How to Know When It’s Time to Upgrade Your Dentures with Dental Implants

When you first got your dentures, you were happier than you’d been in ages. At long last, you could chew your favorite crunchy foods again. No longer did you have to smile with your mouth closed to avoid being judged due to your missing teeth. A few years have passed since then, and your dentures are starting to not fit quite as snugly as they initially did. What should you do about it? In many cases, your best option is to upgrade your dentures with dental implants in Brooklyn. This can increase their stability and longevity by leaps and bounds. Keep reading to learn about all the benefits of implant-retained dentures.

Signs That You Should Update Your Dentures

After tooth loss, the roots of your teeth are no longer there to stimulate your jawbone through biting and chewing. As a result, the bone begins to atrophy. Because of this natural process, even dentures that once fit perfectly start to feel uncomfortable after a year or two. You may experience problems like:

• Dentures slipping when you’re trying to eat or talk
• Dentures falling out entirely
• Sore spots on the gums

To remedy this, you could see a dentist for a denture adjustment called a reline. But even after a reline, your dentures will most likely lose their fit again after another couple of years. The best way to prevent this is by securing your dentures onto dental implants.

How Implant-Retained Dentures Work

While dental implants are often used to replace a single missing tooth, they can restore your smile even after full tooth loss. Rather than installing one of these titanium posts for every tooth, your dentist in Brooklyn can place just four to six implants at certain locations and angles throughout your jaw. Receiving dental implants requires a minor oral surgery, but this method offers a multitude of advantages over traditional dentures.

Benefits of Combining Dentures with Dental Implants

Here are just a few of the benefits of implant-retained dentures:

• Improved stability. The implants are firmly rooted in the jaw, creating a strong foundation that prevents slippage.
• Greater chewing power. Restorations supported by dental implants are powerful enough to stand up to practically any food.
• Longevity. Because they fully fuse to the jawbone, implants have the potential to last for years, even decades.
• Prevention of bone loss. Dental implants stimulate your jawbone exactly like your lost tooth roots. This prevents the bone from shrinking and keeps you looking young and vibrant.

If your dentures have been giving you grief lately, it may be time to upgrade them with dental implants. Ask your dentist if you’d be a good candidate for implant-retained dentures.

About the Author

Dr. Neil Finn is the in-house periodontist at Ralph Avenue Dental Care in Brooklyn, NY. In addition to his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree, he has completed a residency in Periodontics and Implant Dentistry, both at New York University. Due to his advanced training, he has the expertise necessary to place dental implants. If you think you could benefit from securing your dentures with implants, you can contact Dr. Finn’s office at (718) 531-0300.