Yes, you can get dentures if you have no teeth. The complete loss of all natural teeth, a condition known as edentulism, is the primary reason these prosthetic devices were created. Complete dentures are the established restorative solution designed to replace every tooth in an arch, whether upper, lower, or both. They are the standard approach for patients seeking to restore function and appearance after full tooth loss.
Confirmation of Complete Dentures
Complete dentures are prosthetic appliances that replace all missing teeth and the surrounding gum tissue in an entire arch of the mouth. These custom-made devices rest directly on the gum ridge and the underlying jawbone for support. They are constructed with acrylic teeth set into a gum-colored acrylic base that mimics the look of natural tissue.
For the upper jaw, the denture base covers the palate, creating a seal that relies on suction and adhesion for retention. The lower jaw presents a greater challenge because the denture has less surface area and must contend with muscle movements from the tongue and cheeks. While adhesives can be used for added security, the overall stability of conventional lower dentures is lower than that of the upper arch.
Assessing Bone Structure and Gum Health
While the absence of teeth is the primary requirement for a complete denture, successful placement and stability depend heavily on the underlying oral anatomy. The health and shape of the residual alveolar ridge—the jawbone structure that once held the tooth sockets—are important. The denture base needs a sufficiently wide and high ridge to rest upon securely and comfortably.
After a tooth is lost, the jawbone that once supported the root begins to deteriorate in a process called bone resorption. Since the tooth root no longer stimulates the bone, the body stops maintaining that tissue, causing the jawbone to shrink over time. Traditional dentures that sit on the gums do not stop this process and may even accelerate bone loss by placing pressure on the tissue during chewing. This gradual loss of bone means dentures will eventually become loose and ill-fitting, requiring periodic adjustments or relining.
Denture Systems for Full Tooth Loss
Patients facing full tooth loss have several system options, differing in stability, timeline, and long-term implications for the jawbone. The most traditional approach is the Conventional Denture. This type is created only after the gums and jaw tissues have completely healed following any necessary tooth extractions. This healing period typically takes between 8 to 12 weeks, ensuring the final denture fits the stable, healed contours of the mouth.
A second option is the Immediate Denture, which is fabricated before the teeth are removed and placed immediately after the extractions. Immediate dentures serve as a temporary solution, allowing the patient to avoid being without teeth during the healing phase. Because the jawbone and gums change shape rapidly as they heal, this type of denture requires frequent adjustments and relines over the following months to maintain a reasonable fit.
The third, and often most stable, solution is the Implant-Supported Overdenture, which combines a denture with dental implants. This system involves surgically placing a small number of titanium posts into the jawbone, which act as artificial tooth roots. The denture is custom-made to clip or snap onto these implants, offering superior retention compared to traditional suction-held dentures. Furthermore, these implants stimulate the jawbone, helping to prevent the bone resorption that occurs with conventional dentures.
The Fabrication and Adjustment Timeline
The creation of a custom-fitted complete denture is a multi-stage process requiring several appointments over a period of weeks. The procedure begins with the dental professional taking detailed impressions of the mouth to create precise molds of the jaw ridge. These initial molds allow for the fabrication of custom trays used to capture even more accurate impressions of the oral tissues.
Next, the dental lab creates a wax model of the denture, complete with the artificial teeth set in place. The patient attends a try-in appointment to evaluate the fit, confirm the proper bite alignment, and approve the aesthetic appearance. This iterative refinement ensures the final acrylic prosthesis will function correctly and look natural. The entire fabrication process for a conventional denture typically spans 4 to 12 weeks. Once the final appliance is delivered, follow-up appointments are necessary for minor adjustments to address any pressure spots or discomfort as the patient adapts to wearing the new prosthesis.