January 18, 2018 | American College of Prosthodontists

When it Comes to Dental Prosthetics, You Don’t Have to Compromise Facial Appearance

A new, first of its kind study led by UConn School of Dental Medicine's Dr. Avinash Bidra shows there is no significant difference in an individual’s facial appearance, especially in regards to the lips, if they are wearing either removable dentures or a permanent bridge with dental implants.

Photo courtesy of American College of Prosthodontists.

Photo courtesy of American College of Prosthodontists.

Maintaining lip support is a concern for many dental patients. However, a new study finds there is no significant difference in an individual’s facial appearance, especially in regards to the lips, if they are wearing either removable dentures or a permanent (or “fixed”) bridge with dental implants.

Patient wearing removable denture (Photo by American College of Prosthodontists).
Patient wearing removable denture (Photo by American College of Prosthodontists).

Before this study, it was believed that individuals with no upper teeth of their own needed a full removable denture so their upper lip would rest normally when the mouth is closed. On that basis, many dental professionals recommended removable dentures instead of a permanent bridge anchored by four to six dental implants. However, a new four-part study in the January 2018 edition of the Journal of Prosthodontics has determined this long-held belief may be inaccurate.

A team of five prosthodontists, led by UConn School of Dental Medicine’s Dr. Avinash Bidra studied over 30 patients with no upper teeth. The team took photos of the patients with their mouths closed with normal dentures in place, and then again with dentures that mimicked the appearance of a dental implant. Conclusions from all parts of the study found that there was no clinically significant difference in an individual’s appearance when wearing the two types of prosthetics – a groundbreaking deduction.

“Patients who are missing all their teeth and seeking a solution do not have to worry about any compromises to their facial appearance, especially related to the lips,” said Dr. Bidra, who is director of the Prosthodontics Residency Program at UConn School of Dental Medicine. “This finding challenges a commonly held notion that treatment with permanent implant bridges, such as the All-on-4® treatment, may alter facial appearance and lip projection.”

Patient wearing implant mimicking denture (Photo by American College of Prosthodontists).
Patient wearing implant mimicking denture (Photo by American College of Prosthodontists).

Now, prosthodontists and patients can have more options when it comes time to decide on their best course of treatment for long-lasting health and visual appearance.

“These findings can improve treatment confidence for clinicians as well as patients,” said Dr. Bidra.

This four-part study, which is the first of its kind, is titled “Differences in Lip Support with and without Labial Flanges in a Maxillary Edentulous Population.”