Today’s customization of dentures has eliminated some of the annoying traits of denture-wear, such as denture movement during speech and chewing. The chance that a denture can move, or perhaps even work its way out of the mouth, during conversation or dining out can cause intense anxiety and lack of confidence in some denture patients. Always being on high alert, trying to anticipate how a denture will perform is both frustrating and tiring. A person might wonder if there’s anything that can be done to improve the stability of a denture.
Implant-Supported Dentures
Dental implants aren’t just being used to improve the aesthetics of a retired hockey player who’s missing his front teeth; they can also be used in denture wear, thanks to their ability to create a strong and durable platform for a denture to attach to. Placed directly into a person’s jaw bone, implants are strategically placed to create anchor points for a denture to clip on to. Because the implants are seated securely in jaw bone they provide a rigid structure, allowing the denture to remain stable during functional movement. Chewing and talking no longer have to be stressful and challenging.
New To Dentures? Consider Implants
If you’ve just lost your natural teeth or are scheduled to have them removed in the near future, you may be a great candidate for implant-supported dentures. The success of implant placement is largely influenced by the health and quantity of jaw bone, as the implant requires a certain depth and thickness of bone for long-term stability. With recent tooth loss there is usually an adequate amount of jaw bone to accommodate implant placement, creating an easier transition to dentures for a new denture wearer. Whether a denture is permanently attached to the implants or with the option of removing, an implant-supported denture is worth considering.
Is An Implant-Supported Denture Right For You?
Even if the Tooth Fairy picked up your natural teeth several moon’s ago and you’ve been wearing a traditional denture for some time, you may still benefit from implant-supported dentures. The first step in establishing suitability is to ensure that there is enough jaw bone present. Jaw bone’s natural response to tooth loss is to recede. It knows a tooth is no longer present and therefore doesn’t have to maintain the same level of bone support. If jaw bone recession is advanced then the viability for implant placement needs to be carefully considered.
