Losing your teeth does more than just impact the beauty of your smile. Tooth loss affects your oral health, your overall health, and your quality of life. Moreover, the more teeth you lose, the greater the effects. Eating becomes more challenging. Unable to properly chew your food, your body cannot absorb the nutrients, leading to malnutrition. Speaking properly becomes more difficult. Even the health of your jaw is compromised. Your teeth are essential for stimulating the jaw, which tells the body to send nutrients to keep the bone healthy and strong.

The more teeth you lose, the weaker the stimulation and the fewer nutrients are sent. Your jawbone begins to resorb and change shape. Dental implants, a recent addition to tooth replacement options, help to restore the functions of your mouth and keep your jaw healthy. At Edelweiss Dental Implant Center, we offer several types of dental implants, including implant supported dentures.

Dentures are the Traditional Missing Tooth Replacement

For decades, tooth loss has been addressed with dentures. A full denture is a removable prosthetic device that consists of acrylic resin teeth set into a gum-colored, acrylic base. The prosthesis is made from a mold of your mouth and supported by your gums. While dentures have come a long way over the years, they do require a fair bit of maintenance. They need to be removed for cleaning every night and left out to give your gum tissue a break. Moreover, while dentures replace many of the functions of your natural teeth, they cannot stop the bone loss that occurs when you lose your teeth. Because dentures do not change with your jawbone, the prosthesis needs to be changed every so often. Wearing ill-fitting dentures can lead to denture sores and serious pain.

Implant-Supported Dentures are Superior

Dental implants are a relatively new addition to the options for replacing missing teeth. They can be used to replace any number of missing teeth, including an entire arch. Known as an implant supported a denture, your replacement teeth are supported on 6 to 8 total implants. The implants, which are made from titanium, are surgically inserted into your jawbone. It can take several months to heal from this procedure, but during this time, your jawbone fuses to the implants. Successful fusion turns the implants into stable “roots” that support your replacement teeth.

Types of Implant-Supported Dentures

    • Fixed

Your teeth are screwed into place on 6 to 8 implants. They are not removed unless maintenance is needed, and that is done in the office.

    • Bar-Retained

Similar to fixed implant supported dentures, 6 to 8 implants are placed. A bar connects the implants. Your teeth snap, or clip, into place, and can be removed by you.

    • All-on-4

The All-on-4® Treatment Concept is used when you have experienced bone loss and cannot support the necessary 6 to 8 implants. Instead, four implants are placed strategically to take advantage of the bone mass you do have available, avoiding the need for a bone graft.

What are the Benefits of Implant-Supported Dentures?

  • They provide a permanent solution to tooth loss.
  • They are more comfortable than traditional dentures.
  • They are easier to care for (they can be brushed just like your natural teeth).
  • The functions of your mouth are restored.
  • The strength of your jawbone in maintained.