What is an Attachment Denture?
If dentures are the solution to your tooth loss woes, attachment dentures are a great consideration. Conventional dentures are a game change in tooth loss replacement, allowing you to replace many or all of your missing teeth, keep spacing in your jaw, and enjoy your life. However, some patients report difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking, and smiling with conventional dentures due to mobility. Conventional dentures are adhered using oral gels and putties, which are effective but far from full-proof.
What is an attachment denture?
An attachment denture is a denture which is more secure in your mouth than conventional dentures, thanks to the wonder of the dental implant. A dental implant is a piece of dental prosthetic replacements that is revolutionizing the way your jaw interacts with your new teeth.
As you lose teeth your jaw struggles to hold shape and tissue. Once there is a gap in your smile you are more likely to lose more teeth. As you lose more teeth the stimulation in your jaw disappears, leading to tissue loss and jaw structure deformation.
What is the dental implant procedure?
First, you get an x ray from your dentist. They consider the health of your jaw, recent history of infections, health history, and disease. If you are a candidate for dental implants your dental implant anchor will be placed into the jaw, through the gumline. This anchor provides stimulation to the cells and tissues within the jaw, which activates osteoclasts and bone activity. The tissues grow and encompass the anchor, creating a foundation to build your new smile. After some recovery time, your dental implant crown or overdenture can be affixed to the implant, providing the support of your jaw to your new teeth.
What kinds of attachment dentures are there?
There are implant retained dentures, or bar retained dentures, wherein the denture is affixed to the implants through a snapping mechanism. The implants are secure throughout chewing, speaking, and eating. You can even sleep with them. However, you can also remove them for thorough cleaning and maintenance. Bar retained implant overdentures typically require less implant anchors, less recovery time, and are thus cheaper in the immediate.
Implant supported dentures are dentures which are semi permanently affixed to the dental anchors. The overdentures are removable, but will stay in place until your dentist needs to remove them again. These overdentures are cared for just as your original teeth, with proper cleanings and routine hygiene.
What is the best next step?
Begin by seeing your dentist. Look to treat whatever the root cause of your tooth loss was, and then search for treatment and replacement options. The sooner you replace missing teeth, the less likely you are to continue suffering from tooth loss. Once your dentist feels confident in your dental health, and you are comfortable with the costs, you can begin discussing when to schedule your dental anchor implant procedures. We hope you are looking forward to your new smile as much as we are.