Dentures to Implant Bridge
Encinitas, CA
Have you been living with dentures for a while? If you have, you are probably so grateful to have them, because they allow you to smile and eat without too much trouble. While dentures are great, they are not perfect. You may not be happy with the limitations with dentures. If you want something else rather than dentures, you may want to think about implants. Implants are a better option than dentures for many of our patients. If you want more information about dentures to implant bridge, keep reading. Encinitas Periodontics & Dental Implants has information for you about transitioning from dentures to implants.
Difference Between Dentures and Implants
Here are four important advantages of dental implants, compared to alternatives such as dentures and bridges:
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You’ll look and feel great. Dental implants feel, look, fit and function like healthy, natural teeth. They’re so comfortable you don’t have to think about them. You brush and floss them just like you do your natural teeth - no need to remove them for cleaning. They also help you retain your natural face shape and smile.
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They’re built to last. Dental implants that are properly cared for can last many decades. Many other options, including certain types of dental bridges and dentures, may need to be replaced as often as every 5 to 10 years, requiring a more significant investment of time and money.
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You can live life with confidence. Your dental implants will be secure, so they won't slip or click when you talk, eat or laugh. You'll also find that your speech is more natural. With dental implants, you'll have the peace of mind to eat what you love, say what you want to say, be as active as you want and smile broadly.
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They protect facial bone and healthy teeth. Leaving empty spaces in your mouth after losing one or more teeth can lead to health issues such as jawbone deterioration. Dental implants are the only tooth replacement option that actually helps stimulate bone growth and prevent bone loss. Getting dental implants as soon as possible after losing a tooth helps prevent bone loss at the site. Also, dental implants don't require grinding down adjacent teeth to anchor bridges or attach partial dentures. |
Implants are different from dentures. Dentures are far older than implants and have been used to replace natural teeth for centuries. Dentures work really well when someone is missing a lot of their teeth on their top or bottom jaws. We make dentures from plastic or acrylic and porcelain. We make dentures to fit each patient and their mouths. While implants are also a prosthetic device, they differ from dentures.
Dentures are placed on top of your gums with adhesive. This adhesive molds the dentures to your gumline so you can speak, eat and smile. Implants on the other hand are held in place by anchors that are basically screwed into your jaw. Rather than using an adhesive, the implants are held in place both day and night by the permanent screws. You don’t have to take them out each evening like you do with dentures. For some patients, implants are a great alternative to dentures.
The Problem With Dentures
We don’t want you to get the idea that we don’t love dentures. We do, because they give many of our patients freedom, especially when their dental health was crippled by tooth decay or gum disease. However much we love dentures, they are not for everyone. Some people can’t wear dentures, because they rub their gums, and cause sores. We have other patients who can’t get their dentures to fit properly. They slip and cause some of our patients to feel self-conscious. Patients also don’t want to wear the same dental devices that their grandparents wore, because it makes them feel old. They want an alternative instead of dentures.
Are you missing teeth? You may need to think about a dental implant bridge rather than dentures. Our patients want to use implants, because they are permanent, and they feel that they look better than dentures. We like implants because they are better for your jaws over time. When you lose your teeth, your jaw seems to think that you need the bone in your jaw somewhere else, so it will remove the bone. Implants trick your jaw into thinking that you still have your natural teeth, which keeps your jawbone strong.
If you are thinking about getting dental implants, give Encinitas Periodontics & Dental Implants a call at 760-632-9055. We would be glad to talk to you about getting implants versus dentures. |
