How Dentures Impact Facial Structure and Appearance

Most people don’t expect it, but losing teeth slowly changes your face. It’s not just about gaps in your smile — the bones, muscles, and soft tissues of your face all begin to shift.

Over time, cheeks hollow out, lips thin, and what used to be your natural profile starts to collapse inward.

We help rectify this problem at Saberton every single day. And, the changes are not necessarily permanent if treated as soon as possible.

The right dentures, ones that actually fit your face, not just your mouth, can restore a surprising amount of facial support and confidence.

Emotional & Confidence Benefits of Dentures

This part gets overlooked, but we think it’s the most important.

When your face feels like you again, everything changes.

You smile more.

You speak without holding back.

You stop avoiding mirrors or dreading family photos.

We’ve had patients tell us that weeks after getting new dentures, that friends ask if they got "work done". They didn’t. They just got their face back!

Facial support isn’t about vanity. It’s about identity, comfort, and being able to move through the world with confidence.

Why Missing Teeth Change Your Face

Your teeth do more than chew. They’re part of your facial foundation — a support system that holds up lips, cheeks, and jaw muscles. Once that support disappears, your face has to work harder to keep its shape. Spoiler: it doesn’t do a great job on its own.

Here’s what really happens:

• Lips fold inward because there's nothing pushing them out.
• Cheeks start to sag, especially around the mid-face and jawline.
• The lower half of the face collapses vertically, which can make your chin look too close to your nose.
  

What’s behind all this? Mostly bone resorption. After tooth loss, your jawbone starts shrinking.

The body decides it doesn’t need to maintain bone where teeth used to be. This shrinkage pulls everything downward, often making people look years older than they feel.

How Well-Fitted Dentures Restore Facial Shape

This is where dentures come in, and no, not just any dentures.

A properly made set doesn’t just replace teeth. It brings back facial structure. Here’s how:

• Restores vertical dimension: Your mouth can over-close without teeth, collapsing the lower face. Dentures add height back — and with it, balance.
• Supports lips and cheeks: Dentures help fill out sunken areas, giving you back natural volume without looking overdone.
• Improves symmetry and jaw alignment: Subtle adjustments in denture shape can shift your entire facial balance back toward centre.

Some people feel that they look even better with a high-quality denture than they did before they lost their teeth!

That’s how much of a difference proper support can make.

The Role of Denture Fit and Type

Fit isn’t just about comfort. A denture that’s too loose or bulky can actually distort your face more than missing teeth.

Here’s what to think about:

Complete vs. Partial Dentures

• Complete dentures (full upper or lower sets) have the biggest structural impact. They create the whole foundation when no natural teeth remain.
• Partial dentures, while smaller, still keep nearby teeth from shifting and help preserve facial spacing, especially around the cheeks.
  

Traditional vs. Implant-Supported Dentures

• Traditional dentures rest on your gums. They rely on suction and fit alone to stay in place.
• Implant-supported dentures lock into posts anchored in the jaw. This setup stimulates bone and helps prevent the shrinkage that leads to facial collapse.
  

Put simply, the more secure the denture, the more facial structure it supports.

That’s why many patients explore implants after dealing with loose dentures for years.

Common Problems with Poorly Fitted Dentures

We’ve seen it more times than we can count: someone comes in with dentures that technically "fit" — but their face says otherwise.

Poorly fitted dentures can lead to:

• More bone loss over time, especially if they don’t distribute pressure evenly.
• Sunken cheeks and wrinkles around the mouth, often from lack of internal support.
• Jaw strain, chewing difficulty, and even speech problems, all of which subtly shift how your face moves and rests.

In some cases, the wrong denture can actually age your appearance more than missing teeth alone.

That’s why ongoing fit adjustments matter as much as the original denture design.

Tips for Ensuring a Natural Look

Want your dentures to support your face, not fight it? Start here:

• Get regular relines: Your mouth changes shape, especially in the first few years. A reline keeps things fitting (and looking) right.
• Think about implants: If stability is an issue, or if you want to protect your jawbone long-term, implant-supported options are worth discussing.
• Hydrate and eat well: Dehydration and poor nutrition can make your face look more drawn, even with good dentures.
• Do facial exercises: Light jaw and cheek movements can maintain muscle tone. It’s not magic, but it helps.‍
• See your denturist regularly: Don’t wait until something feels “off.” A subtle shift in fit can mean a major change in appearance down the road.
  

Here's what you need to do:

If you’ve noticed your face changing — cheeks sinking, wrinkles deepening, smile fading — it’s not just age. It could be your teeth (or lack of them).

Well-made dentures can help restore what’s been lost. Not just in how you chew, but in how you look and feel. Saberton’s here to make that possible, with care that’s designed for real life

Book Your Free Consultation

Book your free consultation today and let Saberton help you rediscover your smile, including how the Canadian Dental Care Plan may be able to help make this easier than ever!

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• Denture Services at Saberton
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