Removable complete dentures can be a great way to replace missing teeth, and Dr. Root has provided beautiful, natural-looking, and comfortable dentures to many patients who are extremely happy with their choice. However, sometimes additional restoration is necessary due to lack of bone in the patient’s mouth. Implant overdentures, also called implant-supported dentures, can often alleviate problems that some people experience with this lack of bone, which causes loose dentures. Dr. Root wants to make sure his patients are completely informed about the treatment options, and comfortable enough to choose for his or herself.
Implant overdentures are complete dentures that are supported and held in place by dental implants with secure snap attachments. Such implant-supported dentures are normally anchored to two to four implants. Dental implants are titanium cylinders that are surgically placed in the jawbone. As they heal, the body draws more bone building materials to the implants and secure them in new bone so that they become incorporated in the jaw. The implants are placed by a surgeon, and after integration the implant supported dentures are fabricated by Dr. Root. This option provides a stable and reliable way to firmly hold a denture in a patient’s mouth.
Upper removable complete dentures cover the palate and are held in place by suction. Some people find that removable complete dentures can affect their speech or may be loose due to minimal bone in the patient’s mouth.
Lower dentures are held in place by the cheeks and tongue, as well as at the edentulous ridge of the lower jaw. It can take some time to train these muscles to keep the dentures from moving. Some people experience slips, and even find that a denture can fall out at embarrassing moments. Implant supported dentures can solve these problems for either upper or lower dentures. It’s relatively simple and it works! For further information on implant supported dentures, watch our video here on the website, or call Root Dental for a consultation with Dr. Root.
Implant overdentures help to prevent bone loss. When a tooth is lost, the body responds by beginning to absorb the minerals in the jawbone where the tooth once was, and this may create a defect or crater in the edentulous site. When many teeth are missing, this process of bone loss can lead to a condition called facial collapse in as little as ten to twenty years.
Facial collapse gives the face a shrunken appearance, which can make those affected look much older. More importantly, when there is not enough bone left to support a denture, chewing efficiency is so undermined that people are relegated to eating only soft foods. Dental implants prevent this process because they replace the tooth root, which prevents the jaw from breaking down.
If you would like to find out if implant overdentures would work for you, please call Root Dental to Request an Appointment online. We will be happy to schedule you for a visit to address these issues.
3755 20th Pl, Vero Beach, FL 32960
