Your natural smile is precious, as you only get one set of adult teeth. Unlike baby teeth, which are meant to fall out, adult teeth are supposed to last you a lifetime! Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than 1 in 7 adults 65 and older in the United States are missing all of their teeth. This is most likely due to gum disease or decay, as the prevalence of both increases with age. However, most tooth replacement options can’t compare to the stability of your natural teeth, affecting your ability to chew foods and speak clearly. Fortunately, St. Appolonia Dental has a better solution! With permanent implant dentures, we mimic both the look of your natural smile and the strength and security. These prosthetics are anchored in place with dental implants, providing a stable solution to total tooth loss.
Why Use Dental Implants?
Traditional tooth replacement methods often fall short in terms of stability. This is due to the constant deterioration in your jawbone, as a result of tooth loss.
Because natural teeth have vital roots that help promote jawbone health, losing teeth affects the density of your jaw. Over time, your bone will resorb, losing mass and volume. Bone resorption has unfortunate consequences, such as:
Wrinkly skin: As your jaw shrinks, the skin around your lips may wrinkle or sag. In many cases, this makes you appear older than you actually are.- Shifting face shape: Additionally, the shape of your face may change over time! The more your bone deteriorates, the more dramatic the shift of your jawline and face shape is!
- Difficulty replacing teeth: Worst of all, the longer you wait to replace missing teeth, the more difficult it becomes. Dental implants require your jaw for support, but the less bone structure you have, the less eligible you are for implant treatment.
Wrinkly skin: As your jaw shrinks, the skin around your lips may wrinkle or sag. In many cases, this makes you appear older than you actually are.Fortunately, dental implants help prevent bone resorption, as they replace every part of your tooth, from the crown to the root. With these titanium screws in place, you can secure a denture restoration that will stay in place while keeping your jawbone healthy and happy!
Understanding Permanent Implant Dentures
While St. Apollonia Dental offers a variety of denture options, we recommend permanent implant dentures for those looking to have their natural teeth back.
While traditional dentures lack the stability of a natural smile, removable implant dentures lack the convenience.
Removable implant dentures require patients like you to remove their teeth for cleaning. This necessary step helps prevent food from remaining underneath the prosthetic, which may potentially lead to infection. These restorations also require frequent visits to the dentist to replace the O-rings, which are the mechanisms responsible for their removability.
In contrast, permanent implant dentures eliminate these extra steps, as you never remove them.
Instead, they are cemented in place on a full mouth of dental implants! These prosthetics don’t require any extra maintenance from you, as you can treat them similarly to your natural smile. Simply brush with a soft-bristle toothbrush, floss with a water flosser, and visit the dentist regularly to keep your smile clean and healthy.
Our Permanent Implant Denture Options
At our office, we offer two permanent implant dentures that both secure on mini dental implants. These implants are the sleeker and smaller version of conventional dental implants, but just as strong. They’re able to secure these dentures in place, restoring your ability to chew and speak effectively.
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A roundhouse bridge is supported by dental implants, allowing us to remove some of the bulky denture base common in traditional dentures. Semi-permanent roundhouse bridge: A roundhouse bridge refers to a row of replacement teeth, featuring a sleek horseshoe-like design that follows the natural curve of your jaw. While technically a bridge, this restoration functions as a denture, replacing all of your teeth. A semi-permanent roundhouse bridge is secured by 6 to 10 mini implants, placed strategically around your jawbone. And while we will remove these dentures at routine visits, you will never remove them yourself. Instead, they stay secure on your implants, functioning like your natural teeth.
- Permanent roundhouse bridge: Unlike a semi-permanent roundhouse bridge, a permanent roundhouse bridge is never removed, even at routine dental visits! Using dental cement, we secure this prosthetic on 10 to 12 mini implants, providing an incredibly strong support that keeps your smile secure. We treat this denture like your natural teeth, brushing, flossing, and performing professional cleanings without removing your restoration. For the closest approximation to having your natural teeth back, we recommend a permanent roundhouse bridge.
Visit St. Apollonia Dental for a Permanent Fix in Sterling Heights
Nothing can truly replace your natural teeth, but a permanent implant denture is the closest you can get. These prosthetics are anchored to your jawbone by dental implants, designed to mimic the stability and strength of your natural smile! With permanent dentures in place, you can enjoy all the foods you love and smile without hesitation.
Book a free consultation today to find out if you’re eligible for a permanent implant solution to total tooth loss!
