Implant Dentures: A Sturdy Solution for Tooth Replacement

Have you ever tried a solution you knew wouldn’t work, yet you kept trying anyway? We’ve all encountered this situation at one point or another. Albert Einstein is famously attributed with saying, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Others might call this stubbornness “trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.” However you want to say it, it just doesn’t make sense to keep trying an option that isn’t working when others are available. So why are so many people still using the same old-fashioned dentures they used to see on their grandparent’s nightstands? A much better idea is to try a more modern, stable, and functional solution: implant dentures.

The Problem With Traditional Dentures

While widely used, traditional dentures have plenty of drawbacks. Conventional dentures are bulky and don’t look or feel like natural teeth. Their extra acrylic also limits your ability to taste your food. They need to be constantly cleaned and adjusted, and they risk damage or loss due to their removability.

However, one of the biggest strikes against them is that they don’t prevent your jawbone and facial muscles from deteriorating. This loss of bone and tissue causes your face to change shape over time, which affects your jaw function and leads to facial sag and a loose denture fit. Without a professional adjustment or messy adhesives, your dentures will begin to float around in your mouth, causing eating and speech difficulties and irritation. Eventually, they will be in danger of slipping or falling out, causing an embarrassing and unwanted incident.

Implant dentures provide an effective solution to all these problems. They offer stability, comfort, a more natural look, and long-lasting results that traditional dentures cannot match.

Understanding Implant Dentures

Implant dentures are a set of false teeth held in place by dental implants. These implants provide a stable base to attach various prosthetic teeth, such as dentures, crowns, and bridges. Since implant dentures attach securely to the titanium posts rather than relying on suction against your gums, their base can be much smaller. This makes them far less bulky, helping them look and feel much more like your natural teeth. They also won’t affect the taste of food like traditional dentures that cover your palate.

While some implant dentures are still removable for cleaning, other options are more permanent. These options combine the durability of the titanium implant material with false teeth made from zirconia. This material, which is stronger than enamel, helps protect your new teeth from damage.

The Benefits of Dental Implants

Thanks to dental implants, implant dentures provide numerous advantages that extend beyond enhanced stability:

1. Restored chewing function: Missing teeth can profoundly impact your ability to chew various foods. Dental implants restore bite function, allowing you to enjoy a nutritious diet again.
2. Enhanced speech: Teeth play a crucial role in speech production. Dental implants help you pronounce words clearly and regain your confidence in speaking.
3. Natural appearance: Dr. Hall or Dr. McNeil will embed the dental implant into the jawbone. The only visible component is the dental restoration, which we’ll customize to fit your mouth perfectly.
4. Improved self-confidence: Gaps in your smile can affect your self-esteem. Dental implants create a seamless, natural-looking appearance, allowing you to smile confidently.
5. Better bone health: Dental implants are the only tooth replacement solution that stimulates the jawbone, preventing it from deteriorating over time. This feature is essential for maintaining your facial appearance.

Traditional vs. Mini Dental Implants

While traditional implants have existed since the mid-20th century, mini dental implants are an innovation that offers some additional benefits at a smaller size. Traditional implants have an average diameter of about 5 mm, making them unsuitable for individuals with narrow jawbones or low bone density. In such cases, bone grafting surgery may be necessary, adding significant time to the treatment process. Older implants also have a 3-6 month healing time before they are stable enough to support a final restoration.

Mini dental implants, on the other hand, offer a more streamlined approach. They are smaller, measuring less than 3 mm in diameter, and boast a sleek, one-piece design. This construction allows for a simple, minimally invasive placement procedure, significantly reducing patient discomfort and downtime. Unlike traditional implants, we can often place mini implants in a single visit, with new teeth mounted during the same visit. Although mini implants won’t fully fuse with the jawbone for a few weeks, you can still use them immediately.

At Aspire Dental, we understand that the cost of dental implants can be a concern. However, mini dental implants often prove to be far more affordable than traditional implants due to their simpler, faster placement and healing process. You can save on multiple appointments and avoid the need for bone grafting surgery, all without sacrificing durability or efficiency.

Learn More About Implant Dentures at Aspire Dental

Don’t let missing teeth hold you back from enjoying life to the fullest. If you’re ready to take the first step towards a transformed smile and a brighter future, contact us today to schedule a free consultation. Let us show you how implant dentures can drastically improve your life!