Dentures are one of the oldest forms of dentistry. Today, dentures are designed and crafted with such realism that an observer can’t tell they are fake. However, even the most advanced dentures lack something that your healthy natural teeth rely on. There is no support of a root or anchor to hold them within your jawbone. Your dentist might recommend upgrading your denture by inserting a series of dental implant posts to support it. When you retain your dentures with implants, the quality of life goes up.
Are your dentures a serious source of frustration in your life? Are you tired of taking them out at night? Does it seem like no matter what you do, they slip and slide around in your mouth? Do you fear embarrassment on a daily basis? If so, your dentures probably do not fit inside your mouth properly.
Did you know that having your dentures relined and adjusted is just a temporary solution to the problem? Over time, the ridges on the jaw begin to wear down from friction and they shrink. This makes them feel wobbly once again. There is, however, a solution that can stabilize dentures once and for all, and it involves the placement of dental implants. Read how implants can retain your dentures so they don’t move. Dr. James Fondriest discusses implant dentures and how they prevent many of the struggles that afflict denture wearers.
How Modern Dentures Work
Modern complete dentures come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Partial dentures replace all of the missing teeth in an arch. They fit around and hold onto the remaining existing teeth. Full dentures completely rebuild your upper or lower dental ridge. Both partial and full dentures are supported by a comfortable gum-colored plastic base. This base fits comfortably and snugly on your dental ridge, sometimes with the help of adhesive. In the case of partial dentures, that support is bolstered with clasps that fit around other teeth.
Implants Help Secure Dentures
Slippage is a common and embarrassing problem with traditional dentures. Since dentures are typically held in place with messy denture adhesives, slippage often occurs during talking or eating. Dentures can also cause painful gum irritation and because they do not stimulate the jawbone, they promote bone breakdown. Implant retained dentures require no adhesives, stimulate the bone and provide dependable tooth replacement.
The Benefit of Having Dentures Supported by Implants
The beauty of most dentures today is that they’re crafted from highly lifelike porcelain. They appear the same as your natural tooth structure. Without a root like anchor, however, the realism falls short. For many patients, dentists will suggest supporting a custom designed denture on a series of dental implant posts. The implants serve as prosthetic anchors made to mimic teeth roots. Implant posts are inserted into your jawbone, which can take 4-6 months to heal around the posts permanently. Then, your dentist can use the implant posts to secure your custom denture with unmatched comfort and stability.
Teeth implants are worth the wait because they can hold your denture in place. This mimic root does even more than just serving to hold the prostheses in place. It also helps to supply nutrients to the jaw, which helps it to retain its structure.
The difficulties stemming from ill fitting dentures
The difficulties stemming from ill-fitting dentures are seemingly endless. One common denture problem is the fact that dentures tend to slide around the mouth, causing a general feeling of instability. However, sliding dentures do more than feel unstable. They can also irritate the mouth, causing pain and frustration. Additionally, unstable dentures can make it difficult to speak.
As dentures slip and slide around the mouth, the facial muscles will tense in an attempt to keep them stable. By doing so, however, speech will be negatively affected. With the facial muscles tense, words tend to come out mumbled or slurred, causing further embarrassment and frustration. Even the finest custom made dentures that fits properly can disappoint if there is not much bone support.
Benefits of “Implant Supported Dentures”, a Better Way to Retain Your Dentures
Implant retained dentures, or implant dentures, can improve many of the difficulties faced by denture wearers on a daily basis. Because so many problems are the result of unstable dentures, implant dentures are a fantastic solution. The dental implants are surgically inserted into the jaw. As they heal in, they fuse with the jawbone and anchor the dentures in position. With implants holding the dentures in place, they will not slip or slide. Speech tends to improve; the mouth does not suffer irritation; and there are additional benefits.
Implant dentures enable patients to eat a wider variety of foods, including apples and steaks. This is because of the increased stability of the dentures. Patients may also find that their general sense of taste improves. This may happen because implant dentures, in contrast to traditional dentures, allow the palate to remain uncovered. Exposing the palatal tissue results in an improved sense of taste. Unlike traditional dentures that relay on stability from the palate, implant dentures are held by the implants.
This distinction in the source of stability also raises one more benefit offered by implant dentures: a natural feel. Because they are anchored in place with dental implants in the jawbone, implant dentures feel more like natural teeth. Unlike traditional dentures, which rest on the gums, implant dentures have “roots” in the jawbone that retain your dentures. The result is a more natural feel that is sure to leave denture wearers smiling.
Placing Dental Implants to Retain Dentures
If you choose to receive implant dentures from implant dentist, Dr. Fondriest, you are opting for thorough and professional care. The first step in the process is to determine if there is enough healthy jawbone available to support the implants. To do so, CT scans will be taken of the mouth. If there is not enough healthy bone available, bone grafting surgery may be able to provide the necessary bone tissue.
If the jawbone can sustain dental implants, the implants can then be placed into the jaw. Following this procedure, time must pass in order to allow the dental implants to fuse to the jawbone. This process may take about three months. Once healing is complete, the dental implants can be uncovered and the dentures can be attached.
Learn more about how to Retain Your Dentures with Implants
Are you tired or struggling with your dentures? Implant dentures can put a stop to your daily battle with your dentures. Contact our Chicago dentist office today at 847-234-0517 to schedule an appointment or a consultation with Dr. Fondriest. Our dental office serves Chicago and Chicago’s North Shore suburbs.