Did you know that the prevalence of total tooth loss among adults 65 and over is around 13%? Unfortunately, this prevalence only increases with age. While tooth loss isn’t actually a result of aging, there is a strong association between older adults and losing teeth. This is where the image of an older person with loose dentures comes from, as traditional dentures are a common solution for total tooth loss. However, at St. Apollonia Dental, we believe that everyone deserves a stable smile. Thankfully, we provide secure and effective implant dentures that beautifully restore your smile!
The Drawbacks of Traditional Dentures
Traditional dentures come in two forms: partial or full. A full denture replaces the entire arch of your smile, whether the top, the bottom, or both.
Upper Full Denture
A full upper denture relies on suction to the roof of your mouth, using saliva and a bulky upper plate to keep it in place. While this method can be effective, it is often uncomfortable in your mouth. The large upper plate can cause discomfort and gagging as it nears the back of your throat. Additionally, it covers key taste buds, preventing you from fully tasting the foods and drinks you love!
Lower Full Denture
Lower full dentures rely on the structure of your jawbone to keep them in place. While it may work initially, your lower denture will become loose over time, no longer perfectly fitting in the contours of your mouth. While your denture was custom-made to fit securely, your jawbone will slowly shift and deteriorate over time.
Our natural teeth have roots embedded into the jawbone, keeping your smile secure and stimulating the bone when you chew. Unfortunately, losing teeth results in losing these roots, leaving your jawbone unstimulated! As traditional dentures don’t replace tooth roots, your jawbone will lose mass and volume, causing your denture to come loose.
The Consequences of Loose Dentures
A loose denture causes many problems, such as sores in the mouth, preventing effective chewing, and slipping out when you talk or laugh. To fix your dentrue, you often need a denture reline or replacement, which becomes costly the more you need them.
Fortunately, St. Apollonia Dental provides a more stable alternative with implant dentures that keep your smile secure and happy! Implant dentures are held in place using dental implants, which are titanium posts we place into the jawbone.
The Unmatched Stability of Conventional Implant Dentures
Conventional dental implants are around 5 millimeters in width and consist of three separate parts. To place these implants, we will need to first make an incision in the gums to reach the jawbone. With the jawbone accessible, we use a series of increasingly large drills to create a hole in your bone large enough to fit the implant.
Unfortunately, many patients lack the necessary bone structure for these implants due to the loss of mass and volume in their jawbones. However, with a bone graft—a procedure to repair lost bone—we can place these implants without problem! In fact, a conventional implant is a great solution for those with bone density issues due to its incredible stability.
Once we carefully screw the implant body into place, we stitch up the incision to let your implant osseointegrate—or bond with the bone.
After about 4-6 months of healing, your implant will be ready for the abutment. This component of a conventional implant attaches to the body and sticks up through the gum line to attach a future restoration. Then the implant screw—the last component—holds the two pieces together, forming a complete conventional implant!
After taking impressions, a dental lab will create your denture restoration. When it arrives, we will place it on your implants to provide a beautiful and amazingly strong smile.
Experience the Difference of Mini Implant Dentures
Mini dental implants are less than 3 millimeters in size and consist of a single titanium post with the abutment already attached.
To place these implants, we use a minimally invasive technique that preserves the surrounding bone and gums. Instead of making an incision or using stitches, we create a small pilot hole through the gums and into the jawbone.
After carefully screwing the implant into place, it becomes instantly stable enough to support a temporary restoration! While mini dental implants aren’t always the solution, they offer amazing benefits for patients like you!
With mini implants, you only have to wait weeks, rather than months, for your final restoration. Because of their minimally invasive approach and fewer visits to the dentist, your jawbone will heal much faster!
Additionally, these implants are much less expensive than traditional implants because they have fewer parts, fewer appointments, and likely don’t need additional procedures like bone grafts!
Visit St. Apollonia Dental for Stable Implant Dentures in Sterling Heights, MI
Traditional dentures often leave patients wanting more stability. Fortunately, we provide stability to your smile with implant dentures using conventional and mini dental implants! Conventional dental implants have a large diameter, multiple components, and offer incredible stability. In contrast, mini dental implants have a small diameter, one component, and a minimally invasive procedure!
Book a free consultation today to determine which implant is right for you to secure your smile!
