Denture Implants - Healthy Looking Smile
July 20th, 2009
Implant supported dentures, in comparison with regular dentures, are attached to medically pure titanium devices that are implanted into the jawbone. Their specific structure makes them more stable and efficient, as a result. Implant dentures serve a good help for people who lost all their teeth or most of them. The treatment procedure takes about five months and the results may last for the next seven years and more.
Regular dentures rest on the gums. They make you feel pain, the first period of time, and easily allow food rests to get underneath. That’s why they need to be cleaned every day, sometimes more often. As for dental implants dentures, no frequent cleanings are needed and no strong, unpleasant feelings are present.
The main principle used for denture implants is to make them fixed to the jawbone. A titanium “screw” is used for these purposes. Two or three of them are placed into holes drilled into the bone. Then the implant denture is attached to them. The fixing mechanisms vary. Nowadays you can find ball-retained and bar-retained dentures.
In the ball-retained dentures case each implant in the jawbone holds a metal attachment that fits into another attachment on the denture. Usually the implant’s attachments are ball-shaped, also called “male” attachments, while the denture attachments are socket-shaped, and also named “female” attachments. These two types can also be reversed.
Bar-retained implant dentures are made of a thin metal bar that allows the denture fit over it and be securely clipped into the right place by special attachments. This bar follows the curve of your jaw and is usually attached to two to five implants that have been placed in your jawbone.
People with no teeth in their mouth but with enough bone in the jaw, to support implants, are perfect candidates for implant supported dentures. Even those who have several teeth left or have most of them but in a very bad condition may decide to change their mouth composition.
Dental implants dentures usually are made for the lower jaw because a more stable structure is needed there. The upper jaw keeps fixed the regular denture quite well. However, you can always have both of your jaws implanted with an extra pair of dental implants. The point is that it’s not always necessary.
The dental implants usually are placed at the front part of the jawbone because there is more bone than in the back side. The same happens even if in the front part of the jawbone teeth have been missing for a long period of time. It is well known that after the tooth is lost you begin to lose bone in that area. Besides, there are less nerves or other structures that usually interfere with the implants’ placement procedure.
The whole treatment process takes about five months when fixing the lower jaw and seven months for the upper jaw. Sometimes it can last up to a year or more. Everything depends on the initial state of your teeth, the chosen method of treatment, as well as on the preliminary needed procedures.
Implant supported dentures treatment request two surgeries. The first one is done to place the dental implants in the jawbone, the second one to expose the tops of the implant. You can also find a one-stage procedure, when the dentist places the implants and the supporting bar, or the balls in one step. This way the failure chances grows bigger.
Dental implants dentures are easily removed. Even if people can chose permanent crown and bridgework in their mouths, that can’t be removed, most of them choose flexibility in actions. Your dentist can consult you over this question, making conclusions based on your particular needs and particularities. However, the last decision is yours.
Implant dentures are made of an acrylic base that will look like natural gums. Porcelain or acrylic teeth will look like natural teeth. Besides this, denture implants will allow you enjoy foods you have avoided for years. You’ll be able to eat raw carrots, corn on the cob and apples.
The final result is amazing. Implant supported dentures is the best solution for those who need an absolutely new mouth composition. They are functional, stable and natural looking like. And only after a half a year treatment you can forget for seven years ahead about your past, teeth problems.
Categories: Jaw and Bones, Teeth
Leave a Reply