If you have traditional dentures, then you know how frustrating they can be.
On the plus side, they can give you the appearance of a complete smile … as long as they don’t slip out, fall out, or get pushed out of position. On the negative side, those things happen more often than most denture wearers would like.
It doesn’t have to be this way. You can have teeth replacements that for all practical purposes look, feel, and function like natural teeth.
You can get implant-supported dentures at our dentist office in New Albany, IN. Both of our dentists, Dr. Ron Receveur and Dr. Bradley Frederick, have studied at the Midwest Implant Institute where they received advanced training in implant placement.
Let us put our knowledge and experience to work for you. Make an appointment at New Albany Implants by calling (812) 945-7645 or by filling out our online form.
Loose-Fitting Dentures
For many years, dentures were the best available option for replacing a row of missing teeth. Were they better than having no teeth at all? Most of the time, but not always.
Many people are happy when they first get their dentures. Their smiles look “normal” again. They can chew many foods, even if it takes a little more effort than it once did.
With time, however, dentures will almost inevitably become looser. In some instances, they may become uncomfortable or cause sores to develop in your mouth.
As a result, denture wearers can expect to replace their dentures regularly for the rest of their lives. As expensive as dentures already are, they won’t get less expensive the second or third time around.
A big part of the problem is something that you can’t see — your jawbone.
When you had teeth, the pressure created by biting and chewing pushed your roots into your jaw. That pressure was like a signal to your jaw to create new bone tissue. This new tissue is necessary to replace older tissue that has been reabsorbed by your body.
Since traditional dentures rest outside of your gums, they don’t provide the same kind of stimulation to your jawbone. This leads to your jaw slowly shrinking. That changes the shape of your mouth, and that affects how well (or poorly) your dentures fit.
That shrinking jawbone also affects your appearance. You may have noticed people with dentures can start to have sunken in appearance in their faces. Their shrinking jawbone is the reason.
Eating With Dentures
Trying to eat with dentures — even new ones — can be challenging.
Sure, you can find plenty of tips like starting with soft foods and cutting foods into smaller bites. As your jaw keeps shrinking and your dentures become looser, those tips will seem less important.
You probably aren’t going to bite into a fresh, crisp apple since it’s as likely to pull your dentures out. You could eat applesauce, but we all know that’s not the same experience.
Many people with dentures have to make decisions about using a denture adhesive. This can make your “teeth” a little more secure, but it’s still not the same as eating with real teeth. Besides, the adhesive may interfere with the flavor of your food, which may make meals less enjoyable.
Dental Implants Make Dentures Better
Let’s remember the good things about dentures. They look like natural teeth, and when they stay in place, they can give you a nice smile.
So, how can we build on those benefits to make them even better? You can attach them to dental implants.
When the first set of modern dental Implants were placed in the 1960s, that revolutionized teeth replacement. Implants were developed as a prosthetic for the roots of missing teeth. Today’s implants are better than ever and so are the techniques used to place them.
Dental implants can prevent your jawbone from continuing to shrink. With as few as four dental implants, we can create a stable, secure foundation to support your dentures.
With implants, you can feel confident that your dentures will stay in place. Beyond that, you can eat whatever you want to eat. Really, you can, and you won’t need to worry about denture adhesives either.
Want To Learn More About Implant-Supported Dentures?
If so, then you should start by scheduling a consultation at New Albany Implants. Call (812) 945-7645 or contact us online to make your appointment.
We look forward to seeing you and your new smile!