Dentures have been a phenomenal resource for patients suffering from tooth loss, but when we hear the term “denture,” a positive connotation doesn’t necessarily spring to mind.
But worse, what happens when your natural teeth are missing?
The traditional dentures of yesteryear are suddenly rendered useless without a support system to latch onto, you are left with an embarrassing bite and an inability to live like you’re accustomed.
With the specialization of implant-retained dentures or sometimes referred to Snap On Dentures, dental patients around the world are eating better, speaking better, and living better.
At Eastport Dental, Dr. Huynh and his practiced team specialize in implant-based prosthetics - or as they’re more colloquially known, snap-on dentures.
Implant-retained dentures are affixed to dental implants to provide the support and reinforcement usually provided by your natural existing teeth.
While traditional dentures simply lay atop the gum line, they still fall dependent upon existing teeth to anchor them into place. When there are no teeth at all, however, something must be placed within the gum tissue to hold your denture in place.
Implant-retained dentures are available for both the upper and lower jaw.
Anywhere from 2-6 implants may be used in the form of titanium screws, drilled into the jaw where over time they can fuse into the jaw bone, becoming a natural part of the mouth.
The average healing time is anywhere from 3-6 months, and temporary crowns are usually used during this time to allow normal day-to-day activities. Once the implants have properly healed, a second visit will be scheduled in order for you to receive your permanent new denture.
This is a much more intensive alternative to traditional dentures, as it uses the existing bone within your jaw to insert custom attachments that will fasten to your denture with an easy snap. There are, of course, pros and cons to both traditional and implant-retained dentures.
Implants clearly require more in-depth work, but they provide a better fit than traditional gums which can rub against the gum line, causing moderate to severe irritation. Traditional dentures can also hasten bone loss, too, while implants instead create renewed growth.
Implants actually stimulate and encourage growth, providing support to the jaw bone, while traditional dentures instead allow the bone to wither and cease growth.
The healing period with traditional dentures is hindered by a series of natural and external factors. With no growth, the jawbone inevitably shrinks, and the denture begins to require several adjustments spread over several visits.
