Dentures are removable prosthetic devices designed to replace missing teeth and maintain the integrity of the oral structures. They must be worn consistently, on a daily basis. Failing to wear these devices initiates a series of predictable, progressive negative changes within the mouth and jaw. This neglect sets the stage for structural deterioration that affects bone, remaining teeth, and overall facial appearance.
Accelerated Jawbone Resorption
The jawbone, specifically the alveolar ridge, requires physical stimulation to maintain its density and volume. This stimulation is normally provided by the roots of natural teeth during chewing. When teeth are lost, this mechanical signal disappears, and the body begins to resorb the unused bone mass in a process called atrophy.
Consistently leaving dentures out accelerates this bone shrinkage significantly, even though well-fitting dentures provide some secondary stimulation. This bone loss is chronic and progressive, causing the ridge to flatten and narrow over time.
This structural reduction is irreversible and gradually eliminates the stable foundation necessary for supporting any dental prosthetic. As the underlying bone structure shrinks, future attempts to fit a denture or consider alternative treatments like implants become increasingly complicated and costly.
Shifting of Remaining Natural Teeth
Patients who wear partial dentures or a single full denture face complications when the prosthetic is habitually left out. Teeth naturally tend to migrate or drift when adjacent or opposing dental structures are missing. The purpose of the partial denture is to occupy the empty space and prevent this movement.
Without the consistent presence of the denture, remaining natural teeth begin to tilt or rotate into the open gaps. Furthermore, teeth in the opposing arch may over-erupt, growing out of the socket until they meet resistance. This shifting completely alters the patient’s natural bite, or occlusion.
Once the bite has changed and the adjacent teeth have moved, the original denture is physically unable to seat properly. The altered alignment can also create new areas for food impaction and plaque accumulation, increasing the risk of decay and gum disease for the remaining teeth.
Compromised Denture Fit and Function
The ongoing change in the jaw’s anatomy directly impacts the prosthetic device itself. As the alveolar ridge shrinks due to accelerated resorption, the contours of the mouth no longer match the shape of the denture base. This loss of contact leads to a compromised fit, causing the denture to become unstable and loose.
An ill-fitting denture moves excessively during speech and eating, resulting in friction against the underlying gum tissue. This rubbing causes painful sore spots, irritation, and accelerates bone degradation in pressure areas. Functionally, the instability impairs chewing efficiency, leading to difficulties in nutrition and digestion.
The lack of stability also affects speech, as the tongue relies on the fixed position of the denture for correct sound articulation. To restore a secure fit and eliminate discomfort, the denture will require frequent relines (adjustments to the base) or eventually a complete and costly replacement.
Changes to Facial Aesthetics
The structural changes occurring in the jawbone have a visible effect on external facial appearance. The jawbone provides foundational support for the overlying soft tissues, including the lips, cheeks, and facial muscles. As the bone mass deteriorates, the lower third of the face begins to collapse inward.
This facial collapse results in a noticeably aged appearance where the cheeks appear sunken and the lips lose support, becoming thinner. The vertical dimension of the lower face shortens, giving the impression that the nose and chin are drawing closer together. Increased wrinkling and folds become pronounced around the mouth.
Regularly wearing a properly fitted denture helps restore and maintain the correct facial height and support the perioral muscles. When the denture is neglected, the progressive loss of bone and soft tissue contributes to these aesthetic consequences, altering the facial profile.