Depending on the degree of shrinkage, this treatment sometimes can be completed in the office. Another treatment option which your oral and maxillofacial surgeon may consider is called a vestibuloplasty. If enough jawbone remains below the muscle attachments of the lip, cheeks and tongue, firm tissue can be grafted over the bone to provide a larger ridge. This usually requires taking tissue from the roof of the mouth or thigh. After careful evaluation of your problem, the oral and maxillofacial surgeon may decide that implants are necessary to support a denture and restore proper function.
Many people stop going to their dentist after dentures are fitted.
Regular check-ups are still the best insurance that your mouth is healthy. Changes in the gums and jawbone can occur under a denture, especially as a result of chronic irritation. Overgrowth of tissues in some areas, or sores on the gum, is also common. In addition, your dentist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon will sometimes see early warning signs of generalized disease. It is also important to be aware of changes in oral tissue due to cigarette smoking or alcohol consumption so that alterations in these habits can prevent future problems.