Denture Stabilization
With dentures being introduced around 700BC, they have long since been used to replace missing teeth but with varying materials. Most people are familiar with the short comings of dentures that include poor fit and discomfort. In general, they do not allow people to live their lives without complications.
One of the most recent advancements with dentures is the use of dental implants to stabilize the dentures. This combination of dental treatments allows people to maximize the affordability of dentures and avoid many of the downsides of the tooth replacement device. Dental implants are most often used for single tooth replacements, but the cost to replace a whole smile with individual implants as compared to dentures is significant.
The simplicity of replacing all the missing teeth with just one prosthetic is met with low price tag. A full set of dentures can cost the same as just two implants. The downside of the low price tag and simplicity is the limitation of food choices. The dentures consistently slip around and move while eating and talking. The denture adhesives have a bad taste and some even have ingredients that can cause long term side effects.
What is Dental Stabilization?
When implants are added in your mouth to keep your dentures in place is the best way to describe denture stabilization. Instead of worrying that when you bite into a sandwich and your teeth will come out, you can count on the strategically place implants securing your dentures. By using dental implants you may find that little moments throughout your day are easier like smiling in photos and talking with friends.
Benefits of Denture Stabilization
Your life will noticeably improve in small and large ways including:
- Better digestion If you can chew your food better, then your digestive tract will not have to work as hard.
- Improved comfort
- Ease of cleaning To clean stabilized dentures is to brush your teeth with a soft bristle brush and tooth paste and floss daily.
- Fewer mouth and gum sores
- Improved talking Without the dentures sliding around, you will be able to speak more clearly.
- Permanent solution for missing teeth
- Health restoration through better nutrition
How Does it Work?
The process of denture stabilization involves the dentist placing implants into the jaw bone. Then attachments called abutments are placed on top of the implants where the dentures will connect to the implant. Unlike regular dentures that have no secure support in your mouth, stabilized dentures rely on the jaw bone to secure the implant. You will need to have enough jaw bone to support the dental implant and allow the post to fuse with the bone. With the implants in place, they stimulate the jaw bone and prevent future bone loss. The dentures are then attached to the implants once they are healed and then the dentures can’t be removed at all. People can combine stabilized dentures with other tooth replacement options like fixed crowns and bridgework.
Types of Stabilized Dentures
When talking to the dentist about you options with stabilized dentures, there are two types to consider.
Ball Retained Dentures
These are also known as stud-attachment dentures and the implants have abutments that are used to fit onto the attachments on the dentures. The abutments are typically in the shape of balls and the ones on the dentures are usually sockets. There may be instances where these two attachments are reversed, but the same two types of attachments are used.
Bar Retained Dentures
These types of dentures require anywhere from two to five implants in each jaw bone. There is a metal bar that attaches to each of these implants. The denture goes over the bar where clips keep the dentures in place. The clips can be on the implants, dentures or both.
Understanding Denture Stabilization
People avoid buying and using dentures because of the poor fit and constant movement of the dentures in their mouths. This is not an issue with denture stabilization because the implants keep the dentures in place securely. This modern version of dentures is gaining in popularity and they are proving to help prevent future jaw bone loss. Traditional dentures need to be replaced every few years because the jaw bone changes shape. On the other hand, stabilized dentures are a permanent solution. Traditional dentures need to be removed at night for cleaning in a denture solution but stabilized dentures are only removed by a dentist once they are in place. No more tedious denture cleaning routines for dentures; instead, you can brush your stabilized dentures just like you would natural teeth. If your stabilized dentures are able to be removed, you will be able to take those out at night and brush your mouth. The nightly cleaning will disinfect the dentures and remoisturize them for the next day’s wear.
Why Missing Teeth Should Never Be Ignored
After losing teeth to gum disease or a traumatic injury, some people are not able to address their missing teeth right away. Whether it’s a financial restraint from the out of pocket cost or a time restraint from not being able to make and keep multiple dental appointments, it is important to work towards addressing the missing teeth sooner rather than later. You should not consider living with missing teeth because of the serious oral issues that can arise from the gap. Its important to consider some of consequences of having missing teeth:
- Loss of facial structure in your cheek and mouth area
- Problems speaking or developing a lisp
- Issues eating foods depending on where the missing tooth is located
- Instant aging
- Decreased self esteem
Have you read enough about denture stabilization to consider it as a treatment option for your missing teeth? One your dentures are securely locked in place in your mouth with the help of dental implants, your life will most definitely improve. Tooth loss is common for many people as they get older and the appeal of dentures may become more and more of a reality. Keep in mind that dentures are not what they were when your grandparents wore them and people may not even know that you have them in your mouth as you go about your day.