Dentures and implants are two good options with a wide range of benefits and disadvantages between them. If only there was a way to enjoy the benefits of both options. There is! That way is by choosing implant-supported dentures. Here’s what you need to know.
The world of dentures
Dentures are a replacement for missing teeth. Partial dentures replace multiple teeth. Full dentures provide full artificial teeth for either the upper or lower jaw, or both. Dentures are formed from artificial bases that rest on your gums and jaw bone and that contain artificial teeth designed to look completely natural.
An upper denture rests on your upper gums and jaw bone and includes a base that covers the roof of your mouth. Your lower denture also sits on your gums and jaw but is shaped differently — much like a horseshoe — in order to leave room for your tongue. While that’s a basic description of the physical shape of dentures in Scarborough, no two dentures are alike. Rather, each denture is crafted by technicians at a dental laboratory to fit your mouth and jaw precisely based on moulds, impressions, measurements, and images taken by your dentist in Scarborough. Because the shape of your jaw and gums will change over time, dentures in Scarborough need to be relined, adjusted, and even replaced from time to time to ensure an ongoing good fit and effective function.
Traditional dentures are removable (and must be removed overnight to avoid sores, soreness, infection, and to clean them). Stable as they are in the best possible case, they aren’t fixed in your mouth but rest on your gums and rely on the suction (and in some cases, adhesive) to remain in place.
The world of dental implants
Dental implants you can obtain through a dentist near you are artificial tooth roots that are made out of titanium. The implant is placed directly into your jaw bone where it is accepted as natural tissue and fuses to the bone over several months through osseointegration. That implant acts as an anchor for a replacement crown, bridge, or even denture.
Implants are not removable but, if you maintain good oral health, can last a lifetime. Restorations attached to a dental implant via an abutment are supported directly by your jaw bone without any need to rest or rely on your gums. Because they’re rooted into your jaw, implant-supported restorations are completely stable and move with your jaw (without any slippage or loose feeling) as if they were completely natural teeth. Today, you can get the benefit of both dentures and implants by obtaining implant-supported dentures from a dentist near you.
Implant-supported dentures: The best of both worlds
Because dental implants are rooted directly into your jaw just like natural teeth, they are as stable as healthy natural teeth and never need to be removed. That stability allows your replacement teeth to function completely naturally when it comes to eating, chewing, speaking, and even smiling.
Wearing traditional dentures for a prolonged period can result in bone loss in your jaw. Because your natural teeth roots are missing, your jaw bone experiences atrophy that undermines the strength and shape of your jaw. Getting dental implants near you halts bone atrophy. In fact, the titanium roots stimulate healthy bone growth.
Unlike dentures that need to be adjusted regularly to accommodate changes in the shape of your jaw, implant-supported dentures never need to be adjusted.
While it’s true that getting implant-supported dentures near you is a lengthier, more expensive and invasive option compared to traditional dentures, those factors are balanced by the fact that implant-supported dentures provide a lifelong solution that eliminates the need for any lifestyle compromises. You’ll be able to live as you have a complete natural set of teeth.
To find out the next step to claiming the combined benefits of dentures and dental implants for yourself, contact a dentist in Scarborough for an evaluation and consultation.