Yes, dentures can change how your face looks. Dentures that fit well support your lips and cheeks, while loose or worn dentures can make your face look sunken. This is called denture face, and it can cause thinner lips, deeper wrinkles around your mouth, and a shorter-looking face.
Your jawbone also slowly shrinks after you lose teeth, which can change your face over time. The good news is that well-made dentures and regular adjustments can help you keep a more natural look.
Key Takeaways
- Your upper lip may stick out if your dentures are too bulky or the front teeth are placed too far forward.
- The fastest jawbone loss usually happens during the first year after tooth removal, then slows down over time.
- Loose dentures may need a reline, while worn denture teeth or changes in bite height may require new dentures.
- Implant-supported dentures can improve stability and help preserve jawbone around the implants.
- Facial exercises cannot rebuild lost jawbone or restore the height of your bite, even if they help improve cheek fullness.
Denture Face: What It Looks Like
A denture face happens when the lower part of your face loses support. It can happen because your dentures are worn down or no longer fit well. Your mouth and chin may look closer together, and your face can appear older or more sunken.
Common signs include:
- Thinner upper lip: Your upper lip loses support and may fold inward.
- Deeper wrinkles: Lines become more noticeable around the corners of your mouth and below your lower lip.
- Chin sticking out: Your chin moves upward and forward, making the lower part of your face look shorter.
- Sunken cheeks: Your cheeks look hollow or flatter because they have less support.
The changes in the face can go from barely noticeable to more pronounced. It all depends on your denture fit, how much jawbone you’ve lost, and how long you’ve been without natural teeth. But with well-made dentures, you can restore much of the support your face has lost.
You can see more before-and-after denture photos here.
Monkey Mouth: When Dentures Are Too Bulky
Monkey mouth is a term people use when dentures make the area around their lips look too full or pushed forward. This can happen when the denture is too bulky, or the front teeth are placed too far forward.
You may notice that your upper lip sticks out more than usual or that you have trouble closing your lips comfortably. In some cases, dentures can hold your jaws too far apart and also make it harder to bring your lips together.
When you first get dentures, they may feel strange or make your lips feel fuller than usual. This is normal, and many people experience it as they adjust to their new dentures. However, if your lips look pushed out or you have to strain to close your mouth, your dentist should check the fit and position of your dentures.
Most people start getting used to their new dentures within 2 to 4 weeks, although adjusting can take longer.
Why Dentures Change Your Face
Your face changes because the jawbone that once held your teeth slowly shrinks after tooth loss. This process is called bone resorption, and regular dentures can’t stop it because they rest on your gums instead of replacing your tooth roots.
The lower jaw usually loses bone faster than the upper jaw. As the bone shrinks, your dentures may sit lower on your gums, and your upper and lower jaws move closer together when you bite.
Over time, these changes can affect your vertical dimension, which is the height of the lower part of your face when your teeth are together. Your face may look shorter, your chin may move upward and forward, and wrinkles around your mouth may become deeper.
Denture teeth also wear down with years of use, which can reduce the height of your bite even more. This is why dentures that once supported your face well may need adjustments or replacement as time passes.
Why You Lose Your Top Lip With Dentures
Your upper lip gets much of its support from your upper front teeth and the bone around them. When you lose those teeth, the bone begins to shrink, and your upper lip may look thinner or fold inward.
Dentures can help restore this support, but the position of the front teeth is crucial. If they’re set too far back or the denture doesn’t provide enough support behind your lip, your upper lip may still look flat or sunken.
A dentist can check the position of your denture teeth and the shape of the denture to see whether an adjustment or replacement could improve your lip support.
How Your Face Changes Over Time With Dentures
The biggest changes to your jawbone usually happen during the first year after tooth loss. Bone loss then slows down, but it continues over time. As your gums and jawbone change, your dentures may become loose and provide less support for your face.
Here’s what you can expect:
| Timeframe | What you may notice | What to do |
| First few weeks | Your lips may feel fuller than usual, and speaking or chewing may feel different. | Give yourself time to adjust. Tell your dentist about sore spots or fullness that doesn’t improve. |
| First year | Your jawbone shrinks fastest after tooth removal, and your dentures may start to feel loose. | Get regular fit checks and have your dentures relined when needed. |
| Year 2 onward | Bone loss continues more slowly, denture teeth wear down, and your lower face may look shorter. | Ask about relining, replacing worn dentures, or implant-supported options. |
Will your face go back to normal? The extra fullness you notice with new dentures often becomes less noticeable as you adjust. However, a lost jawbone does not grow back on its own.
