Dental implants are an excellent form of dental restoration for patients with several missing teeth. However, replacing each tooth with an implant can be a costly procedure. Therefore, a much more affordable yet equally effective solution is denture implants. These are also known as “implant-supported” dentures, and they are permanent. At this point, you may be wondering, “how do denture implants work?” This article will explain that in detail while also providing you with information on the advantages and disadvantages of denture implants.
What Are Denture Implants?
Before we can begin to explain how they work, you must know what denture implants are. Denture implants (or snap-in dentures) are like conventional dentures (i.e., removable dentures). Therefore, they also replace a complete set of missing teeth so that you can eat food with ease.
The significant difference between denture implants and conventional dentures is that the former is a fixed solution. Thus, you won’t have to remove it to maintain it properly. Traditional dentures are often removed before going to bed and worn the following day again. A dentist can only remove denture implants. Therefore, because of this difference between the two types of tooth replacement options, the care processes are different.
Another essential difference between these two denture options is that conventional dentures can slip out because they are not securely installed via implants. The implants on the snap-in dentures prevent that from happening.
How Do Denture Implants Work?
Denture implants are fixed via an attachment to titanium posts. These posts, in turn, are implanted into your jawbone through a surgical process. Every titanium post is known as an implant. Thus, every one of these implants fuses with the bone structure surrounding it. As a result, it forms teeth restoration that’s secure.
The titanium posts are like implants for crowns. However, the difference is that the implants for dentures have clips that attach to the denture. These implants are used for lower and upper dentures.
Denture Implants Have 2 Types of Stabilization Systems
If you want to know how denture implants work, you must understand that they have two types of stabilization systems. These stabilization systems include ball-retained and bar-retained stabilization.
In both cases, the denture implant will have an acrylic construction with the same color as your gums. This part is the base of the denture, and over it, there are false teeth made of acrylic or porcelain. Moreover, regardless of what stabilization system is used, the denture will require at least two tooth implants to be appropriately stable.
In the ball-retained stabilization system, there are fasteners on the denture for every titanium post that hold attachments, which are sometimes known as stud attachments. On the other hand, bar-retained stabilization systems have metal bars anchored to 2 to 5 implants. The bar on this system holds necessary connectors, which fasten to the denture.
Advantages of Denture Implants
Now that you know how these implants work, it’s best to understand their advantages if you plan to get one for yourself or a loved one. Whatever reason you may need denture implants, be it old age, an accident, or other oral health problems, denture implants can help restore your teeth and bring them to full functionality. You must understand that denture implants are designed to provide excellent usability—it’s not simply an aesthetic feature. With that said, here’s an overview of the advantages of denture implants.
Better Stability Than Removable (Conventional) Dentures
What’s excellent about denture implants is that they offer much better stability than removable (conventional) dentures thanks to the ball-retained and bar-retained stabilization systems. Traditional dentures tend to move around when you’re chewing your food, making it uncomfortable to eat certain foods over time. This way, you may have to make compromises on your diet, preventing you from living your life to the fullest.
On the other hand, denture implants offer a more natural feeling of chewing your food. This is because the denture implants are fixed to your jaw bone, making them feel like your own teeth instead of false teeth. Therefore, you can eat stickier and harder foods without worrying about your dentures getting
In addition to making it easier to chew food, denture implants’ stability allows you to speak confidently. Conventional dentures tend to get loose when you’re talking, which can be frustrating or embarrassing, depending on your situation.
Denture Implants Are More Comfortable Than Conventional Dentures
Another reason why snap-in dentures are worth the investment is that they are more comfortable than conventional dentures. Denture implants reduce the friction on the gums, which minimizes pain. However, traditional dentures can move out of place when eating or speaking, and the additional friction can become painful over time.
Denture Implants Keep Your Bone Healthy
One of the most significant advantages of denture implants is that they keep your bone healthy. Your denture implants will replace some tooth roots. As a result, it will preserve the bone by preventing it from getting damaged over time. In the case of conventional dentures, the bone surrounding the tooth roots begins to resorb, i.e., deteriorating over time. Therefore, you will ensure that you keep your oral health in better condition in the long term.
Denture Implants Are Easier to Maintain Than Conventional Dentures
You will be glad to know that denture implants are easier to maintain than conventional dentures. This way, you can save time, money, and effort in keeping your investment in good condition. Make sure to speak to your dentist at length about proper maintenance and care practices. Maintaining your denture implants well will also help you keep your oral health in excellent condition, lowering the possibility of further issues to your teeth or gums.
Denture Implants Are Durable
By getting denture implants, you can ensure that you have fantastic-looking teeth for a long time. Denture implants are designed to last for a long time. Therefore, you will have a perfect set of teeth without needing to spend money on replacements frequently.
