Traditional dentures are made to fit perfectly in the contours of your mouth. Using impressions of your smile, dental labs create gum-like bases that fit snug against your gums and jaw, securing your artificial smile in place. However, this fit isn’t made to last. Over time, your dentures will loosen in your mouth. Loose dentures cause a variety of unfortunate consequences, such as difficulty eating or speaking. Eventually, loose dentures can even lower your overall quality of life! So, what is the best fix for loose dentures? At Sonora Dentist, Dr. Berger recommends using dental implants to secure your prosthetic in place. These titanium screws anchor your denture to your jaw, providing a stable bite that is meant to last.
Why Do Dentures Loosen?
While dentures originally fit your smile, they lose their stability over time. This change isn’t necessarily a result of your denture losing its shape, but more a consequence of your jawbone shrinking.
Natural teeth have roots underneath your gums that keep them in place. When you bite or chew, these roots press down on your jawbone, effectively stimulating the bone. This stimulation is vital for jaw health, and without it, your bone will begin to lose mass and volume.
Without intervention, jawbone loss will continue over time.
As your jawbone shrinks and your denture maintains its original shape, the prosthetic will no longer fit in your mouth. Loose or floating dentures create a variety of problems, including:
- Difficulties speaking clearly
- Gum irritation
- Challenges chewing
- An increased risk of infection
Only by replacing missing tooth roots can you stop bone loss in its tracks and secure your denture in place.
Fortunately, dental implants do just that!
What Is the Best Fix for Loose Dentures?
Traditional dentures lack the security that your natural smile provides. But with dental implants, you can replace tooth roots and anchor your denture, stabilizing your smile!
Dr. Berger uses mini dental implants in his office. These small titanium posts secure in your jaw like traditional implants, but with less of the hassle.
Rather than using an invasive surgical process to place these implants in your jaw, Dr. Berger simply makes a small pilot hole in your bone and places the mini implant inside. Once in your bone, mini implants immediately begin stabilizing. Often, in the same appointment we place your implants, we place a temporary restoration on top to restore your smile.
Can My Denture Be Converted Into an Implant Denture?
Some patients wonder if it’s possible to keep their current denture and just add implants. The good news is: yes, it’s absolutely possible! However, the bad news is: it’s not always a viable option.
If your denture is thick enough for Dr. Berger to add housings (where the implants secure) inside the base, then your prosthetic should be able to work as an implant denture.
Unfortunately, some dentures are too old, worn, or thin to support housings. In that case, Dr. Berger may need to craft a new denture rather than using your current prosthetic. That way, he can provide you with a denture that fits perfectly in your mouth and is sure to last for years to come.
What Is the Best Fix for Loose Dentures? Find Out at Sonora Dentist!
Traditional dentures fit securely in your mouth, but only for a limited time. If your dentures no longer fit, you may need a more secure solution! Using mini dental implants, Dr. Berger in Sonora, CA, can secure your smile in place. In some cases, he may even be able to transform your current denture into an implant denture!
Book a free consultation today to learn what Dr. Berger can do to secure your loose dentures in place.
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