If you’re missing multiple teeth or all your pearly whites, you may already be familiar with dentures – and while this traditional form of tooth replacement can restore the appearance and functionality of your smile, they have a reputation for sometimes being uncomfortable or difficult to wear. But did you know that dentures can be combined with dental implants in order to boost their convenience and capabilities tenfold? Here’s what you need to know.
What Are Implant-Retained Dentures?
Rather than relying on suction, muscle control, and adhesives, implant-retained dentures are stabilized with the help of strategically placed dental implants. They snap onto a set of dental implants that have been placed directly into the jawbone during a surgical procedure. Following this placement, the implant posts need several months to heal and fuse with the jawbone. However, once this has occurred, they essentially serve as replacement tooth roots, which is a trait entirely unique to dental implants. Implant-retained dentures are often used for the lower jaw, where traditional dentures tend to be the most unstable, although it’s still perfectly okay to use this method for the upper jaw as well.
The Many Benefits of Implant Dentures
Combining dentures with dental implants means patients get the best of both worlds as far as potential benefits are concerned. Just a few of the many noteworthy advantages of this tooth replacement option include:
- Implant dentures offer a permanent solution to tooth loss, since the implants are designed to last for decades with the right care. On the other hand, traditional dentures often need to be replaced within 5 to 10 years.
- It goes without saying that having stable replacement teeth means that eating all of your favorite foods will be possible, let alone much easier. Likewise, speaking and conversing with others will come much more easily.
- Although dental implants tend to have a higher upfront cost, they’re easily the more cost-effective solution since they won’t need to be replaced.
- Dental implants can prevent the bone resorption that occurs in the jaw following tooth loss.
- Implant-retained dentures are stable, functional, and beautiful, meaning you’ll feel incredibly confident about showing off your new smile!
The benefits speak for themselves; implant-retained dentures are a surefire way to boost your oral health and upgrade your existing dentures, assuming you qualify for the procedure (patients need sufficient jawbone density). If you’ve been unhappy with your dentures for a while, don’t hesitate to speak with your dentist about this option!
About the Practice
Our team here at Caring Way Dentistry of Port Charlotte has served the dental needs of patients and families in Port Charlotte and the surrounding area for several years. We proudly offer a wide variety of services, including numerous tooth replacement solutions like implant-retained dentures as well as traditional restorations. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with us to set up an appointment, please reach out online or call today for more information. Telephone: (941) 229-8181.