Denture Implants Are a More Affordable Option Than Individual Dental Implants
If you have lost a lot of your teeth, you must make sure that you have proper replacements that can allow you to eat still all the foods that you like. Therefore, after knowing how denture implants work, you must understand that a complete set of false teeth replace your lost and existing ones. Therefore, because it’s all one set, the cost is much lower than getting separate dental implants for the teeth that you’ve lost. If there are only a few missing teeth, then dental implants are a more affordable and viable option. However, when there are many missing teeth, denture implants are the better choice.
Denture Implants Are More Aesthetic Option than Conventional Dentures
While functionality is integral with denture implants, you must not ignore the aesthetic advantage they provide. As discussed, conventional dentures allow the bone to deteriorate over time. As a result, your jawbone will recess. Therefore, you will have a collapsed smile, affecting your overall appearance in the process. On the other hand, denture implants keep the bone intact and healthy, allowing your smile to look fantastic at all times. Therefore, snap-in dentures provide a more natural-looking appearance.
Disadvantages of Getting Denture Implants
While there are several advantages of denture implants, it’s vital to understand some of the disadvantages of getting them. Take a look.
Denture Implants May Cost More Than Conventional Dentures
There’s a good chance that denture implants may cost more than conventional dentures. This is because the fixture needs to be surgically installed into your mouth. In addition to that, your insurance policy may also not cover denture implants. Thus, it would be best if you spoke to your insurer before you make any decision.
Denture Implants Require Surgery
While conventional dentures are fit into your mouth, denture implants have to be surgically installed. The risk of complication for this type of surgery is relatively low, but it’s something to consider nonetheless. The procedure will be conducted in an outpatient setting and will require a local anesthetic at the very least.
Denture Implants Need to Be Well- Maintained to Work Well
There’s no doubt that denture implants are durable and relatively easy to maintain. However, proper maintenance is necessary nevertheless. Sometime after installation, the denture implants will begin to show some signs of wear.
Before breaking down completely, some of the attachments may get loose. As a result that, you feel discomfort when chewing food. Therefore, in that case, you should visit your dentist promptly so that they can tighten the loose components. This way, you can extend your snap-in dentures’ lifespan and make the most of your investment.
Patients with Gum or Tooth Decay May Need a Bone Graft
If you have significant gum or tooth decay, you may need a bone graft. The bone graft will support the implants and ensure the denture implant is comfortable and fully functional. That said, the bone graft may increase the cost of the procedure. Moreover, the healing period in such cases will be more extended than patients with little to no gum or tooth decay.
How to Take Care of Denture Implants
If you plan to get denture implants, you should know how to care for them. Keeping your snap-in dentures in good condition will help them last longer, which, in turn, will reduce spending more money on replacements and visits to the dentist. Moreover, proper care will also keep your oral hygiene in excellent condition, preventing any other oral health problems from emerging. With that said, here’s how to take care of denture implants.
Brush Your Denture Implants with a Soft-Bristled Toothbrush
Like brushing your regular teeth, you will have to brush your denture implants thoroughly twice a day. It’s best to use a soft-bristled brush for this process to minimize any damage to the snap-in dentures in the long term.
Make sure to brush your false teeth from the inside and outside. This way, you will remove any food particles present between the teeth. Leaving food particles behind can cause bacteria to grow, which can cause other oral health problems after some time. In addition to brushing the false teeth, you should do the same with the denture implants’ gums (or base).
It’s also in your best interest to floss at least once a day to remove anything stuck between your teeth. Moreover, you must understand that your denture implants will cover some parts of your mouth. Therefore, you must also clean those parts properly over time. In that case, gargling your mouth with a mouthwash recommended by your dentist can help prevent bacteria’s growth and keep you safe in the process.
Last Few Words on How Denture Implants Work
It’s crucial to know how denture implants work if you want to see if you qualify for them or not. Denture implants are an excellent solution for various patients, but you should only get them if you are missing most of your teeth. The absence of most of your teeth could be due to periodontal disease, dental cavities, or injury. If you’re getting it during old age, denture implants are a good option for those patients that want to deal with the disadvantages of getting conventional, removable dentures.
As great as denture implants are, you must be aware that they can be a costly procedure. Therefore, you may only want to consider it if you have insurance coverage for the procedure. In addition to the cost, denture implants can take some time to install. Therefore, there will be a period in which you may not be able to eat food properly or look your best. That said, denture implants are still an excellent solution for those who want to smile, talk, and chew with confidence.
If you have questions about this or other dental issues contact the Soft Touch office and we’ll be happy to help!
