bone density. When teeth are lost, this stimulation ceases, and the jawbone begins to resorb, or shrink. This process is called bone atrophy, and it's the primary cause of facial changes after tooth loss. As the jawbone shrinks, it can lead to several noticeable changes in your facial appearance: Sunken Cheeks and Lips : The lack of support from the underlying bone can cause your cheeks and lips to appear sunken. Protruding Chin : The jawbone's recession can make your chin look more prominent or pointed. Wrinkles : Lines and wrinkles may form around the mouth and lower face, often referred to as a "pin-cushion" appearance. Changes to Facial Height : The distance between your nose and chin can decrease, giving your face a compressed or older look. How Dentures Help Dentures are designed to fill the spaces left by missing teeth and provide the necessary support for your facial muscles. By doing this, they can restore a more natural and youthful look. However, it's important to understand that dentures, particularly conventional ones, do not stop the underlying bone atrophy. While they act as a fantastic cosmetic and functional solution, the jawbone will continue to resorb over time. This gradual bone loss means your dentures, which were once a perfect fit, will eventually become loose. You might notice them slipping, clicking, or causing sore spots. This is a sign that your dentures no longer fit the changing shape of your mouth. The Importance of Regular Relines and Adjustments To combat these changes and maintain a proper fit, relining your dentures is essential. A denture reline involves adding a new layer of acrylic to the inside of the denture to refit it to the new contours of your gums. Regular adjustments and relines ensure your dentures remain comfortable and effective at supporting your facial structure. If the bone loss is significant, a new set of dentures may be necessary to restore optimal fit and appearance. Our denturists at Sullivan Denture Centre are experts at evaluating your jaw and facial structure to ensure your dentures are always providing the best possible support.  The Ultimate Solution: Implant-Supported Dentures For those who want to prevent further bone loss, i mplant-supported dentures are the most effective solution. Dental implants are small titanium posts surgically placed into the jawbone. These implants act like artificial tooth roots, providing the stimulation necessary to preserve bone density. By anchoring dentures to implants, you not only gain superior stability and chewing power but also address the root cause of facial changes by stopping or significantly slowing down bone atrophy. At Sullivan Denture Centre in Surrey, British Columbia, we are dedicated to helping you achieve and maintain a healthy, natural-looking smile. Whether you need new conventional dentures, a reline, or want to explore the benefits of implant-supported dentures, our team is here to guide you.

Living with dentures can be a truly transformative experience, restoring your smile and your confidence. However, it's not uncommon to encounter a few bumps along the road. The good news is that most of these problems have straightforward and effective solutions. Here at Sullivan Denture Centre in Surrey, we believe that understanding the "why" behind these issues is the first step to finding the right "how." Let's dive into some of the most common denture problems we hear about and how we can help you find lasting relief. Problem: My Dentures Are Clicking or Making a Noise This is a common problem. The sound of clicking can be a sign that your dentures are not fitting properly, especially when you are eating or speaking. Cause: The clicking sound is typically a result of dentures that are too loose, or a bite that is improperly aligned. When you talk or chew, your upper and lower dentures might be hitting against each other, causing the audible click. Solution: This is not a problem that can be fixed at home. A professional denturist needs to evaluate the fit and your bite. We can adjust the way your upper and lower dentures meet, ensuring they align correctly and fit securely, which will eliminate the clicking sound and restore your confidence. Problem: My Dentures Are Slipping or Feeling Loose Over time, you might notice your dentures feel less secure than they once did. This feeling of looseness can be frustrating, affecting your ability to eat and speak comfortably. Cause: The shape of your mouth naturally changes over time. Your jawbone and gum ridges can shrink, which means your once perfectly fitting dentures no longer have the same snug foundation. This is a normal part of the aging process and is the most common reason for slipping. Solution: While denture adhesives can offer a temporary fix, they are not a long-term solution. A professional denture reline is often the answer. This is a procedure where we add a new base material to the underside of your existing dentures, refitting them to the current contours of your mouth. In some cases, if the dentures are old or significantly ill-fitting, a new set may be recommended to provide the best possible fit and function.