Can You Permanently Attach Dental Dentures?

Lost teeth can cause a lot of dental problems. While missing teeth may be due to age, the genetic makeup of the patient, dental diseases, or physical trauma, leaving it unattended for a prolonged period can lead to other problems. Many patients who have come to Asha Dental, a top dental clinic, have reported some complications arising from unattended missing teeth. Not only does the jaw around the affected area begin to shrink due to lack of use, but the teeth in the surrounding areas may also begin to shift in position, thus affecting the placement of the teeth. Missing teeth, when left unattended, can also lead to changes in the physical appearance of the patient due to the shrinking of the jaw. All of these can be addressed by restorative dental procedures.

Different restorative dental procedures can be used to address missing teeth problems. One of the commonest procedures is dentures. Dentures are one of the most affordable ways to restore missing teeth as well as the appearance and appeal of the patient’s smile. Dentures are designed to contain false teeth attached to a gum-like plastic base that secures them in the mouth. Dentures are regarded as the best option for patients who have lost most or all their natural teeth.

However, dentures seem to pose a major problem for most users, especially as they complain about their movement around the mouth when chewing, talking, or performing other tasks involving the mouth. With this complaint, speaking or chewing properly may be a problem, and it may take the patient some time to adjust to the inconvenience.

To better address this major complaint, there are now stable, permanent dentures, known as implant-supported dentures, installed to securely fit without movement irrespective of the tasks performed. There are two major types of implant-supported dentures that patients can choose from.

Removable Implant-Supported Dentures

 

Patients who have lost most or all of the entire upper or lower teeth often receive dentures as the recommended restorative dental procedure. Removable implant-supported dentures are a lot more secure than traditional dentures that shift around in the mouth. This type of denture is not permanent, as the name suggests.

The removable implant-supported dentures have been designed with a snap-on mechanism that holds them in place and saves the wearer of the common problem associated with the traditional dentures. For this denture, the patient is required to remove the denture and engage in the same time-consuming process of cleaning it to maintain proper oral hygiene.

Non-removable or Screw-in Implant-supported Dentures

This type of dentures has been designed to be permanent, which means they cannot be removed and are fitted sturdily. Thus preventing its movement as in the case of traditional dentures. The screw-in dentures are attached to implants via screws and offer added support and functionality for chewing.

With the permanent implant-supported dentures in place, the wearer does not need to worry about the chances of being embarrassed by denture accidents. Wearers can also save time by engaging in a less stressful cleaning process as compared to the process required to clean the removable dentures.

Disadvantages of Traditional Dentures

There have been several advances over the years in terms of restorative dentistry. Patients who have lost one or more of their teeth can now avoid the common disadvantages associated with traditional dentures. Some of these common disadvantages include the discomfort associated with wearing the traditional denture, a rather unnatural look that gives the wearer away and can make them conscious of their smile.

Other common disadvantages include;

 

– Neurologic issues may arise due to denture adhesives that contain elements like zinc

– Dentures can affect the wearer’s ability to taste food

– Traditional dentures can increase the wearer’s insecurity and self-consciousness, leading them to worry about it falling out of their mouth constantly.

– Traditional dentures make it difficult for wearers to chew on certain food items.

Advantages of Choosing the Implant-Supported Dentures

If you have chosen the modern implant-supported denture, especially the permanent one, you can rest assured that you will enjoy a wide range of advantages, including improved confidence in the quality and appearance of your smile, less worry about the chances of the dentures shifting or falling off, improved comfort from wearing the denture, a more natural look and appearance, and more.

Wearers will also find that the implant-supported dentures make it a lot easier to bite and chew on food items, thus improving digestion while also being easy to clean.