Do Dentures Change the Shape of Your Face or Make You Look Older?
Do dentures change your face? Jawbone loss after tooth loss is real (29% to 63% of ridge width in 6 months), though new dentures can restore some lip support.
Written by Dr. Hans Almanzar, DDS, Gardens Implant & Cosmetic Dentistry, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Last reviewed October 13, 2026.
Quick answer
Losing teeth leads to jawbone loss, which can change lip and cheek support, and dentures do not stop that loss. A 2012 systematic review found horizontal bone loss of 29% to 63% within about six months of an extraction. New dentures can restore some lip support, and implants may slow further loss.
It is a fair worry. Many people fear that dentures will age them or hollow out their face. The facts are more nuanced. This guide covers what happens to bone after tooth loss, what dentures can and cannot do, how implant options compare, and what to ask before you decide.
Why does your face change after you lose teeth?
Your face changes after tooth loss mainly because the jawbone that held the roots begins to shrink. Cleveland Clinic says the jawbone gradually shrinks following tooth loss, which can lead to facial collapse such as sunken-in cheeks (Cleveland Clinic, 2023).
Bone that sits under the gums is called the alveolar ridge. When a tooth is removed, the ridge in that spot slowly narrows and gets shorter. The lips and cheeks rest on this framework. As it changes, they can lose support and the lower face can look shorter.
Aging affects the face for many reasons beyond teeth, so no one can say exactly how much of a change comes from bone alone.
How much bone do you lose after teeth are removed?
Most bone loss happens early. A 2012 systematic review in Clinical Oral Implants Research included 20 studies. Its human re-entry studies showed horizontal bone loss of 29% to 63% and vertical loss of 11% to 22% about six months after extraction, with rapid change in the first three to six months and slower change after (Tan et al., 2012).
Measure at about 6 months | Finding in Tan et al., 2012 |
Horizontal (width) bone loss | 29% to 63% |
Vertical (height) bone loss | 11% to 22% |
Average width reduction | About 3.8 mm |
Average height reduction (outer side) | About 1.2 mm |
Pattern over time | Fast in months 3 to 6, then gradual |
Two limits matter. These studies measured extraction sites, often single teeth, not full dentures. And averages hide wide differences between people. Your own loss may be smaller or larger.
Do dentures change the shape of your face?
Dentures can change facial shape in both directions. A worn or poorly fitted denture can contribute to a collapsed look, while a well-made one can add support back. A 2015 case report notes that long-term use of the same denture can lower the bite height through tooth wear and ridge shrinkage, which can affect appearance (Case Reports in Dentistry, 2015).
That paper describes vertical dimension, which is the height of the lower face when your teeth are closed. When it drops, the authors note, it can compromise appearance and lead to decreased facial height.
So the shape change usually comes from two things: the bone you have lost and a denture that no longer matches it. The second part can often be corrected.
Can new dentures restore facial support?
New complete dentures can restore some support to the lips and mouth area, according to one small study. A 2026 Journal of Clinical Medicine study scanned the faces of 30 patients with no teeth, first without dentures and then with new ones. It found measurable gains in lip support, mouth width and nose-to-lip profile (Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2026).
Examples from the study: upper lip thickness rose by about 1.3 mm and the nasolabial angle (the angle between the nose and upper lip) decreased by about 8 degrees. This was a small before-and-after study without a control group, and it measured shape rather than how old people looked. It supports the idea that denture design matters. It does not promise a particular result for you.
Do implants preserve bone better than conventional dentures?
Implants may preserve more bone than conventional dentures, but the evidence is still developing and varies by area of the jaw. Cleveland Clinic lists helping to prevent jawbone loss as a benefit of implant-supported dentures, because implants act like tooth roots (Cleveland Clinic, 2022).
A five-year study measured the back of the lower jaw. Height loss averaged 1.63 mm under conventional dentures and 0.69 mm under two-implant overdentures (Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants, 2003). A 2016 systematic review of 18 studies found that many reported bone preservation with implant restorations and others reported bone apposition, meaning added bone (Int J Implant Dent, 2016).
There is a caution. In an eight-year study of patients with a lower implant overdenture and an upper conventional denture, the upper jaw kept resorbing, with a median loss of 5% to 11% of original bone height in the front of the upper jaw from year 2 through year 8 (Int J Prosthodont, 2003). Implants help where they sit. They do not protect every part of the face.
How do denture and implant options compare?
The table below compares three common ways to replace all the teeth in one arch: conventional dentures, snap-in implant overdentures and fixed implant-supported dentures. It uses only the findings cited in this guide. Where we found no direct comparison, we say so.
Option | Bone stimulation | Stability | Maintenance |
Conventional denture | Rests on gums, no implant in the bone. Ridge keeps shrinking in many wearers (1.63 mm lower back jaw over 5 years in one study) | Can shift, wobble or slip, per Cleveland Clinic | Reline about every 1 to 2 years per Cleveland Clinic; adhesive may be needed |
Implant overdenture (snap-in) | Implants in the jaw. 0.69 mm loss in the same study | More stable than a traditional denture; no glue needed per Cleveland Clinic | Removed daily for cleaning; the overdenture is replaced every 15 to 20 years |
Fixed implant-supported denture | Implants in the jaw. We found no head-to-head data against overdentures | Attached to the implants | Daily cleaning and regular checkups; ask which parts wear over time |
For a side-by-side look at cost, comfort and lifespan, see our posts on dental implants vs. dentures and dentures vs. dental implants. Our guide to snap-in vs. fixed implant dentures covers the two implant styles.
