People typically associate dentures with seniors, and there are a few reasons for this. Older people tend to experience more gum disease and deal with more wear and tear on their teeth, which often makes tooth replacement necessary. However, you may not be aware that many younger adults who have lost teeth can also be excellent denture candidates. Here’s a brief guide to how dentures work and how they can help adults of any age.
Am I Too Young for Dentures?
Dentures are more common among senior citizens for a number of reasons, a few of those being:
- Periodontitis: Older people are often more vulnerable to gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss.
- Accumulated damage: Years of normal use and occasional injuries can weaken dental enamel and leave teeth more vulnerable to infection.
- Bad habits: Many seniors have smoked, drank excessively, or neglected their dental hygiene for decades, which can make tooth loss more likely.
While many seniors have dentures, the truth is that dentures can be a great tooth replacement solution for adults of any age. Many younger people lose teeth due to sporting injuries, and plenty of athletes wear lifelike dentures to complete their smiles. Younger people can also lose teeth due to sickness, poor oral hygiene, and using their teeth as tools.
Am I a Good Candidate for Dentures?
Almost anyone with tooth loss can be an excellent candidate for dentures. While partial dentures can be used to replace a single tooth, they are usually used to replace two or more in a row or throughout the mouth. A full denture, on the other hand, can replace a full row of missing teeth. If your jawbone is fully developed (which usually happens in the early twenties), you may also be able to secure your dentures with dental implants to ensure that they stay in place, exert maximum chewing force, and preserve the health of your jaw.
How Can I Get Dentures?
Each set of dentures is carefully manufactured according to precise measurements to ensure an excellent fit, optimal comfort, and a lifelike appearance. After you are approved for the treatment, your dentist will begin the process by taking impressions of your bite and sending them to a trusted dental lab. There, a skilled technician will build a working model of your new dentures, and they’ll be sent back to your dentist so you can try them on.
After you and your dentist approve the appliance, it will be sent back to the lab for finalization. After you receive your completed appliance, your dentist will check its fit and appearance. You’ll be ready to show off your new smile after any final adjustments.
Dentures can be a great way for younger adults to replace lost teeth, and they are so comfortable that the people wearing them often forget that they’re there. Consulting with your dentist can help you find the best way to complete your smile.
About the Author
Dr. David M. Fisher earned his dental degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and continues to further his education with postgraduate coursework. He takes great joy in helping people improve their smiles as well as their self-image. His office in Greensboro offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as denture services. To schedule your denture consultation, contact his office online or dial (336) 288-1242.