One of the questions we often get from those considering dentures is:
“Do dentures change the shape of my face?”
It is an understandable question, as a small change in your face can be quite noticeable, no matter how subtle the change.
Join us as we dive into this topic and answer any questions you may have.
Will my face change with dentures?
Yes, your face may change slightly with dentures.
They can have an impact on the contours of your face, because the way your teeth sit in your mouth provide support and structure for the muscles in your face as well as giving volume around your jaw.
However, with high-quality and well-fitted dentures the appearance of your face will likely improve, as you get a fuller smile and combat the formation of wrinkles.
Dentures change your face and combat ageing by:
- Reducing lines around the mouth and face
- Increasing fullness of the lips
- Defining the cheekbones
- Tightening and strengthening facial muscles
- Increasing blood flow to the skin making it more radiant, healthy and smoother
- Strengthening and firming the jawline and neck
How will I look with dentures?
It is a common misconception that dentures make the wearer look older. In fact, dentures can make you look younger and healthier by supporting the bone structure of the face and helping you to regain muscle tone around the face and neck. Although the primary function of dentures is not for aesthetics, they can provide several benefits in helping the wearer look healthier.
Do dentures give you a sunken face or ‘witchy’ look?
Older or incorrectly made dentures can allow the lower jaw to travel too far when closing the back teeth – leading to a protruding upper jaw that gives you a sunken denture face, sometimes called a ‘witchy’ look. Too short or poorly fitting dentures may also give you a sunken face by causing your lips and cheeks to fold in and jaw bones to deteriorate.
New dentures can realign the jaw and give you a facelift that rectify these issues.
Staying confident with dentures
Just as important, or perhaps even more so, is the impact of dentures on your confidence.
Having a healthy-looking mouth full of beautiful teeth, you will undoubtedly have a more confident & perfect smile.
They can help restore your smile, and the impact of a smile on the way you carry yourself cannot be understated.
If you are finding yourself worrying about the way your teeth look, or are hiding your smile because of a few missing teeth, then dentures can assist.
How can I maintain my appearance with dentures?
It is normal for the fit of your dentures to change over time as the bone mass in your mouth reduces and changes the shape of your gums. As highlighted above, poor fitting dentures can lead to a poor appearance and sunken face (as well as discomfort and health issues). It’s important that you have a regular dental check up for your dentures and get new dentures at least every 5 years.
Read more: How can you extend the life of your dentures?
Concerned about how dentures change your appearance? We recommend that you come to see us at any one of our denture clinics in Nottingham, Newark and Mansfield for a free denture consultation to assess your options and decide where to go next.