Denture Stabilization
Rockwall & Paris, Texas
Whether tooth loss occurs due to an accident or as a natural consequence of aging, dentures are a common treatment option for missing teeth. Although there are many benefits to having dentures, such as a restored confidence by having a full smile again, there are also many drawbacks. Dentures are prone to slipping and moving around in a person’s mouth, require a great deal of maintenance, limit the types of foods you can eat, and can be uncomfortable to wear. Denture stabilization is an effective solution to these issues. To provide better stability to your denture, implants can be placed and your denture retrofitted with snap-on attachments to create greater stabilization and eliminates issues like slipping, moving around, or even falling out.
To learn more about denture stabilization or other services offered at our office, please refer to the following. To schedule an appointment for a consultation for denture stabilization, contact our Rockwall office today at (972) 771-8640 or our Paris office at (903) 785-4832.
Denture Stabilization
How Does it Work?
One of the biggest complaints people have about their dentures is that they do not provide adequate support and are prone to moving around and slipping. Patients who are missing teeth and frustrated with their dentures, and who have a sufficient amount of jawbone, may benefit from denture stabilization, which stabilizes the denture with dental implants, to which the denture can be attached, resulting in improved functionality and increased comfort. This stabilization virtually eliminates the denture moving around and slipping.
Although implants are the most effective, natural feeling, looking and functioning solution to a missing tooth or teeth, some patients’ teeth have been missing for too long and will have already lost too much bone to be able to provide the necessary support for a dental implant. In this case, a bone graft can be performed at the implant site to stimulate regeneration of enough new bone to support placement of the implant for denture stabilization.
Denture Stabilization
Bar and Ball-Retained Dentures
Denture stabilizations fall mainly into two categories: bar-retained dentures and ball-retained or stud-attachment dentures. Bar-retained dentures require a minimum of two and up to five implants placed in the jawbone, onto which a bar that is designed to fit the implants with the curve of your jawbone. Once this bar is in place, the dentures, implants or both can be clipped together.
Ball retained dentures have attachments on the implants that are made of metal that attaches to the denture. The denture attachments are typically shaped like sockets, and the implant attachments are typically shaped like a ball, although sometimes the shape is reversed. Either way, the two parts attach in the manner of the ball fitting into the socket.
Both denture types can be effective in providing improved denture stabilization. Which one is right for you will depend on your unique needs and specific treatment goals. During your initial examination, we will conduct a thorough evaluation, discuss treatment options, provide our opinion on which type of denture stabilization we feel is right for you, and answer any questions you may have.
Denture Stabiliation
Benefits of Treatment
Oftentimes patients with missing teeth avoid seeking treatment for missing teeth because they either worry they cannot afford the treatment or because they do not want to deal with the hassles associated with having dentures, such as slipping or irritating one’s gums. They may also be concerned with the time involved in having the procedure performed.
If you have been wondering whether or not you should seek treatment for your missing teeth, it may be helpful to consider the many benefits you will enjoy following the procedure. One of the more obvious benefits is the improved aesthetic appearance of your smile, but the more important benefit is the preservation of your oral health. When teeth are missing and left untreated for too long, the jawbone will begin to deteriorate, which can cause other oral health issues to develop.
While dentures can help avoid some of these issues, denture stabilization provides even more benefits, including the following:
- Improves your ability to chew foods, which results in better digestion
- Easier to clean and requires less maintenance
- Significantly more comfortable
- Decreases likelihood of gum infection and mouth sores
- Improves your ability to talk and will not move around or fall out like dentures
- Permanent solution, provided you follow good oral hygiene habits
Denture Stabiliation
Costs Associated
The cost of denture stabilization will largely depend on whether any additional procedures are being performed, whether dental sedation is used, and your dental insurance plan. It is also important to factor in the cost of the initial visit, including any x-rays that may need to be take, and any follow up appointments that may be necessary.
For patients who are covered under a dental insurance plan, although we are not in-network, we will gladly help prepare and file your claim to ensure you receive your maximum reimbursement. Payment is due in full on the day of treatment. We accept cash, check, Visa, Discover, Mastercard, and American Express. If you are concerned about the cost of receiving treatment, please know that we offer our patients Compassionate Finance, which offers a variety of payment solutions with fixed interest rates and manageable monthly payments and CareCredit®, which offers 24-monty payment plans with zero interest, as well as low-interest financing for 24-60 months.