When you think of dentures, you may think of denture adhesive or dentures in a glass of water. Today, dentures can be much more than restorations of the past. Modern dentures can add support to your smile without creating problems like slipping, difficulty speaking or biting and chewing issues. Here we will review the differences between traditional dentures and dentures that utilize dental implants in our Chapel Hill, NC, office. We can utilize dental implants to offer more stable, comfortable dental restorations.
What Do Traditional Dentures Offer?
Traditional dentures benefit patients with rows or full arches of missing teeth. Dentures restore the appearance of teeth with false teeth that look natural and blend in with the rest of the smile. Traditional dentures can also make it easier for patients with many missing teeth to restore most of the function of their bite.
While traditional dentures have a quick treatment time and help patients with missing teeth eat and speak, they can sometimes slip. Traditional dentures use adhesive to stay in place, which is not always effective. Large drawbacks of traditional dentures include slipping restorations and difficulty eating. These dentures lay on top of the gums and do not support the jaw bone beneath them, meaning that patients can continue to lose healthy bone while wearing their dentures. Jaw bone loss can create problems like facial sagging, which can age a patient’s appearance by many years.
Dentures may benefit patients who want to improve the aesthetics of their smiles, bite, or chew, but they do not offer enough support to restore the full function of the smile.
Implant-Supported Dentures
Dental implants are cylindrical titanium posts that we surgically place in the jaw bone. Implants can secure a variety of restorations, from bridges to single dental crowns and dentures. As few as four dental implants can secure a lower or upper denture.
While dental implants require longer treatment times, many patients find that implants provide the stability that traditional dentures cannot. Dental implants support teeth at the root, meaning that restorations like implant-secured dentures will stay in place. These restorations also support healthy bone and gums, adding structure to support the jaw bone. Implant-supported dentures also typically last longer than traditional removable dentures. The dental implants themselves are permanent. If patients continue to brush and floss their gums and dentures, their restorations will last for many years.
Are you missing permanent teeth? Do you need dentures but want a more secure option for your smile? Call us for a denture consultation today at 919.736.6175. We will help you decide if implant-secured dentures are right for you. You can also request a dental appointment with us on our website.