Tooth loss is a common problem. In fact, 42% of Americans over the age of 65 are missing all of their teeth. Unfortunately, a lack of natural teeth can severely limit your biting force, restricting you to softer foods and limiting your diet. Natural teeth can withstand a biting pressure of up to 540 pounds per square inch, and replicating that isn’t easy.
The question is, is it possible to regain the biting force you had with your natural teeth?
Dentures Allow You to Chew, but Not as Much
Dentures are a traditional tooth replacement method through which false teeth are fitted over the gums and attached with a form of adhesive. Unfortunately, the chewing power of dentures can fall as low as 50 pounds per square inch while chewing. That means you’ll have to say goodbye to food like tougher beef, which takes a grinding force from 70-90 pounds to chew successfully.
Dentures also have a tendency to slip, even when using adhesive, and the constant pressure on the gums can also break down the structures in the jaw. So how can you get closer to the experience of having real teeth?
Dental Implants Give You Your Bite Back
Dental implants consist of titanium screws that integrate with the jaw to act like natural roots of your teeth. The roots of teeth, along with jaw strength, are the two main factors that determine biting force. This means that dental implants allow users to regain a biting pressure that’s as close as possible to what they had with natural teeth. Most dental implants create a biting pressure of about 450 pounds per square inch.
The use of dental implants has nearly tripled since the 1980s, largely due to high rates of success and a significant increase in chewing power. They can also be used to secure existing dentures, preventing slipping and jaw decay and expanding the range of foods you can eat.
Dental implants allow people to maintain diverse, balanced diets. They also give wearers the confidence to smile without fear. Talk to your dentist to see if dental implants could help you restore your biting strength to its prime.
