If you’ve lost all your teeth, you’re not alone. In fact, research shows at least 35 million Americans don’t have any natural teeth in one or both arches. If you’re like many adults, you probably chose dentures to rebuild your smile. Unfortunately, they didn’t quite meet your expectations. Despite several improvements over the years, traditional dentures will always have their limitations. You don’t need to live with the slipping and irritation. You can stabilize your smile with implant-retained dentures.
A traditional denture is made using an impression of your mouth to create an acrylic base and prosthetic teeth. The base rests on top of your gum tissue and is held in place using suction or an adhesive. Although it’s effective, it will never truly feel natural.
As an alternative to a traditional denture, you can support your new smile using 4 to 10 dental implants. Titanium posts are surgically placed into your jawbone to serve as new roots. This anchors your denture to your jaw, so you’ll never need to worry about any slipping or irritation again.
If you’ve suffered significant tooth loss and a conventional denture didn’t give you the results you wanted, you might be a candidate for implant-retained dentures. You’ll require a thorough consultation with your dentist to ensure they are right for you. Generally, you can benefit from them if you have:
The process of rebuilding your smile will occur in several steps. After you’ve healed from any previous treatments, like bone grafting, you’ll undergo your implant placement surgery to insert the posts into your jawbone. It will take several months for your jaw to fuse to the posts through a process called osseointegration. After your jawbone has healed, you’ll have a secure foundation to place abutments on each post to connect your denture.
Using dental implants to replace the roots of your teeth allows you to enjoy various benefits not possible with a traditional denture, including:
If you’re ready to secure your denture, it’s time to see if you’re a candidate for dental implants. We’ll create the customized plan you need to rebuild your smile using a solution that looks and feels natural. Contact our office today to schedule your appointment.