Your Dentures Can Be Stabilized
Dentures are still the most common way to replace missing teeth. After getting them, many people discover that there are some undesirable problems with them, including the fact that they can slip and often irritate the gums. What many people do not know is that dentures – and partial dentures – can be stabilized with a better solution – dental implants.
About Dentures
Dental implants have been around for several decades and they are a proven way to successfully replace teeth. Because the dentures are anchored solidly to the implants, it enables you to enjoy doing everyday tasks without problems such as eating, speaking, laughing, or coughing. Other problems with regular dentures often include frequent adjustments to them, they no longer fit correctly, or they might break if they are dropped.
When you are missing teeth, and when you have dentures, the jawbone under those missing teeth is constantly diminishing. Your body is reabsorbing it and redistributing it elsewhere in your body. This is an ongoing process and it can occur swiftly, possibly reducing your jawbone width by as much as 25 percent within the first year. Jawbone height is also lost.
About Dental Implants
Dental implants are made of titanium, which is a biocompatible metal. The implant looks like a screw and it is surgically placed into the jawbone. The jawbone will become attached to the implant in about three to six months, making it rigid.
If you have been without teeth for some time, the bone loss has been significant. Most likely, it will need to be built up again before any denture implants can be installed. Bone grafting is a rather simple procedure, but you may also need gum grafting. This process can be expected to take up to six months for the bone and gums to heal. Afterward, dental implant surgery can take place.
Denture Stabilization
Dentures are often not stable and you are limited in the foods you can eat. A process called denture stabilization can change that and it will let you eat nearly anything without risk of slipping. You will also be able to talk freely, without the worry of the dentures slipping.
You will also be able to remove your dentures for cleaning if you desire that option. Or, they can be made permanent.
All on 4 Dental Implants
After the bone has healed, the dentist can provide you with the all on four dental implants system. This system only requires (in most cases) four dental implants in the top or bottom jaw. After healing, it can fully support your dentures.
New Dentures May Be Needed
If you already have dentures, they most likely will not be recommended for use on the full denture implants. This is because they generally are not strong enough to last very long. In some cases, it may be possible, but remember that regular dentures only last five to seven years.
When you have dentures for some time, the materials in them are apt to change. They will wear down and the color of the gums may change. When this occurs, they will look more artificial and they are more likely to chip or crack.
Dentures made for dental implants are made of heavier construction than normal dentures. This feature not only helps them to last longer, but it also enables you to eat what you want. The survivability of implant supported dentures so far has been 10 years and going but because it is still rather new no one really knows how long they can last yet.
Candidates for Denture Stabilization
Candidates that need to have their dentures stabilized will need to have a consultation to determine their qualifications. The consultation will involve an oral exam, an x-ray, and a 3-D scan. Besides needing to be in good health, they also need:
- To be free of gum disease
- Have sufficient bone mass
- Have sufficient gums.
The scans will reveal how much bone is present and how thick it is. If it is not high enough or thick enough, a bone graft may be necessary. In some cases, the all on four dental implant system may be able to reduce the requirements on bone size. Two of the four implants can often be placed at an angle to overcome this problem, which enables people to get dental implants who could not get them before.
The all on four dental implant system enables patients to be able to walk into the dentist’s office, have any needed extractions, and walk out with a usable new set of teeth.
If you are tired of your dentures slipping and irritating your gums, you may be able to get dental implants to stabilize them. This process can make your teeth feel natural again and enable you to avoid those embarrassing moments. Dr. Kumar T. Vadivel, DDS, FDS RCS, MS, a Board Certified Periodontist, provides dental implant surgery and the all on four dental implants system in his Carrollton, TX, and Grapevine, TX offices. Most dental insurance plans are accepted. For a consultation or information about dental implants or implant supported dentures, you can contact his office today.
