By Karl A. Smith, DDS, MS

No matter how well we take care of our teeth, sometimes tooth loss is just a part of life. In fact, studies show that by the age of seventy-four, nearly twenty-six percent of adults have lost all of their permanent teeth. When that happens, dentures that slip over the patient’s gums are usually the solution.

But it’s far from a perfect solution since conventional dentures are not fixed to the jaw and move over the soft tissue of the gum often causing sores and difficulty with eating a wide variety of foods. The only solution has been to use dental adhesives which ‘glue’ the denture to a patient’s mouth. And because it no longer has the stimulation from the roots of the teeth to keep it healthy, the jaw bone under the denture will deteriorate over time which results in the need to have dentures adjusted, relined or new dentures created.

My name is Dr. Smith and I’ve got good news for patients who require dentures. With the use of dental implants, dentures can now be anchored to a patient’s jaw which helps create the look and feel of natural teeth. Regular dentures sit directly on a patient’s gums whereas with implant supported dentures, a dental drill is used to put a screw into the jawbone, which once the bone heals, will be used to secure the dentures to the jaw. Most implant-secured dentures can be removed for easy cleaning although there are fixed implant denture options that become permanent structures in a patient’s mouth.

A thorough dental exam will help a dentist determine whether fixed or removable implant-supported dentures are the best option for each individual patient. Most dentures can be secured with three implant posts but the addition of more posts creates more stability for the denture. The condition of the jaw bone is paramount in determining the number of posts and where they are placed. And while implant-supported dentures are most commonly used for the lower jaw, because lower dentures are typically unstable, implants can be used to stabilize upper dentures as well.

The benefits of implant-supported dentures are many:

-No more loose dentures or the slipping or clicking that can be a part of denture wearing.

-The ability to eat anything and chew well.

-Approved appearance because they look and function like natural teeth.

-Helps preserve the jaw bone.

-The integrity of the facial structure is not compromised.

Implant dentures are very durable and when properly taken care of, will last for a very long time. However, because a patient’s mouth is constantly changing, denture implants need adjusting from time to time. And just like natural teeth, plaque and tooth tarter can build up, which can spread to your gums causing gum disease, so good oral hygiene and regular dental visits are as important with dentures as they are with natural teeth. Just because a patient needs dentures does not mean that they have to endure the challenges that are normally associated with denture wearing.

About the Author: Dr. Karl Smith has been in dental practice for over twenty-seven years. His specialties are periodontics, dental anesthesia and implants. People come from near and far to experience the comfort and professionalism of his office and patient-oriented staff.

DrKarlSmith.com

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