Losing the majority of your teeth can lead to serious oral health problems, such as poor nutritional intake or difficulty speaking clearly. However, we can help replace them with a prosthetic. Instead of a removable one, we can secure a set of dentures with dental implants. Do you qualify for implant-retained dentures?
The Dangers of Tooth Loss
When we lose several teeth, we can suffer from a number of serious complications. In addition to the lack of nutritional intake (due to relying on mainly soft foods) and trouble speaking clearly, you can experience loss of jawbone density. The lack of tooth roots means the body stops supplying the jawbone with calcium and phosphorus, causing the bone tissue to dissolve. Eventually, you can develop facial collapse, which leads to a significantly older appearance.
Implant Dentures vs. Removable Prosthetics
Removable dentures consist of an acrylic base that mimics the appearance of natural gum tissue. There is also a full row of replacement teeth. The prosthetic is held in place with natural suction. With the implant alternative, we place six to eight implant posts, which the prosthetic will snap onto. The resulting prosthetic will look natural and won’t slip when you eat or speak. The implants can also stimulate jawbone growth, helping you avoid facial collapse.
Do I Qualify?
We will need to look at your jawbone and gum health to see if this is the best option for you. If you don’t have a strong enough jawbone, you may need bone grafting to ensure your smile can support the dentures. In addition, the presence of advanced gum disease (periodontitis) can lead to implant failure. If you have any questions about implant-retained dentures, then please contact our office today.
