What Are Implant-Supported Dentures and How Do They Work?
Implant-supported dentures use dental implants to overcome the limitations of traditional dentures. If you do not have any teeth in the jaw, but you have sufficient jawbone to support dental implants, you are a candidate. These dentures have a special attachment that links them to the dental implants. You may be able to take the denture out and they can be cleaned, yet once they are snapped in, they will be incredibly stable within your mouth. You can even have these attachments retrofitted so that existing dentures become more stable.
Implant-Supported vs. Implant-Retained Dentures
Although we sometimes use implant-supported dentures to refer to all dentures augmented with dental implants, there is a real distinction between true implant-supported dentures and implant-retained dentures:
- Implant-Supported Dentures – These dentures are truly supported by dental implants. Most or all bite force travels through the dentures into the implants, and into your jawbone. This removes denture pressure from your gums and can relieve denture pain. In addition, this gives you almost as much chewing and biting strength as you had with natural teeth. These dentures typically require more dental implants, and may be fixed in your mouth, not removable.
- Implant-Retained Dentures – These dentures use dental implants to help hold them in place. However, the dentures still sit on your gums, and the majority of bite force goes into your gums. Although the dentures are more secure and you will have better bite force, they might not be secure enough to allow normal biting and chewing. You might still have to avoid some foods and learn denture-style chewing techniques. These dentures typically require fewer implants and are almost always removable.
Which type of denture is best for you depends on your treatment goals, your budget, and your oral health.
Are Implant-Supported Dentures Right for You?
Are you frustrated with your current traditional dentures? Are you missing teeth and looking for the best solution? If so, implant-supported dentures could be the perfect solution for you! If you have worn conventional dentures for quite some time, your bone mass may be slightly reduced, as traditional dentures may cause the bone density to decrease within the jawbone. If the bone density in your mouth has decreased, you may require bone grafting so that you can be eligible for this treatment.
There is no need to worry if you’re unsure whether or not this treatment is right for you. We will have a consultation so that we can take a look at your teeth and determine the best option for you.
Why Do Some Patients Struggle with Conventional Dentures?
Some patients manage well with dentures to begin with. Nevertheless, as time goes on, they find that their dentures are not comfortable, and so they start to have trouble when they are speaking or eating. The main reason for this is because the ridges within the mouth that provide support for the dentures shrink over time, which results in a loss of fit.
Another reason why dentures can be difficult for some people as time goes on is that, as we get older, our ability to manage unsecured teeth is reduced. Sadly, this means that some older patients will leave their teeth out, resulting in subsequent social and functional problems. Being able to enjoy food and speak without concern is something we should all be able to do, and our implant-supported dentures help to make sure that this is the case.
Benefits of Implant-Supported Dentures from Advanced Dentistry of Scarsdale
There are many benefits that you can gain by deciding to go for implant-supported dentures instead of conventional dentures. This includes the following:
Dentures as Good as New Teeth
There is only one place to begin when it comes to implant-supported dentures, and this is the fact that they can be just as good as new teeth! They will remain fixed in place, and they will appear just like healthy teeth. Family and friends will not have any clue that you have dentures, ensuring you have the confidence and ease to talk and smile like you typically would. The implants and molds are shaped so that they slot precisely into your mouth, leaving a truly flawless fit.
Be Confident in Your Smile
Another benefit is that you can be confident in your smile, and this will start to impact your life in many other ways!
Maintain a Strong Jaw
Another benefit associated with implant-supported dentures is that you can maintain a strong jaw. Reduced bone density can happen due to unfixed dentures, as they do not fully perform the same function as typical teeth. This is something you do not have to worry about with implant-supported dentures, as your jaw will stay healthy and strong.
Minimal Impact on Natural Teeth
Conventional partial dentures rely on your natural teeth for support. They can put pressure on your teeth, causing them to end up moving out of alignment. This problem does not happen with our implant-supported dentures since they support themselves.
In addition, securements for partial dentures–either metal clasps or dental crowns–can impact your natural teeth, putting them at risk. Implant dentures don’t lead to tooth damage.
Enhanced Chewing Function
Aside from the benefits mentioned so far, you can also expect your chewing function to improve! As soon as these dentures are fixed, regular chewing activity is supported. This is not the case with conventional dentures, as chewing will typically be impaired as a consequence of slippage. Enjoy drinking and eating as you usually would without needing to fret about any sort of slippage. Many of our patients say that they have found themselves having to relearn how to eat with conventional dentures, yet with implant-supported dentures, you can maintain your ability to eat normally.
Get Implant-Supported Dentures in Westchester
If you would like to find out more about our implant-supported dentures, please do not hesitate to contact us today for more information. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have, as well as get you scheduled for an appointment by calling (914) 725-7100.
