Dentures are a terrific tooth replacement option for patients missing most or all of their teeth on their top arch, bottom arch, or both arches. Traditional dentures consist of realistic-looking artificial teeth atop an acrylic base that sits over the gums. This type of denture must be secured to your gums with a strong adhesive. But there is another type of denture that doesn’t require adhesives. This secure and durable tooth replacement option also prevents bone degeneration. Read on to learn about implant-supported dentures!
How Implant-Supported Dentures Work
The foundation of this type of denture consists of several titanium rods surgically inserted into the jawbone. Over the course of several months, this biocompatible material will naturally fuse with the surrounding bone, creating a stable anchor for a future restoration. In this case, either a bar-retained or a ball-retained denture. A bar-retained denture involves metal clasps that snap into a bar that runs along the implants; a ball-retained denture has holes that snap into ball-shaped attachments on the implants.
Preservation of Facial Structure
Bone is in a constant state of remodeling due to cells called osteoblasts and osteoclasts. While osteoblasts build up bone, osteoclasts break down bone. In a healthy mouth, the forces from chewing and biting travel down the tooth roots. This stimulates subsequent bone growth via the osteoblasts. But when the tooth roots are missing, more osteoclasts are at work than osteoblasts, resulting in more bone destruction than bone synthesis.
The surgically-implanted titanium rods protect the jawbone from wasting away. These replacement tooth roots allow physical stimuli to still reach the jawbone, encouraging more activity of the osteoblasts than osteoclasts. This helps to prevent negative changes in your facial structure and shrinkage of your jaw that would otherwise require frequent adjustments to your traditional dentures.
No Slipping, Sliding, or Falling Out
In addition to the benefits for your bone health and appearance, implant-supported dentures stay securely in your mouth throughout the day without slippage. Although modern dental adhesives are stronger than ever before, implants are hassle-free and more reliable. You can eat, talk, smile, sing, laugh, and blow out your birthday candles without worrying your dentures will go flying out.
Worry Less, Smile More!
If you want to learn more about the process to get dental implants or implant-supported dentures, our team at Seaport Family Dentistry would be thrilled to answer your questions! Contact us today.
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