There Are Many Benefits of Stabilized Dentures
Your smile just is not the same when you have missing teeth. This can make you hesitant about showing your teeth and smiling and may even make you not want to be around people very often. One method of teeth replacement that is also stable is to get full denture implants.
About Full Denture Implants
Dental implants are an excellent way to replace missing teeth. The roots of these artificial teeth are made of titanium and will not corrode or develop a cavity. They are surgically placed into your jawbone and, over time, your jawbone will attach to it and anchor it solidly. Titanium is a bio-friendly metal.
Missing Teeth
When a tooth is missing, the bone under it starts to be reabsorbed by your body. It is ongoing bite pressure that prevents this from occurring normally. In just one year, the jawbone under that missing tooth can be reduced by as much as 25 percent in width and height will be lost, too. This loss will weaken your jaw and if you are missing several teeth it can also change the appearance of your face – making you look older.
While there are several ways to replace missing teeth, only one of them can prevent bone loss in the jaw – dental implants. If bone loss has already occurred, you can get bone graft surgery to rebuild your jaw bone. This will be necessary before you can get dental implants.
Periodontal Disease
About half of all Americans today have periodontitis. This is the more serious form of gum disease and it is the major reason for tooth loss in adults. If you have lost your teeth due to periodontitis and have suffered jaw bone loss, you may still qualify for dental implants. Bone grafts can rebuild your jaw and then implants can be given once your jaw has healed.
Why Dental Implants Are Better
Partial or full dentures can give you good looking artificial teeth, but they can slip or slide at the worst possible moments. If it occurs while eating or speaking it could produce a very embarrassing moment.
Full dental implants provide the solution you need. A full set of dentures can be placed on a minimum number of dental implants to give you a stable set of teeth that will not slip or slide. In many cases, you will only need four implants in your top jaw and four more in the bottom to hold the dentures. This is generally referred to as all on four dental implants. In some cases, six may be needed.
Another benefit is that it will not irritate your gums. Regular dentures rest on your gums and can produce sores. This can make them uncomfortable and cause you to need adjustments from the dentist. With dental implants, the dentures only rest on the implants and this prevents them from irritating your gums.
Another advantage of full denture implants is that they will enable you to smile with confidence again. Implants can give you a great looking set of teeth.
Immediate Implants
If you have teeth that need to be extracted and your jawbone has sufficient size, implants can be placed at the same time. This saves a step and will enable you to get implants and full dentures sooner.
Removable Dentures
The periodontist may suggest that you get dentures that are removable. This type will snap on to a ball or bar that is attached to the implants. Other types of implant supported dentures may be permanent.
Care Needed for Durability
You will never need to worry about the titanium root developing a cavity or needing a root canal. By regularly brushing and flossing your teeth, you can prevent a threat to your implants – a gum disease called peri-implantitis. Regular dental visits are also necessary to ensure the health of your gums.
Although the all-on-four dental implants system is rather new, it appears that it will survive much longer than the standard dentures. One reason there is some uncertainty about it is that it is so new that long-term research is not yet available. It is known, however, that there has been a 95 percent survival rate of the implants after 10 years. Studies have also revealed that the dentures can be expected to last over 10 years.
Insurance and Dental Implants
Most of the time, dental insurance will not cover the cost of implants. They may cover the cost of the crown but it is likely that you will be responsible for the rest.
If you want dentures that are secure and will not slip, it is time to learn more about full denture implants. They really are a better option because you will be able to eat what you want and you never have to worry about slipping again. Dr. Kumar T. Vadivel, DDS, FDS RCS, MS, a Board Certified Periodontist, provides dental implant surgery and can also give you the all on four dental implants in his Carrollton, TX, and Grapevine, TX offices. Most dental insurance plans are accepted. For a consultation or information about dental implants or the all on four dental implants system, you can contact his office today
