Traditional vs Implant-Supported Dentures
Has the time finally come for you to consider options for replacing your teeth? Regardless of whether you’ve lost your teeth as a result of decay, gum disease, or a traumatic event, traditional dentures aren’t your only option. A new innovation in denture technology is implant-retained dentures, otherwise known as snap-on dentures. This form of restoration dentistry provides a beautiful, natural-feeling smile that restores functionality to those who need a single tooth, multiple teeth, or even both arches replaced. Keep on reading this article to discover additional information about this incredible dental innovation and what it can do for you.
What Are Implant-Retained Dentures?
Most people are familiar with traditional dentures. They’re commonly envisioned as sitting in a glass cup on a nightstand; they’ve been a mainstay of dental prosthesis technology for hundreds of years. While materials and manufacturing processes have changed, the overall design remains unchanged. Implant-retained dentures are a major innovation over these antiquated designs, adding a set of titanium studs that are implanted in the patient’s jawbone. Once healed, a snap-on prosthesis is created that can simply be pressed onto and popped off of these implant studs. This makes them behave more like natural teeth while still being easy to clean.
What Are The Benefits of Implant-Retained Dentures?
One of the significant drawbacks of traditional dentures is their tendency to pop-out when speaking or eating with them. Even the adhesives that are used to hold them in place can’t prevent this from happening all the time. Implant dentures don’t require adhesives to hold in place, nor do they pop out during normal eating and speaking. One of the most important benefits of implant-retained dentures is the effect on the patient’s jawbone. Titanium has the unique property of stimulating bone growth and being capable of bonding with patients’ natural bone. With traditional dentures, your jawbone will shrink and deteriorate over time, while implant dentures can actually strengthen your jaw.
Is It Difficult To Care For Implant-Retained Dentures?
These dentures are incredibly easy to care for, no matter which of the two types you get. The first type stays in place throughout the whole year, only being removed during your regular dental visits. The other form can be removed by the patient. In both cases taking care of your dentures starts with regular dental hygiene practices. You simply brush and floss the prosthesis and rinse it with mouthwash. The primary difference is the ability to remove the teeth from your mouth to accomplish this.
If you’ve concluded that the time has come to replace your teeth with implant-retained dentures, reach out to Southwest Family Dentistry in Lake City, FL today! Our dental team works to provide patients in the surrounding area with exceptional care under the guidance of Dr. John Batlle. Pick up the phone to schedule a visit to our offices, and talk to the dentist about dental replacement options that are right for you. We look forward to hearing from you and welcoming you to the Southwest Family Dentistry dental family!
