Treating Kevin’s Collapsed Bite with a Complete Smile Makeover with New Dentures

The Challenge

Dentures are sometimes not created to the ideal aesthetic and functional scheme. When improperly fabricated, dentures can make an individual appear almost a generation older than their actual age. They can have a poor fit that feels loose and unstable when eating or speaking, and they can actually accelerate bone loss over time. Frequently, individuals wearing ill-fitting dentures cannot chew adequately and lose much of the pleasure from eating.

Kevin came to us very dissatisfied with his existing condition. He looked much older than his actual age because his bite was severely collapsed, which completely changed his facial proportions and appearance. When he tried to smile, no one could really see his teeth because his dentures did not display properly. In fact, he did not smile very often because of how self-conscious he felt about his teeth not being visible when he smiled.

Chewing was very difficult for Kevin because of extensive underlying bone loss and poorly designed denture appliances. The combination of these problems significantly impacted his quality of life, his nutrition, and his social confidence.

Treatment Approach

We began by performing a comprehensive evaluation of Kevin’s remaining bone structure, existing denture fit, and his functional and aesthetic goals. The key to success with new dentures lies in proper impression technique and precise bite registration.

We fabricated special, custom impressions designed to capture the maximum amount of available bone while avoiding interfering muscle attachments that naturally raise dentures and make them feel like they “float” when chewing. This requires careful technique and expertise to balance retention with comfort.

Then we took several critical steps to establish the ideal height of bite for Kevin. Bite height directly affects how he looks, chews, and speaks. An improper bite height can make someone look too young or too old, cause difficulty with speech, and make chewing ineffective. We used diagnostic wax-ups and try-in dentures to ensure Kevin was satisfied with his appearance before fabricating the final dentures.

Our in-house laboratory team hand-crafted his new dentures using precision techniques to ensure perfect fit and optimal esthetics. The teeth were selected and arranged to create a natural appearance that harmonized with his facial features.

Results

Kevin’s new dentures provided an immediate and dramatic improvement in his appearance. With his bite properly restored to the ideal vertical dimension, he looked younger and more vibrant. His teeth were now visible when he smiled, giving him a natural, engaging appearance.

More importantly, Kevin experienced significant improvements in function. His dentures had excellent retention and stability, allowing him to chew food more effectively and enjoy meals without concerns about his dentures slipping or moving. He could speak clearly and confidently without worrying about his dentures clicking or moving around.

Next Steps in Kevin’s Treatment

Kevin is excited about his new look and function and is now ready to discuss the next phase of his treatment. He is interested in discussing the placement and restoration of implants to provide even greater stability and to preserve his remaining bone. Implant-supported dentures or individual implants could be excellent options to preserve the health of his remaining bone and provide even greater stability and comfort than traditional dentures.

This case demonstrates how a well-designed set of new dentures can transform both appearance and function, providing patients with renewed confidence and improved quality of life. For patients like Kevin who may eventually be candidates for implants, having excellent dentures first allows them to experience improved function and confidence while they plan for future implant treatment.