Imagine a lovely picnic in the park or an evening at your favorite restaurant. All is well until dinner is served. Suddenly, you find yourself faced with crusty artisan bread, corn on the cob, or thick steak and wondering: Will you be able to eat it without pain, and will your dentures stay in place? Most of all, how can you avoid this embarrassing, uncomfortable situation? The answer is implant-supported dentures (overdentures) from Elite Smiles of Pflugerville.
An implant is a small device made of titanium, usually similar in size to a tooth root. It is placed in the jawbone with minor oral surgery. Over the next few weeks or months, the bone will attach itself to the implant in a process known as osseointegration. Essentially, a dental implant is an artificial tooth root, and the human body accepts it as if it were natural.
The most obvious reason that patients choose dental implants is the ultimate stability of replacement teeth. No matter what you eat, you won’t need to worry about them slipping because they are attached to the bone. Furthermore, they help preserve bone health. Chewing or any other pressure applied to teeth is transferred to the root or implant, and then on to the jawbone. When this stimulation is lacking, the bone starts resorbing (shrinking).
You may be an ideal candidate for implant dentures if you currently use removable dentures or need dentures to replace most of your teeth. An advantage over removable dentures is that implant-supported dentures don't require soaking and adhesives. Implant dentures have fewer food restrictions than removable dentures, and implanted dentures can be treated like natural teeth.
The implanted post simulates the natural roots of your teeth, so your jawbone and gums are less likely to become weak. Dr. Sharma will assess your oral health at your appointment to decide if your gums and jaw can securely hold the implants. Bone and/or gum graft surgery can be performed to strengthen your mouth before the implants are placed.
Implants are extremely versatile because they do not directly replace teeth. Instead, they replace the roots and can support many different types of restorations – including your own denture. Rather than topping the implant with a porcelain crown or bridge, we add a small attachment. Your dentures are retrofitted with corresponding attachments, allowing them to snap in place over the implants. Typically, just a few implants are needed to support a full denture.
Are you ready to end your denture troubles? Call us for an appointment.
It may be tempting to leave your implant dentures in overnight, whether from forgetfulness or convenience. However, we urge our patients to always remove their dentures at night and ensure they are cleaned properly. This treatment will ensure the longevity and efficacy of your implant dentures.
With your newly-restored mouth, we know you will be excited to eat again! However, your new teeth will take some time to adjust. Here at Elite Smiles, we encourage you to take your time and begin with soft, easy-to-chew foods. As your mouth adjusts to your new implant dentures, you will be able to notice a growing confidence in what you can eat and chew.
It's a good idea to treat your implant dentures with extra care and attention to cleaning. Just like your healthy teeth, we suggest brushing them twice a day for at least two minutes at a time. In addition, we can demonstrate to you how to floss your new dentures so as to keep them as clean as possible.