Denture Stabilization
If you are looking to replace more than one missing tooth and you are looking at the different treatment options, the dentist may talk to you about dental implants or dentures. There is also a hybrid of those treatments that combines the affordability of dentures with the stability of dental implants. With millions of people in the US missing one or more of their natural teeth, many people have experience with dentures, dental bridges and dental implants. Most dentists would agree that dental implants are the most effective way to replace missing teeth with the most natural looking and acting results. When you are looking to replace more than one tooth, dental implants can start to become very expensive.
Despite their shortcomings, dentures are very popular due to their affordability. One dental prosthetic can replace multiple or even all missing teeth with a smaller price tag. Dentures for your entire mouth can cost the same as two or three implants.
The biggest issue most people have with dentures is the inability to eat the foods they used to eat without any issue. Dentures can slide around while chewing or even talking and can leave your gums with sores. Dental adhesives that help keep dentures in place can cause bad residual tastes taking away the ability to enjoy food.
Understanding Denture Stabilization
Despite the lower cost of dentures as a tooth replacement, many people do not consider wearing dentures due to the instability of the prosthetic. Dentures tend to continuously move along the gums causing inflammation, irritation and even gum sores. Now dentists have been able to combine the security of dental implants with the cost effectiveness of dentures.
The dentist will place implants into the jaw bone at specific locations in the mouth to support and secure the implants into place. This improvement has become increasingly popular as a solution for people looking to replace their missing teeth. Depending on the type of attachment between the dentures and the implants, the implant overdentures can be set permanently in place. The dentist will be able to remove the dentures for repairs or adjustments, if necessary.
When these dentures are set in place and secured to the implants, the patients will no longer need to worry about removing them for the traditional cleaning. The patient will still need to brush their mouth, like they would their natural teeth. If the dentures can be removed, then the patient will need to soak the dentures in a denture cleaning solution to moisturize and clean the device.
When compared to traditional dentures, stabilized dentures offer the following benefits:
- Brushing and flossing just like natural teeth
- Less maintenance than traditional dentures
- Decreased risk of gum sores and inflammation
- Decreased risk of gum infections from poor fitting dentures
- More comfortable than traditional dentures
- Less movement while eating or talking
- Easier to chew food, resulting in better digestion, and improved overall health
- Easier to talk with them as compared to dentures allowing for clearer diction
- A permanent solution to replacing missing teeth
Why Missing Teeth Should Never Be Ignored
If you did not lose your tooth in an accident or your missing tooth is not near the front of your mouth, you may not feel too much pressure to replace your missing tooth. When reviewing your tooth replacement options of dental implant, dentures, or dental bridge, you may notice that it will usually take more than one appointment and it may require an investment you were not planning on making. Making the time to replace your missing tooth and making room in your budget is not only important to restoring your mouth to a complete smile, but to prevent future dental problems and maintain good overall health. If you are considering delaying replacing a missing tooth, then you will also struggle with these disadvantages:
- Facial structure break down
- Problems speaking and articulating
- Trouble eating and chewing thoroughly and properly leading to poor digestion
- Premature aging or older appearance
- Decreased self esteem and confidence
When you are talking to the dentist about your tooth replacement options or if you are looking to replace most or all of your teeth, the top solutions will certainly include dentures. When you have dentures instead of missing teeth, you will be able to have more confidence and security in your appearance. Your cheeks and jaw will have more structure without your lips puckering and leaving you with a more wrinkled appearance. While dentures may come with their own irritations like moving around while eating, dentists have combined the simplicity of dentures with the security of dental implants. Dentures can be stabilized in your mouth to allow you to chew more fibrous foods without discomfort and more assurance when speaking.
How Does it Work?
In order for the dentist to use denture stabilization in your mouth, the dentist will need to place a number of implanted posts at specific locations in your jaw bone. The implanted posts heal into the bone through a process called osseointegration which allows the implants to fuse with the bone like natural teeth roots. The posts have a special attachment that sits above the gum line to hold the dentures to the implants. While regular dentures sit on top of the gums relying on suction or denture adhesive to stay in place, stabilized dentures use the jawbone for support. Not only do the implants support the dentures and keep them in place while eating and talking, but the implants stimulate the jaw bone preventing bone loss over time. Dentures alone will lead to bone loss and will need to be adjusted regularly to account for the change in your jaw shape in order to maintain proper fit. Depending on the type of attachment used with your implants, your stabilized dentures may be able to be removed at home or may require the dentist to remove them.
Types of Stabilized Dentures
Two main types of denture stabilizations are commonly used; they are ball-retained and bar-retained. These descriptions apply to the abutment that sits on top of the implant that connects to the dentures. Ball-retained dentures, or stud-attachment dentures, have a metal attachment that fits onto attachments on the dentures. The implant has a ball shaped attachment and the denture has a socket shaped attachment or in some cases, the attachments are reversed. Bar-retained dentures use between two to five implants to keep the dentures in place. The implant holds a metal bar that curves around your jaw where the denture attaches and clips in place.