Missing more than a few teeth can impact your ability to enjoy your food and speak usually. Also, aesthetic concerns can dent your self-confidence and smile. Thankfully, there are various restorative treatments available for replacing missing teeth. Instead of regular dentures, you can talk to your dentist about implant supported dentures in Northeast Philadelphia. Here is a quick guide for your help.
Evaluating implant-supported dentures
Let’s start by understanding dental implants. A dental implant consists of an implant post, which is made of titanium. It is placed surgically inside the jawbone and eventually becomes a part of your oral structure. An abutment is fixed to the implant post and serves as a connector. The replacement dentures go on top of the abutment. The dentures include artificial teeth set on an acrylic base to mimic natural gum tissues.
Are implant-supported dentures better than traditional dentures?
The short answer is yes. Unlike traditional dentures that tend to move around and shift inside the mouth, implant-supported dentures are fixed on implants and offer much better comfort. Also, there is no need for denture pastes and adhesives. You can talk to your dentist about Snap-On dentures, which are removable. These dentures can be fixed to your implants and removed when necessary. Your dentist can replace an entire arch of teeth with just two dental implants.
Procedure for getting implant-supported dentures
During your first appointment, your dentist will consider if you are an ideal candidate for implant-supported dentures. They will take 3D images of your mouth and decide the treatment plan. If you have lost significant bone mass, you may need additional procedures, such as a bone graft, before getting dental implants. Placing the dental implants requires surgery, and it can take many weeks for the jawbone to heal and secure the implant posts in place. After recovery, your dentist will fix the replacement dentures on the dental implants with the help of abutments.
Are there any risks?
To get implant-supported dentures, you must be a good candidate for dental implant surgery. Your dentist will consider your overall health and current medications to decide if you can benefit from the option. As with any surgery, there is a risk of infection and bleeding, but as far as your implant-supported dentures are concerned, you don’t have much to worry about. Your dentures will look and feel the same even with years of use.
Let your dentist explain if you can benefit from the option or if getting regular dentures is a better idea.
