While many people may not realize it, tooth loss is a serious issue in America. In fact, roughly one in three Americans are missing at least one of their teeth.
Dentures have been the most popular tooth replacement solution for a long time, but they come with several disadvantages. Thanks to dental implants, we can now offer far better alternatives to traditional dentures that will restore your smile and maintain your oral health.
The Drawbacks of Traditional Dentures
Dentures are made from gum-colored acrylic that holds a full arch of replacement teeth in position. While they can be a good option for some patients, there are several clear drawbacks to traditional dentures.
First of all, many find them uncomfortable to wear because they can pinch your gums. They’re also known to slip out of place, which can make speaking and eating very inconvenient. Worst of all, dentures don’t provide any stimulation to your jawbone. As a result, your jawbone will rapidly lose density and lead to further health problems.
Benefits of Implant Dentures
Due to significant advances in implant dentistry, we can now replace your teeth with an implant-supported denture. By anchoring your denture with one or more dental implants, we create a stable restoration that stays securely in place.
Implant-supported dentures offer many benefits over traditional dentures, including:
- More Comfortable — Because they’re not as bulky, implant-supported dentures fit the shape of your gums better and are more comfortable to wear.
- Won’t Slip Out — Enjoy smiling, speaking, and chewing your favorite foods without concern.
- No adhesives — Thanks to dental implants, you can forget about dealing with messy adhesives to hold your dentures in place.
- Protects Your Health — Many patients who wear traditional dentures end up with a sunken face due to loss of jawbone density. Because implants fuse directly with your jawbone in a process called osseointegration, your bone density will remain at a healthy level.
Candidacy for Implant Dentures
Not everyone is an immediate candidate for implant-supported dentures. If you’ve already been wearing traditional dentures or dental bridges, then you’ve likely experienced bone loss which will need to be addressed before placing your implants.
For patients in this situation, we offer a supplemental procedure called bone grafting to strengthen your jawbone and prepare you for implants. During your initial consultation with Dr. Silvoy, he’ll examine your oral health to determine if bone grafting or any other supplemental treatments will be necessary for you.
Treatment Options
For patients interested in full mouth implant-supported dentures, we have three options available at our practice:
- Snap-On Overdentures — This treatment involves snapping a removable denture onto at least two dental implants. An implant attachment holds the denture in place, while also allowing for easy removal to clean.
- Hybrid Dentures — Hybrid dentures provide the benefits of fixed dentures with the convenience of removable ones. This method involves placing several dental implants in your jaw and attaching a denture through metal screws. Your hybrid denture will stay fixed in place, but your dentist can unscrew it for maintenance when you come in for your regular teeth cleanings.
- Fixed Dentures — Unlike the other two options, fixed dentures are never removed. They can be cleaned like natural teeth, with no need to buy special products or go through the hassle of re-attaching them to your implants. While this treatment typically takes more time than the other two, the permanence and stability of your new teeth will make it worthwhile.
Visit Dr. Silvoy For Full Mouth Implant-Supported Dentures
If you’re in need of a full arch restoration, implant-supported dentures are an excellent option for you. We have two convenient locations in Durham and Raleigh to provide the dental care you need.
The first step is to schedule a free consultation with Dr. Silvoy to evaluate your oral health – he’ll listen to your goals and develop the ideal treatment plan for you. Contact our practice today and learn how implant-supported dentures can restore health, beauty, and functionality to your smile.