Many people get dentures when they lose teeth. You might have chosen dentures because they are inexpensive. You might have gotten dentures because you thought they would be okay. It’s even possible that you got dentures because you didn’t know about other options.
However, now that you have dentures, you are probably unhappy with them, as many people are. Now that you’ve had time to think about it, you might realize that dental implants are a better tooth replacement than dentures. Our Westchester County Prosthodontist can help you transition to more attractive, comfortable, and functional dental implants. With our combination of specialists, we’ll ensure that you receive the best care at each stage of the transition.
Why People Dislike Dentures
Although dentures are a common tooth replacement option, they’re not very popular. Most people who have dentures dislike them for one reason or another. Among the most common complaints about dentures are:
- They’re not stable in my mouth
- I can’t eat what I want
- I can’t speak with dentures
- My dentures feel weird
- My dentures hurt
- I hate adjusting or replacing my dentures all the time
Dental implants can fix all these complaints.
Dentures Aren’t Stable
Dentures aren’t stable because there’s no way to secure them in your mouth. Partial dentures have hooks or clasps that hold onto your remaining teeth. Full dentures don’t even have that. They rely on suction to keep them in—no wonder they always come out.
Dental implants anchor in your jawbone, making them as stable as natural teeth.
Dentures Restrict Your Eating
Dentures make it hard to eat many foods. First, they’re not stable, which makes it hard to chew. Plus, dentures rest on your gums, limiting the force you can apply when you bite. Finally, food debris can get under your dentures, making eating painful.
Implants are more stable and can improve your bite force, letting you eat all your favorite foods again.
Dentures Make It Hard to Speak
Unstable dentures can make it difficult to speak clearly. Many sounds require that you put your lips or tongue against your teeth, and unstable dentures can come out of place when you attempt this. Plus, air can sometimes flow under your dentures, causing a whistling sound.
Stable dental implants make it easy to speak clearly.
Dentures Can Feel Strange
Many people can’t adapt to the feeling of dentures. After all, dentures are a big object that you put in your mouth, and they move around. This can make you gag, cause you to salivate excessively, or cause other problems.
Dental implants allow for less bulky restorations, and they’re stable. They start to feel like they’re your natural teeth.
Dentures Can Hurt
Beyond just feeling strange, dentures are often painful. They move around your mouth, scraping your gums. Plus, dentures put bite force on your gums, which can’t support it without pain.
Dental implants direct bite force into your bones, which allows you to chew without pain.
Dentures Need Frequent Adjustment and Replacement
Before getting dentures, you probably didn’t know how often they’d need adjustment and replacement. Dentures lose their fit frequently and may require adjustment every few months, especially in the first year. In addition, dentures often wear out and need replacement in just a few years.
Dental implants last a lifetime. The restorations on top of dental implants typically last 10-30 years, and adjustments or repairs occur about once every decade, if ever.
Can You Get Dental Implants?
Most people are candidates for dental implants. You only have to meet three criteria. You must be:
- Missing teeth
- An adult with a fully-grown jaw
- Healthy enough for surgery
You already have dentures, so we know you meet the first criterion. The jaw typically finishes growing around age 20, after which you can get dental implants. If we have any concerns about your health, we might ask your doctor to clear you for surgery.
Note that some factors, like smoking, won’t prevent you from getting implants but might affect your odds of success. We’ll talk about these factors before you commit to the procedure.
Preparing Your Mouth for Dental Implants
Sometimes, you’re a good candidate for dental implants but not ready for them yet. If you have gum disease, for example, we might need to treat that first.
If you’ve been wearing dentures for a long time, you will likely need a bone graft before getting implants. When you lose your teeth, your body begins to resorb–remove–the jawbone that used to support them. After having dentures for years, there might not be enough bone left to support implants.
What Type of Implant Dentures Do You Want?
Implant dentures come in several types. Dentures can be secured by dental implants but still rest on your gums. We call these implant-retained dentures. Implant dentures that direct most or all bite force into the implants are called implant-supported dentures.
Implant dentures can be removable or fixed. Removable dentures fit securely over attachments on your implants but come out when you want for cleaning. Fixed dentures are secured to implants by screws that only your dentist can remove.
We’ll talk to you about the benefits and limitations of each type so you can decide which is right for you.
Cost of Dental Implants
Dental implants are a custom procedure. We can’t give a good estimate online. Factors that will affect the cost of your implants include:
- Preparatory treatments like gum disease care or bone graft
- The number of implants you choose
- The quality of your implant denture
You’ll get a comprehensive estimate before you agree to the treatment plan.
Specialist Care for Dental Implant Success
Dental implants are a complex procedure with multiple steps, each of which can impact the success of your final result. Each step of the procedure requires different skills and knowledge to execute correctly. With a procedure like this, it’s highly recommended that you work with multiple dentists who can bring specialist training to each step.
We have specialists in-house to provide you with optimal care at each step of your implant procedure. Periodontists are specialists in dealing with the bone and gums around teeth, making them an excellent choice for placing your dental implants. Prosthodontists are specialists in building restorations to fit atop your dental implants. Working together, this team can give you a beautiful, long-lasting result.
Leave Dentures Behind
Don’t keep living with dentures you hate. Dental implants can overcome all the problems of dentures, giving you a beautiful, functional smile again.
To get started with dental implants, please call (914) 725-7100 or use our online form today to request an appointment with our Scarsdale Prosthodontist.
