Wearers of partial or full dentures may come to find some inherent challenges associated with the devices. Prone to moving out of position when talking or chewing, dentures typically rely on messy adhesives to secure them in place, can restrict the wearer’s ability to eat certain foods, and requires modifications to the daily cleaning routine to properly maintain the devices. Because they are crafted to rest on the gums and a ridge of bone, the bone experiences continuous degradation over time that will result in less structure for the device to hold on to.
By utilizing dental implants to retain a denture, many of these drawbacks can be avoided. Through the combination of dental implants and dentures, the patient is provided with a device that fits better, is more functional, and is more comfortable. And because dental structures are better preserved and cosmetic appearances improved, self-confidence is also boosted. Read on to learn more about how dentures and dental implants can be used in conjunction to replace missing teeth.
How Do Dental Implants and Dentures Work Together?
Historically, dentures have been one of the primary restoration choices for people that need to replace multiple teeth or an entire set of lower or upper teeth. Crafted in a laboratory based on impressions taken of the patient’s teeth, dentures come in two main varieties: partial dentures and full dentures.
An alternative to dental bridges, partial dentures are removable and rely on a framework that attaches to the wearer’s adjacent teeth. Full dentures are composed of an upper base, which fits over the palate (roof of the mouth), and a lower base that has a cutout to accommodate the tongue.
As mentioned, dentures are designed to rest on the wearer’s gums and therefore, lack any direct interaction with the jawbone. Alternatively, dental implants are surgically placed in the patient’s jawbone for support. After placing an implant, the surrounding gum tissue and jawbone fuse together to create a stable, permanent restoration. Crowns can then be mounted onto the implants to replace one, several, or all of a patient’s teeth or the implants can be used to retain dentures.
Implant-supported dentures are suitable for upper jaw restorations but for lower jaw restorations, implant-retained dentures are typically used since traditional dentures lack stability. Given the lower amount of bone in the back of the mouth, dental implants are typically placed in the front of the jaw.
Combining dentures with dental implant offers several advantages over traditional dentures, including:
* Simplicity and Stability: To hold them securely in position, at least two implants are necessary to support removable dentures. This will provide the stability characteristics of permanent implants while maintaining the simplicity of a conventional denture. Since the overdenture is securely attached to implants, the wearer can speak and eat without having to worry about the device moving out of place or falling out.
* Avoids Issues Associated with Conventional Dentures: As discussed, conventional dentures, especially in the lower jaw, have a tendency to shift out of place which can create embarrassing situations. To overcome this issue, dental adhesives are often used to provide additional support necessary to hold them in place. Since they simply rest on the gums, conventional dentures may still shift out of place or come loose regardless of any dental adhesives. So while an adhesive can be helpful, it will not be able to overcome poorly fitting dentures. According to the US Food and Drug Administration, if a denture is fitted properly and cared for, additional adhesives should not be needed. By combining dental implants and dentures, the need for adhesives is removed because the overdentures attach to metal supports embedded in the jaw.
* Improved Appearance and Functionality: When teeth are lost, the surrounding jawbone will start to be resorbed by the body since it is not longer needed to hold teeth. When this occurs, the structures of the face change which impacts appearances and function. This issue cannot be avoided with conventional dentures but when dental implants are used to retain dentures, the integrity of the jaw structure is better preserved.
* Permanent Restoration: Given that dental implants fuse together with the patient’s jawbone, implant dentures are permanent restorations for lost teeth. Because of this, they do not require replacement over time the way that dental bridges and conventional dentures do.
* Improved Speech: Difficulties with speaking often results when traditional dentures shift out of place in the wearer’s mouth. Since overdentures are held in place more securely, they do not run the risk of shifting which allows the patient’s speech to be positively affected.
* Affordable: It can be prohibitive from a cost perspective to use individual dental implants to replace every lost tooth. Alternatively, using implant-retained dentures can offer a restoration option that is typically more affordable.
Bone Loss with Conventional Dentures
Over time, the bone structures in the mouth begin to shrink when conventional dentures are used which can lead to the devices becoming loose. This occurs because there are no root structures with conventional dentures and they are unable to direct bite function properly. In time, bone recession develops similar to that which would occur if there were no teeth in the mouth.
Wearing poorly fitting dentures over a prolonged period can exacerbate jawbone loss and conventional dentures will require periodic adjustments or replacement. In comparison, dental implants help stimulate the growth of bone and can withstand the same bite pressure that natural teeth experience.
Dental implants are frequently crafted out of titanium because of the superior biocompatibility properties the material offers that allows it to fuse with the jawbone. Called osseointegration, the fusion process results in a single, stable, durable unit that stimulates bone growth. Should this fusion between the jawbone and implant fail or be incomplete, progressive jawbone loss could occur.
By combining dental implants and dentures, and thereby avoiding bone loss, facial appearances will be improved compared to conventional dentures and overall health improved. Facial sagging that is commonly associated with conventional dentures is prevented and the facial structures, and appearance, are better preserved. And since implant dentures have superior function compared to conventional dentures, patients do not have dietary restrictions which allows them to enjoy the foods they enjoy and promote good nutrition.