Many patients who have experienced complete tooth loss turn to removable dentures to restore their smiles. A common complaint among these patients is that their traditional dentures tend to come loose too easily, making it difficult to speak and chew comfortably. Using dental implants to secure dentures can resolve these issues while also preserving bone density in the jaw. Click here to learn more about implant overdentures.
The Advantages of Dental Implants
Dental implants are small, titanium posts that are surgically implanted into the jawbone. They function in the same way as a natural tooth’s root to anchor replacement teeth in place. In addition to keeping your dentures in place and strengthening your bite, the implants also stimulate the surrounding jawbone. This is very important for patients who have lost all their teeth. When your jawbone is no longer needed to support teeth, your body resorbs the bone to use the minerals elsewhere. If left untreated, your jaw will continue to shrink, giving your face a sunken appearance and making it progressively more difficult to be fitted for dentures. Fortunately, the presence of implants prevents this issue.
There are many options for applying implant support to stabilize dentures. As you can imagine, the more implants that are used to support the denture, the more secure the fit will be, but the treatment will also be more expensive. By limiting the number of dental implants used, Dr. Stillman is able to offer patients an affordable solution without sacrificing quality.
Snap-On Dentures
Snap-on dentures are held in place by only two dental implants, as shown in the illustration to the right.
The arch is secured by ball snap attachments which allow for some rotation to reduce the torque applied to the implants. Although this means that there will be more movement than you would experience with four or more implants, your denture won’t move from side to side or come loose during chewing. And you will still be able to remove your dentures for cleaning at night.
High-Quality, Affordable Dental Implants
When considering affordable dental implants, the importance of selecting a cosmetic dentist with advanced training in implantology cannot be overstated. Dental implants can fail if placed by an inexperienced dentist, or one that uses discount materials to reduce costs. Repairing a failed dental implant can be difficult and costly.
As a fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI), Dr. Stillman is skilled in the precise and strategic placement of dental implants. She uses only the highest quality implant fixtures and reputable dental laboratories to provide beautiful restorations that will last a lifetime.
If you are interested in high-quality, affordable dental implants to stabilize your dentures, request an appointment online or call the Dental House on Donnelly at (352) 292-0917 to request a complimentary consultation.