When people lose all their teeth, they often struggle to chew food and don’t get enough nutrients. Researchers tested whether special tooth implants could help. They studied 35 adults over age 50 who got two implants supporting a removable denture on their lower jaw. The implants significantly improved their ability to chew and helped them eat more vitamins. However, people still lost weight and didn’t gain all the nutrition they needed. The study suggests that implants work best when combined with nutrition counseling from a dietitian.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether dental implants that support a removable denture help people without teeth chew better and eat more nutritious foods
  • Who participated: 35 adults aged 50 and older who had lost all their natural teeth and received two implants in their lower jaw to support a denture
  • Key finding: Implants improved chewing ability and increased intake of important vitamins (A, C, K, and folate), but people still experienced weight loss and didn’t fully recover their nutrition
  • What it means for you: If you’ve lost all your teeth, implant-supported dentures can help you eat better foods, but you may need to work with a nutritionist to make sure you’re getting enough calories and nutrients overall

The Research Details

Researchers followed 35 people without teeth over about 9 months. Everyone started with regular dentures, then got two dental implants placed in their lower jaw that held the denture more securely. The team measured how well people could chew, what they ate using food diaries, and their body measurements at four different times: before treatment, 3 months after getting regular dentures, 3 months after getting the implants, and 6 months after implant placement. This allowed them to see how things changed over time as people adjusted to their new teeth.

Tracking people over time (called a prospective study) is important because it shows real changes that happen as people use their new teeth in daily life. By measuring chewing ability, actual food intake, and body measurements together, researchers could see the complete picture of how implants affected nutrition, not just one aspect.

This study followed people carefully over time and measured multiple important outcomes. However, the group was relatively small (35 people), and results may differ for different age groups or health conditions. The study was published in a respected dental journal, which suggests it met professional standards for quality.

What the Results Show

The implant-supported dentures worked well for chewing. People could bite and chew with significantly more force and ease compared to regular dentures. This improvement in chewing ability led to changes in what people ate—they consumed more vitamins A, C, K, and folate, which are found in vegetables, fruits, and leafy greens. These are important nutrients that many older adults don’t get enough of. The improvements appeared within 3 months of getting the implants and stayed consistent through 6 months of follow-up. This suggests that people quickly adapted to using the new teeth and maintained their improved eating habits.

Despite eating more nutritious foods, people experienced unexpected weight loss. Their body weight, BMI (a measure of body size), and arm muscle measurements all decreased significantly over the study period. This suggests that while people could chew better and eat more vitamins, they may not have been eating enough total calories or protein to maintain their body weight. Some people with chewing problems actually ate more calories and protein overall, but they chose less healthy foods—a pattern that improved with the implants.

Previous research suggested that implant-supported dentures would improve nutrition in people without teeth. This study confirms that chewing ability does improve significantly. However, it adds important new information: better chewing alone doesn’t automatically fix all nutrition problems. The finding that people lost weight despite eating better foods suggests that nutrition is more complex than just being able to chew—people need guidance on eating enough food overall, not just better food.

The study included only 35 people, so results may not apply to everyone. All participants were 50 or older, so we don’t know if younger people would have similar results. The study didn’t include a comparison group of people who didn’t get implants, so we can’t be completely certain the implants caused all the improvements. The study also didn’t track whether people received nutrition counseling, which might have affected weight outcomes.

The Bottom Line

If you’ve lost all your teeth and are considering implant-supported dentures, this research suggests they can help you eat better foods and get more important vitamins (moderate confidence). However, implants work best when combined with guidance from a dietitian or nutritionist who can help you eat enough calories and protein overall (moderate confidence). Don’t expect implants alone to solve all nutrition problems—they’re one part of a complete solution.

This research is most relevant for adults over 50 who have lost all their teeth and are considering tooth replacement options. It’s also important for dentists and nutritionists who work with older adults. People with certain health conditions, very limited budgets, or those unable to have surgery should discuss alternatives with their dentist. Younger people with tooth loss may have different outcomes.

You should notice improvements in chewing ability within the first 3 months after implants are placed. Changes in what you eat and vitamin intake may take 3-6 months as you adjust to your new teeth. Weight changes may take several months to appear. Full benefits may take 6-12 months as your body adjusts.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your ability to chew different foods (soft vs. crunchy) weekly, and log your intake of colorful vegetables and fruits daily to monitor vitamin-rich food consumption
  • Set a goal to add one new vegetable or fruit to your diet each week that you couldn’t comfortably eat before getting implants, and use the app to plan meals that include these foods
  • Monitor your weight and body measurements monthly, track your energy levels and how you feel, and log which foods you can now eat that were difficult before—share this progress with your dentist and doctor

This research shows that implant-supported dentures can improve chewing and vitamin intake in people without teeth, but individual results vary. Implants require surgery and ongoing care, and they’re not suitable for everyone. Before considering implants, consult with your dentist about whether you’re a good candidate, discuss potential risks and benefits, and talk with your doctor about your overall health. This study suggests combining implants with nutrition counseling for best results. Always work with your healthcare team to develop a personalized plan for your dental and nutritional health.