Dentures should be made to fit precisely into the optimal position for your jaw, facial and neck muscles, and teeth. This is to ensure that you can chew effectively and speak clearly. The emphasis on form and function can help your dentures be as comfortable and natural looking as possible.
With or without teeth, your mouth can change slowly as you get older. If you have no teeth, on average you lose 1/3 mm of jawbone height each year. As your jawbone shrinks, so do your gum tissues (ridges). Ridges can shrink up to a 1/4-inch over a ten-year period. When this happens, some facial support is lost. This is why people with no teeth often have deep wrinkles around the mouth and a sunken look to their cheeks and lower face. No matter what your age, tooth loss and dental hygiene problems can negatively impact your life.