Missing teeth transform your mouth and could make you feel insecure about showing your smile. Your dental problems don’t end with aesthetic concerns, though. Missing teeth can cause crooked teeth and a loss of jawbone density. Replacing some or a full set of teeth with dentures makes your mouth appear healthy, but may feel uncomfortable. To fill gaps between teeth, traditional dentures aren’t your only choice. In this article, Rochester family dentist Dr. Gilly Calcagno explains replacing missing teeth with secure, comfortable implant-retained dentures.
Dental Implants
When replacing missing teeth with implants, Dr. Calcagno places small titanium posts into empty tooth sockets. During a period of three to six months, jawbone bonds to the implant with a process called osseointegration. Once anchored to your jaw, your implant receives a fitted crown that aligns with your bite. Dental implants restore lost jawbone density by taking the place of a missing tooth root. When a tooth is lost, the body ceases to send minerals that keep bones strong, like phosphorus and calcium, to the jaw. With an implant, the jaw reacts as it would in the presence of a natural tooth. Implant-supported dentures replace teeth as removable dentures would, but utilize implants for more stability. For the most secure tooth replacement, consider what dental implants can do for you.
Benefits of Implant-Supported Dentures
Traditional dentures on the top jaw stay in place with natural suction, and receive support from adhesive. Typically, these dentures stay in place consistently with minor slippage. Bottom jaw dentures, however, need adhesive to stay in place, and can slip to the point of hindering speech, or falling out during speaking and eating. Sores can develop where slipping dentures irritate gums. With implant-supported dentures, you can speak and eat naturally, as your dentures attach to implants surrounding a gap between teeth, anchored in jawbone. Unlike removable dentures,implant dentures function and feel like normal teeth, because implants won’t move like traditional dentures do.
Schedule an Appointment with Your Rochester Dentist
Talk with Dr. Calcagno about the benefits of dental implants for replacing one or more teeth. Call (507) 281-3659 to schedule an appointment today at our 55902 dentist office. We serve patients from Rochester, Red Wing, St. Charles, Winona, Farmington, and surrounding areas.
