Dental Implants Existing Partial
People who have dentures, whether they be partial or full, often complain about their dentures slipping out of place or about the clicking noise they can make when speaking and chewing. They may also grumble about the discomfort and inconvenience of denture glue or about the fact that they can’t comfortably eat the foods they once loved, either because of the dentures slipping or because of the unpleasant taste of denture glue. Thankfully, as dental implant technology becomes more widely used and appreciated, more and more dentists have started providing denture wearers with another option: dental implants that support and stabilize an existing partial or full denture. A series of dental implants placed into the jaw can provide a foundation for your denture, helping it attach securely into the mouth and removing the need for messy, unappealing denture adhesives. Once snapped onto dental implants, the denture becomes stable and secure, with no risk of slipping or clicking. Dentures that fit over the natural ridge of bone and gums apply pressure onto the bone, which gradually contributes to the deterioration of the bone and further diminishes the fit and comfort of the dentures. Not only do dental implants reduce this pressure and the degradation it accompanies, dental implants also confer the added benefit of strengthening and stimulating the natural bone, which helps improve the overall health of the periodontium while also reducing the need for multiple adjustments and refittings. Imagine enjoying your favorite foods without having to worry about your dentures slipping or about the sharp, metallic taste of denture adhesive interfering with your meal. For many people, however, dentures are the most reasonable option for replacing their teeth for one reason: they are affordable. In some cases, dentists can use a patient’s existing denture, retrofitting it with attachment devices that will turn it into an implant-retained overdenture, significantly reducing the cost of a secure replacement option for missing teeth. Even when this is not possible and a new denture is needed, an implant-retained denture is often a widely affordable, stable option for people who want to replace one or more missing teeth.
Each person’s implant-retained denture needs are specific, and the design of implant-retained dentures is completely customizable. An initial consultation with a dentist can help you determine if this is an option for you, and if it is possible to use an existing partial or full denture in conjunction with dental implants. Through a thorough evaluation of your existing denture and a comprehensive review of your medical history, your dentist can determine whether you’re a good candidate for a dental implant procedure, and whether your existing denture can be used. Dental implants not only stabilize dentures, improving their comfort, they also help increase patients’ self-confidence and the appearance of their faces and smiles. They also include the added benefit of improving the possibility of a healthier diet, as they can help patients vastly diversify and increase the variety of nutritious foods they can eat and thoroughly, comfortably chew.
Dentures are used as a replacement option for people who have lost some or all of their natural teeth. They are custom-crafted in a dental lab, modeled from impressions that are made of the inside of the patient’s mouth, and are available as either partial dentures or full dentures. Full dentures for the upper row of teeth include a foundation that covers over the roof of the mouth, and full lower dentures have a similar foundation that has an arch shape in it to accommodate the tongue. Partial dentures rest on the natural teeth that are adjacent to the missing teeth and are removable. Dental implants are very small cylindrical posts, usually made of titanium, that are surgically implanted into the jaw where the root of a tooth once was. The implant essentially becomes a replacement root for dental prosthetics, fusing with the bone as it heals. Dental implants can support dental crowns that replace a single tooth or multiple teeth, and they can also support dentures. Implant-retained dentures can be used in either the upper or lower jaw, or in both jaws at the same time.
To stabilize dentures with dental implants, your dentist will place two or more implants into your jaw, providing stability and a feeling of permanence and security while also taking advantage of the simplicity of traditional dentures. Implant-retained dentures can be easily removed for cleaning and do not require any adhesives, but they also allow their wearer to speak, eat, and smile with confidence, providing the best of both worlds. Implant-retained overdentures don’t only offer stability; they also provide improved function and appearance. When the natural teeth are lost, the bone that usually supports their roots no longer serves a purpose and is no longer necessary, so the body begins to resorb this bone. Over time, this bone resorption dramatically affects not only the functionality of the mouth, but also the appearance of the face. While dentures contribute to this problem, adding pressure to an already compromised area and leading to further degradation, dental implants support the bone and encourage the growth of new, healthy bone, preventing the sunken appearance that so often plagues people who are missing natural teeth. The process of the dental implant healing into the bone is called osseointegration, and it leads to a complete fusion between implant and bone, providing stimulation to the bone and strong support for the denture. As the bones of the jaw resorb in people without dental implants, the jaw itself changes in size and shape, leading to the need to frequently adjust and resize dentures. Implants prevent this, providing a permanent dental replacement solution that can support the pressure of biting and chewing as well as natural teeth can.
Dental implants have extremely high success rates and can be an excellent option for many patients. If you have an insufficient amount of healthy bone to support dental implants, bone grafts can be an option, and it’s worth it to talk to your dentist if you’re considering the option. Implant-retained overdentures also have extremely high success rates. Both the implants themselves and the dentures must be properly cleaned; implants are brushed, along with the gums and tongue, just as the teeth are, and dentures are removed from the mouth overnight and soaked in a disinfecting solution. With the proper care and maintenance, implant-retained overdentures can provide their wearers with a lifetime of confident speech and smiles at a reasonable, manageable cost.