Well-fitting dentures can help restore support to your lips and cheeks, so wearing dentures doesn’t automatically mean you’ll look older. Regular dental visits help your dentist catch changes in fit before they affect your appearance.
How to Avoid Denture Face
You can help prevent a sunken face by wearing dentures that fit well. Regular dentures can’t stop jawbone loss, but the right fit and timely adjustments can help you maintain a fuller appearance.
Here are five ways to reduce the changes in your face:
- Choose dentures that support your face. Dentures should restore the height of your bite and support your lips without pushing them too far forward. We recommend that you check out New You Dentures.
- Get regular fit checks. A reline reshapes the inside of your denture to fit your gums better. In some cases, a remake may be needed if the teeth are worn or your bite has changed.
- Replace worn dentures. Denture teeth gradually wear down from chewing. As they lose height, your jaws can move closer together and affect the appearance.
- Ask about implant-supported dentures. Dental implants help preserve bone around the implants. They also hold dentures more securely, which can help maintain a stable bite. However, bone loss can still occur in areas without implants.
- Take your dentures out at night. Sleeping without dentures gives your gums a break from constant pressure and may reduce irritation and inflammation. This small habit can help protect your gum health.
Do Facial Exercises Prevent Denture Face?
Facial exercises can’t rebuild the jawbone or replace lost tooth height, which is what drives denture face. One 2018 study found daily exercises made middle-aged women’s cheeks look slightly fuller, but it looked at general aging, not denture wearers.
Facial muscles do affect how your cheeks and lips look, but exercises can’t correct dentures that sit too low or no longer support your face. If you notice a sunken appearance, have your dentist check your denture fit and bite height.
How to Fix Denture Face
If your face already looks sunken from wearing dentures, new dentures can help restore lost facial height and give your lips and cheeks more support. If you’ve lost a lot of jawbone, dental implants or bone grafting may also be needed.
The best treatment depends on how much your jawbone has changed and whether your current dentures still fit properly.
- Denture relining: If your dentures are loose but the teeth and bite height are still good, a reline can improve how they fit.
- New dentures: If your dentures are worn down or your lower face looks shorter, new dentures can restore the proper distance between your upper and lower jaws. This may improve lip support, reduce the sunken look around your mouth, and help your chin look less prominent. A 2002 study published in the British Dental Journal found that increasing bite height improved facial appearance.
- Implant-supported dentures: Dental implants provide a more stable base for dentures, especially when the jawbone has shrunk. They can also help preserve bone around the implants.
- Bone grafting: If there isn’t enough bone to support implants, your dentist may recommend a bone graft to build up certain areas of your jaw.
You can explore our Facelift Dentistry options and see before-and-after denture photos to understand what different treatments may achieve.
Final Thoughts: Do Dentures Change Your Face?
Yes, dentures can change your face, but properly fitted dentures can help maintain a fuller appearance. If your face looks sunken, your lips seem thinner, or your dentures feel loose, restoring the right bite height and facial support may improve how you look.
At Marlen Elite Dental Wellness, Dr. Martirossian can evaluate your denture fit, bite, and facial support to recommend the best treatment for your needs. Book a consultation to discuss your options.
FAQ
Can You Tell if Someone Is Wearing Dentures?
Usually, you can’t tell if someone is wearing dentures when they fit well. Dentures may look less natural if the teeth are too large, too straight, or too uniform. Bulky dentures that push the lips forward or slip when speaking can also make them more noticeable.
Can You Still Be Attractive With Dentures?
Yes, you can still have an attractive smile with dentures. The key is choosing teeth that suit your face, including the right shade, shape, and size.
What Type of Dentures Look the Most Realistic?
Custom-made dentures often look the most realistic. The dentist chooses the shape, size, and position of each tooth to match your face. Natural-looking gum colors and slight differences between teeth can also make your smile look more lifelike.
Implant-supported dentures offer extra stability, so they’re less likely to move when you eat or speak. At Marlen Elite Dental Wellness, New You Dentures are designed with your facial features and smile in mind.
