As we age, dentures can be a reality for many of us. In fact, estimates show that over 45 million adults in America wear either a full or a partial denture. And while dentures are a much better option than not having any teeth, they do come with their own set of challenges such as a difficulty with eating certain foods, a clicking sound that happens while talking or even gum sores that develop under the prosthesis.

While these problems have been a part of the experience of wearing dentures, that no longer has to be the case. With the use of dental implants, dentures, or even partial dentures, can be secured in a patient’s mouth, thus eliminating all of the challenges that have been inherent with wearing dentures in the past. With implants to support them, dentures can look, feel and function just like natural teeth. In fact, existing dentures can be modified to be supported by implants or new dentures can be designed for implants from the get go.

The biggest determining factor in whether or not a new or existing denture can be supported with implants is whether or not a patient has healthy gums and adequate bone support for the titanium screws that will be placed in the jawbone. This screw acts like a natural tooth root and through a process called osseointegration, the bone below the gum tissue will actually grow into the grooves of the titanium screw which will become integrated with the bone.

The screw that is implanted in the jaw will be attached to an abutment that will protrude above the gum line and snap into the denture in an area that has been prepared to receive it. Some implant-supported dentures are removable just like regular dentures, others are permanently secured in the mouth and act just like natural teeth.

Implants are most often used for lower dentures that are difficult to wear because they don’t generally stay in place on the jawbone and slipping often occurs. However, upper dentures can be secured with implants as well. Typically lower dentures require two or more implants while upper dentures will require four or more implants.

There are many benefits to having dentures supported by implants:

– The implant acts just like a natural tooth root and keeps the gum tissue and jawbone stimulated and alive.
– The ability to eat all different kinds of foods is restored.
– They eliminate the need for using dental adhesives which can be messy.
– Dentures will no longer slip or click while talking, eating or chewing.
– Gum sores caused by rubbing or ill-fitting dentures become a thing of the past.
– If denture wearing impacted a patient’s speech, that problem will disappear.
– If denture wearing has negatively impacted a person’s self-esteem, because implant-supported dentures look, feel and function like natural teeth, self-esteem can begin to return.

Even implant-supported dentures may need adjusting from time to time because the mouth is constantly changing. And while dentures that are implant-supported are very durable, they do require good daily oral hygiene habits just like natural teeth because plaque and tartar can build up on dentures just like they do on natural teeth, eventually spreading to the gums where periodontal disease can get started.

Needing dentures does not mean that a person has to endure the problems that are common for denture wearers. By using implants to support dentures, patient’s can enjoy the benefits of a full set of teeth without the problems that denture wearers have encountered in the past.

Author Bio: Dr. Pandya received his Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) degree in 2001. He then completed additional training in Aesthetic at University of California Los Angeles. He also completed certificate in Boston Implant Institute for surgical implant and reconstructive surgeries. Dr. Pandya

Category: Medical Business
Keywords: implant-supported dentures, dentures, dental implants, partial dentures