Can People Tell if You Have False Teeth?

Wearing false teeth or dentures can sometimes be a challenge, especially when it comes to convincing others that you have perfectly natural looking teeth. In our conversation, I had the privilege of meeting Max Zuest, a renowned lab technician who crafted his own dentures. He designed them in such a way that they appeared entirely natural, making it almost impossible for others to suspect that he wore false teeth.

Signs of Poorly Made Dentures

When false teeth are not made properly, they can be recognizable. For instance, improper bites or a crooked bite plane can give them away. Dentures with perfectly uniform shades and straight white teeth are also highly suspicious. Furthermore, if the false teeth are supported by implants but paired with cheap dentures, the contrast is evident.

Signs to Look For

People who have worn dentures for some time tend to be more adept at recognizing when another person wears them. This can include older individuals with straight, white teeth, even if they are not wearing dentures. A well-crafted denture designed with slightly darker and not perfectly aligned teeth can be hard to spot for the untrained eye.

One telltale sign is when the lower teeth lift up during speech. This is a clear indication that the teeth are detachable, like a denture. The way someone moves their lips and mouth is also a significant giveaway. Denture wearers often bite down unconsciously before opening their mouth, a behavior that is less common in people with natural teeth.

Advantages of Good Denture Wear

One of the main benefits of wearing well-fitted dentures is the ability to have teeth that look much better than one’s natural teeth. After losing my natural teeth, I preferred having dentures that looked better aesthetically rather than the ones I was born with. A well-maintained and well-fitted denture can significantly improve a person's appearance and confidence.

The Expert Eye

For dentists, even a well-made denture can be easily detected. They are trained to notice nuances that the average person might not. Clues to denture wear can include a forehead that seems too full, a smile that looks like there are too many teeth, an obvious attempt to "hide" the teeth, and a mismatch in tooth shape that does not align with the face.

While a well-crafted denture is difficult to distinguish from natural teeth, a less well-made one can be easy to spot. Dental professionals can quickly identify these flaws, including an unnatural appearance of the upper lip, the excessive number of teeth when smiling, and an attempt to disguise the teeth.

In conclusion, while false teeth or dentures can sometimes be recognizable, especially with poor craftsmanship, a well-fitted and well-designed denture can be nearly indistinguishable from natural teeth. The key is understanding the signs to look for and ensuring that dentures are made to the highest standards.