If you or someone you love wears dentures, you really should take the time to learn about dental implants. This advanced system of tooth replacement was pioneered about 30 years ago and has been improved upon immensely in recent years with the advent of digital scanning and imaging tools.Today, thanks to dental implants, you can replace your lost teeth with an alternative that offers greater comfort and stability, and better preserves your health and confidence.
The Limitations of Conventional Dentures
Dentures have been the standard form of tooth replacement for hundreds of years, but even with modern moldable plastics they’ve never been able to replicate the feeling of natural dentition. Because they only replace the teeth above the gum line, they put undue pressure on the gums and limit one’s dietary choices. Since the jaw bone changes when teeth are lost, dentures must also be relined periodically, which means they often don’t fit well.
Perhaps the most unpleasant aspect of standard dentures is the effect they can have on one’s confidence and enjoyment of life. If you hesitate to dine with new friends for fear your dentures may slip out of place and embarrass you at the dinner table, you really aren’t able to fully enjoy the benefits of a rich social life. And if your diet must be chosen carefully to avoid too much friction on the gums, you aren’t able to enjoy the full range of nutritious foods around you, either.
Dental implants offer a way to replace lost teeth without any of the drawbacks that define conventional dentures. Today, you have the option of choosing implant-based dentures.
Implant Based Dentures
Implant dentures are different from standard dentures because they mimic the function of natural teeth, top to bottom. Just as natural tooth roots are held firm in the gums, dental implants are equally stable because they are bonded with the jaw bone.
The result is prosthetic teeth that
- stay in place,
- can stand up to crunchy and chewy foods,
- do not put pressure on the gums, and
- preserve your facial structure.
Comfort and versatility is the most obvious benefit to implant-based dentures–but the reason why dentists love implants is because they better preserve the health of your gums and jaw bone.
When natural teeth are lost, the body begins a process called bone resorption, whereby the bone density of the jaw slowly diminishes. Long-term denture wearers often look as though the lower half of their face is shrinking, because that’s literally what happens to the jaw bone.
Dental implants replicate natural tooth roots so well that they prevent the resorption process. With implant-based dentures, you are not at risk for losing bone mass.They also do not irritate the mouth as traditional dentures do, so there are fewer sores and lesions that may contribute to the development of infections and oral cancers.
How It Works
Dental implants are composed of small titanium screws, which are implanted in the jaw during a brief surgical procedure. Usually four implants are enough to support a full arch of dentures. Once the implants have integrated with the natural bone tissue (a process that takes a few months), an abutment is attached, which allows you to attach a set of removable or fixed dentures.
Implant-based dentures are made with a convenient snapping mechanism that holds them firmly in place when you bite and chew. After meals, you can easily remove the denture for rinsing and nightly cleaning.
Take Back Control of Your Life!
With implant-based dentures, you have the freedom to eat a broader range of foods and you’ll never need to worry about dentures becoming dislodged or slipping out of place around others. They offer a more comfortable and natural-feeling alternative to standard dentures–which can enhance your enjoyment of life!
Contact Us to Learn More
If you would like to learn more about dental implants, contact Metropolitan Dental Care. Our team of dentists can help you learn about the process of getting dental implants and assess your candidacy for the treatment. Call us today at 303-534-2626 to set up a consultation in our Denver, CO or Lone Tree, CO dental practice.
