Dentures are one of the oldest forms of tooth replacement. Arguably dating back to 700BC, dentures have been with us for quite some time. They have also, however, come quite some way from being constructed from wood or animal bone. Although modern dentures may look the part, the one thing they haven’t overcome is that dreaded slippage problem and its impact on your speech, eating and confidence. But working in conjunction with dental implants they look and act like a natural tooth.
What are implant retained dentures?
Picture your favourite set of dentures. Now, rather than having them held in place by natural gum suction or that awful adhesive, imagine they are just there. Implant retained dentures are essentially dentures held in place by metal implants!
Standard procedure
The implants will be fitted by making small incisions in your gums and then drilling into your jaw. The implants are then fitted and your gums are left to heal. Once the implants are fully integrated, your denture can be attached and you’ll be ready to smile!
The advantages of implant retained dentures
The most obvious one is the peace of mind that comes from knowing they won’t be slipping. There are few greater ways of knocking one’s confidence at a cocktail party than worrying that your teeth may fall into your drink… Perhaps the greatest advantage, however, is the practical impact that implant retained dentures will have on your speech and eating. You can gorge yourself and talk till the cows come home without ever worrying that they will break or fall out. Implant retained dentures also look incredibly similar to natural teeth, make denture care extremely simple and can even help prevent bone loss. Dentures worn without implants will compress the gingival and lessen blood flow to the bone, thus speeding up bone loss. Implant retained dentures, however, stimulate the surrounding tissue, preventing this and sometimes encouraging bone growth.
Am I suitable?
Sadly, implants aren’t for everyone. If you take care of your teeth and don’t smoke, then you should have nothing to worry about! Regardless, pop in for a chat and we can let you know if you are eligible.
Tags: denture treatment, Implant retained dentures, Implant retained dentures Liverpool, liverpool
