When it comes to replacing all of the teeth in one or both of your jaws, there are traditional and modern choices: full dentures and dental implants. You may think you know everything there is to know about dentures but think again. Dentures have come a long way from the dentures your parents or grandparents wear. You might have heard about dental implants, but the exciting new technologies that permit a periodontist in Los Angeles to replace your teeth and roots while restoring all dental functions have incredible life-changing benefits. When it comes to replacing all your teeth, though, here’s the best news: Implant-supported dentures can provide you with the best of both worlds. Don’t choose between dentures and implants. Here’s how to have it all.
If you want to eliminate the need to remove dentures daily, suffer discomfort, experience a poor fit or accept changes to the bone structure of your face over time, getting dentures supported by dental implants near you may be the answer. Not only that, but you’ll also be able to eat all your favourite foods without compromise or sacrifice. Getting implant-supported dentures near you is appropriate for many people, but are they right for you?
How do implant-supported dentures work?
Implant-supported dentures in Los Angeles are a unique application of dental implants. They are made from three components: a titanium post that is placed directly in your jaw bone, an abutment that connects the post to restoration; and the restoration that will replace the teeth in your mouth. In some circumstances, that restoration is a crown to replace an individual tooth, a bridge to replace multiple teeth or — in the circumstances we’re talking about here — dentures to replace all the teeth in your jaw. Complete dentures can be held in place with as few as four implants.
Those titanium posts are completely integrated into your body by a process of osseointegration between the biocompatible post material and your own bone tissue. That process means the posts will act as roots as strong and durable as natural tooth roots themselves.
Once you’ve recovered from the implant procedure and the process of osseointegration is complete, your periodontist in Los Angeles will attach a set of dentures that have been custom-made to replace your teeth onto the abutments connected to your implants. Implant-supported dentures near you are held in position permanently as opposed to having to be removed every night.
What are the benefits of implant-supported dentures?
Replacing your missing teeth will improve your health by allowing you to eat a full range of healthy foods, including raw fruits and vegetables and formerly hard-to-chew proteins.
Replacing your missing teeth will prevent your face from developing a sunken appearance that will make you look far older than you really are.
You won’t need to remove implant-supported dentures to brush and soak them or to give your gums a break, and you won’t have to worry about dentures irritating your gums. You’ll be able to take care of the dentures in your mouth just like they were your own teeth. Because your new dentures won’t rub against your gums like traditional dentures, you won’t experience soreness and irritation.
If you’ve lived with traditional dentures in the past or heard your grandparents’ horror stories, don’t give a second thought to tales of loose-fitting and slippery dentures. That won’t be your experience. Implant-supported dentures fit as securely and confidently as your own healthy teeth even as you laugh, eat, chew, smile and even sing.
How to find out if implant-supported dentures may be right for you?
In order to hold dental implants to support dentures, you need to have adequate bone volume in the front and molar areas of your jaw to support the implants themselves. Your periodontist will examine your jaw and take dental x-rays to confirm that you have adequate bone mass and density and will tell you what can be done to improve the condition of your jaw, if necessary, to bring implants within reach. A periodontist near you will also carefully review your medical history, jaw anatomy and the condition of your teeth and gums to ensure you’re a good candidate for implant procedures.
To find out if getting implant-supported dentures in Los Angeles may be the right solution for your tooth loss and a good fit for your lifestyle, make an appointment with Nima Ebrahimi DDS for a consultation.