A set of implant-supported dentures stay in position, with no slippage, for years on end. In contrast, regular old dentures wear out over time. Ill-fitting dentures have been known to cause embarrassing scenes that have been immortalized in countless movies and TV shows.
So, if you are missing most or all of your upper teeth, you should consider dental implants. An implant is placed in the jaw, where it integrates with the bone. The implant connects to an abutment, which in turn connects to a set of dentures. This means that part of the abutment sits below the gums while part of it sits above the gum line.
Dental implants are steady, immovable anchors that allow dentures to function like a set of natural teeth. If you want a life free of slurred words, constant repairs and the possibility of dentures falling onto the dinner table, this article is for you.
These are simply dentures that are held in place by dental implants embedded in the jaw, much in the same way that a natural tooth is held in place by its root. Implant dentures can be permanent, like All-On-4® dentures. Such dentures fasten onto implants with the help of screws.
There are also removable dentures, also known as overdentures. They come with clasps (or some other type of connector) that latch onto the abutments. A person wears the dentures by fastening the connector onto the abutments. They take them off by disengaging the connector from the abutments and lifting the dentures out of the mouth.
How many dental implants does it take to secure a set of dentures in place? For fixed dentures like all-on-4, a dental specialist will place four implants in the jaw. The implant dentures will be fabricated with allowances for the abutment. As such, these allowances or ‘sockets’ are positioned to align with the abutment.
Whenever possible, the dentist will place the maximum number of implants that will comfortably distribute the pressure applied by biting and chewing. They will avoid placing fewer implants. If All-on-4 dentures rest on a single pair of implants, the stress and strain of chewing could dislodge them. This means that the chances of implant failure rise if the number of implants is insufficient.
The process of placing implants for overdentures is not much different from that of All-on-4 implant dentures. The difference is that some dentists will opt to place two implants instead of four.
Traditional upper dentures are usually more stable than lower dentures, so it is possible to find a person with overdentures on their lower jaw and regular dentures for their upper teeth. There are people who have implant-supported dentures on their upper jaws instead.
Like with the lower jaw, All-on-4 implant dentures can replace missing upper teeth. As can a set of overdentures.
A dentist will recommend the type of implant dentures that will work best for an individual patient. In some situations, the dentist may advise the patient to forego implants on the upper jaw altogether.
Thanks to dental implants, you can enjoy a set of teeth that work just like natural teeth. Are you interested? Then call or visit our Sunnyvale office to set up a consultation. Our dentist will evaluate you and advise you on the best way to upgrade your smile.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Denture care and maintenance are vital to the health and functionality of both the dentures and your overall oral cavity. Various care tips and maintenance protocols can help you prolong the life of your dentures, depending on whether they are fixed or removable. Nonetheless, patients should treat their dentures as normal teeth and continue visiting…
Full dentures can replace the teeth of each dental arch. Your gums and saliva will form a seal to help keep them in place. Getting these restorations can be life-changing. Understanding what will happen after getting them can help prepare you for each step. Here are the things you must look forward to after getting…
Dentures are a great solution for people who have lost some or all of their teeth. They can restore one's ability to eat and speak properly and improve the overall appearance of your smile. However, you may have questions about the denture process, from the initial consultation to the final fitting. This blog article will…
Gum disease treatment is necessary for patients whose tooth decay has progressed enough to cause inflammation of the gumline. Without proper treatment, the gum disease will continue to worsen. Dentists have access to specialized tools that patients cannot use in their homes to remedy the issue. While each person’s oral health situation is unique, most…
Denture care and maintenance are vital to the health and functionality of both the dentures…
Full dentures can replace the teeth of each dental arch. Your gums and saliva will…
Dentures are a great solution for people who have lost some or all of their…
Gum disease can be tricky to eliminate, especially without help from a dental professional.
Cosmetic dentistry is meant to help patients feel more confident in their smiles.
Dentures can replace teeth right away. It is a common solution to tooth loss. Because…