Ditch the Old-school Dentures: Why You Should Consider Implants

Dentures have been around for a long time, and today's dental plates look wonderful. However, dentures do not feel like natural teeth. An upper denture covers most of the palate, rendering some foods, well, unpalatable. Lower dentures are designed to fit snugly, but with gradual bone loss lower dentures float off course more often than not. Bone loss is a serious consideration with ordinary dentures. Bone loss eventually changes the structure of the face as the teeth recede further and further behind the jaw, giving an aged, witch-chinned appearance. Ill-fitting dentures can make nourishment a bit of a problem, too.

Better Eating Experience

The Indian Dental Academy states that "Enjoyment of food is regarded as an important determinant of an adult’s quality of life. Mobile teeth, ill-fitting complete denture prosthesis or edentulism may preclude eating favorite foods, as well as limit the intake of essential nutrients."rnIf you're tired of putting up with these old-school denture dilemmas, why bother? A denture supported by implants may be the way to go.

How Do Denture Implants Work?

There are two types of denture implant supports, bar-retained and ball-retained. Bar-retained dentures implement a thin, metal bar that is shaped to the jaw. The bar is attached to two-five implants that have been fitted into the jawbone. The denture fits onto the bar and is snapped securely into place by clip attachments. Ball-retained dentures from places like the NYC Center for Dental Implants are sometimes called stud-attachment dentures. Each implant in the jawbone contains a metal attachment that snaps into a tiny socket built into the denture.

How Are Implants Placed in the Jawbone?

Dentures need at least two implants for snug support. The implants are usually inserted in the bone at the front of the mouth, because most of the bone mass can be found there. Implants are completed with varying time frames, dependent on many factors. If a person has lost considerable bone due to long-term denture wear, the process could last a year or more. Bone grafting and other procedures to secure the posts will be necessary. Two surgeries are routine, one to place the implants and a surgery several months later to expose the tops of the healed implants. A newer, one-stage procedure involving bar-retained implants can now be accomplished in one step. A high success rate for this procedure has been reported.

Expectations

You can expect your new, implant-supported denture to feel a lot like natural teeth. An upper implant denture will not need to cover the entire palate to provide suction. The lower denture will be very stable, allowing foods that could not be eaten with a regular denture.