What if you already have bone loss?
You may still have options. Bone loss does not automatically rule out implants, but it can change the plan. A dentist may use imaging to measure the bone you have, and sometimes bone grafting is discussed to rebuild volume before implants.
Cleveland Clinic notes that to qualify for implant-supported dentures you must have enough bone in your jaw to hold the implants. Read our guide to dental implants after bone loss and our page on bone grafting for implants. Graft and implant plans are individual, and some people are better served by a well-made conventional denture.
What should you ask before getting dentures?
Good questions help you judge a plan before you commit, and a clear answer to each one tells you a lot about the care you will receive. Use this checklist at your consultation, and write down the answers so you can compare more than one office:
How will you decide the bite height, and how will you check lip and cheek support?
Can I see a try-in before the final denture is made?
How much bone do I have, and what does imaging show?
What will change as my jaw changes, and how often will I need a reline?
What would implant support add for my case, and what are the downsides?
What happens if the first fit is not right?
A dentist who answers plainly, including the downsides, is a good sign. Be cautious if anyone promises a specific look or age effect.
How we approach this at Gardens
At Gardens Implant & Cosmetic Dentistry, a denture or implant consultation starts with a conversation about what bothers you and what you hope to change. Dr. Hans Almanzar, DDS, examines your gums, bite and facial support, and reviews 3D imaging to see how much bone is present.
We then explain the options that fit your case, which can include conventional dentures, implant overdentures or fixed implant bridges, along with the trade-offs of each. We talk through cost, healing time and upkeep so the choice is yours. If dentures are the better fit, we check the bite height and lip support carefully. Ask us which materials and options we use for your case.
Frequently asked questions
Do dentures make your face look sunken?
Cleveland Clinic says the jawbone gradually shrinks after tooth loss, which can lead to sunken cheeks. Dentures do not stop that bone loss, but well-fitted new dentures can restore some lip and mouth-area support. A worn denture can lower the bite height, which can affect appearance, so checkups and relines matter.
How much bone do you lose after losing teeth?
A 2012 systematic review of 20 studies reported horizontal bone loss of 29% to 63% and vertical loss of 11% to 22% about six months after extraction, in human re-entry studies. Most change came in the first three to six months. Those figures describe extraction sites, and individual results vary.
Can dentures make you look younger?
They can improve support for the lips and the area around the mouth. A 2026 study of 30 patients with 3D facial scans found thicker lips and a changed nose-to-lip angle after new dentures. It was small and measured shape, not perceived age, so results depend on the denture design and your anatomy.
Do dental implants stop jawbone loss?
Implants may slow it, but the evidence is not absolute. Cleveland Clinic lists helping prevent jawbone loss as a benefit of implant-supported dentures. In one five-year study, the lower back jaw lost about 0.69 millimeters of height with two-implant overdentures and 1.63 millimeters with conventional dentures.
How often should dentures be replaced or relined?
It depends on how your gums change. Cleveland Clinic suggests a reline every one to two years and a dentist visit if dentures are more than 10 years old. It also lists loose or painful dentures as reasons to book a visit, since they may need relining or replacing. Regular checkups show when.
What should I ask before getting dentures if I worry about my face?
Ask how the dentist sets the bite height, how lip and cheek support will be checked, whether a try-in is offered, what happens as your bone changes, and what implant support would add. A good answer explains the trade-offs and does not promise a particular look.
Sources
Clinical Oral Implants Research, "A systematic review of post-extractional alveolar hard and soft tissue dimensional changes in humans", 2012, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22211303/
Cleveland Clinic, "Dentures: Types, Care & What You Should Know", 2023, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/10900-dentures
Cleveland Clinic, "Implant Supported Dentures: Process, Benefits & Care", 2022, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/24303-implant-supported-dentures
Case Reports in Dentistry, "Reestablishment of Occlusal Vertical Dimension in Complete Denture Wearing in Two Stages", 2015, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4637468/
Journal of Clinical Medicine, "Quantitative 3D Evaluation of Facial Soft Tissue Modifications Following Complete Denture Treatment in Edentulous Patients: A Prospective Before-After Study", 2026, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12842011/
International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants, "Posterior mandibular residual ridge resorption in patients with conventional dentures and implant overdentures", 2003, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12814322/
International Journal of Prosthodontics, "Residual ridge resorption in the edentulous maxilla in patients with implant-supported mandibular overdentures: an 8-year retrospective study", 2003, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12854795/
International Journal of Implant Dentistry, "To what extent residual alveolar ridge can be preserved by implant? A systematic review", 2016, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5120622/
Dentures can change how your face looks, for better or worse, depending on the bone you have, how the denture is made and how well it keeps fitting. You do not have to guess. If you want to talk through dentures, implant options or both, you can book a consultation at Gardens Implant & Cosmetic Dentistry. See also our page on implant-supported dentures.
This article is for education only and is not a substitute for an exam by your dentist.
Blog
