This is a question I hear from time to time in my practice, and it saddens me when I know there are better options that would add to the quality of life for my patient.
The assumption many people make is that pulling their teeth will eliminate all of their problems and they will have great teeth that they can eat with, and have no more discomfort or pain. Sadly, that is not usually the case.
Let’s explore the benefits of saving your teeth (as many as possible), and the consequences of removing them.
Many patients can do okay with an upper denture because there is suction created in the roof of the mouth to help keep a denture in place and somewhat stable. But when it comes to lower dentures this is not the case. The lower denture sits on the ridge of your lower jaw. People who have already lost some teeth, usually have very little ridge left due to bone loss. Because of this, there is very little to secure the lower denture. Patients find it slips around, they have difficulty eating and digesting food properly, and are embarrassed dealing with these things in front of others. They resort to adhesive to help secure the denture temporarily, or many times end up not wearing it at all.
Then there are sore spots and ulcers from dentures rubbing on the gum tissue. They can be painful and slow to heal. Unfortunately, the downside of having dentures is not realized until it is too late and the teeth have been removed. It is my hope, that all options are considered before removing all of the teeth. Many times some teeth, if not all of them, can be saved and a better option pursued.
Of course, there are some who are not able to salvage their teeth. In that case, we encourage them to consider just a few dental implants that can help secure a partial denture, while helping maintain bone. In addition, when dental implants are implanted in the jawbone they keep the bone cells stimulated, preventing the shrinkage and deterioration of the jaw. Patients avoid losing facial volume and don’t begin to look prematurely old due to having a sunken face.
Every patient is unique and has different habits and desires and needs. There was no one-size-fits-all treatment when it comes to replacing missing teeth. There are various treatment approaches which must be considered.
Before giving up on all of your teeth, I encourage you to speak with your dentist and consider all possible options. Dentistry has evolved over the years in great ways, and there are solutions that we did not have years ago. Of course, it is always our goal to help our patients keep their teeth for their lifetime.