Generally, people who have struggled with problems with their teeth assume that once they have their unhealthy teeth pulled and replaced with dentures, their problems with their mouth will go away. Unfortunately, that is all too often not the case. Dentures can result in gagging and sore spots along with an inability to be able to bite down and chew. And a full upper denture, which covers the taste buds on the roof of the mouth, makes it difficult to enjoy the taste of food. Along with discomfort and sometimes embarrassing slippage and noises that can be a part of wearing dentures, health issues also result as the jawbone shrinks because it no longer has the roots of the teeth to keep it stimulated and growing.

In the past, the process of aging, along with the medications that older people sometimes need to help maintain their health, many times resulted in the loss of their teeth and the necessity for dentures. In fact, in 2004, statistics related that 20.5% of adults in the U.S. who were 65 or older had lost their natural teeth. When that happened, dentures were the only solution. However, that is no longer the case. My name is Dr. Smith, and as a periodontal specialist, I am often able to use dental implant supported dentures for people who either need to have their remaining teeth pulled or who already have dentures.

An important factor in determining whether a denture can be replaced with one supported by dental implants or whether a dental implant denture can be used for first-time denture wearers is whether or not you have healthy gums and adequate bone support for the implants. If not, we can oftentimes restore your gums to health and use bone grafts to create the support needed for a dental implant. As long as a patient is in relatively good health, age is not a determining factor as to whether or not dental implants are a good option.

Dentures must be replaced every so many years because of the continued shrinking of the jawbone. But that is not the case with dental implants because they have replaced the tooth root, which causes vibrations in the bone upon chewing, which keeps the bone growing. Therefore, implant supported dentures don't have to be replaced because the gum and jaw bone are kept healthy by the interaction of the implant with the bone structure.

Implants are made of titanium and are inserted into the mandibular bone in your jaw then removable dentures are created to connect to these implants with a snap fastener, which allows you to remove your teeth for cleaning, but provides secure, stable teeth for eating and chewing. Because the implants go into your jaw bone, they prevent continued loss of both bone and gum tissue.

An implant supported denture provides a comfortable fit, no slipping or embarrassing noises, and the upper portion of your mouth is not covered, which allows the taste buds located there to help you thoroughly taste and enjoy your food.

By assessing your overall health and the condition of your gum tissue and bone structure, I will be able to tell you if we can convert your dentures into implanted-supported dentures and what rebuilding may be necessary for your gums and jaw bone.

About the Author:

Dr. Karl Smith has been in dental practice for over twenty-seven years. His specialties are periodontics, dental anesthesia and implants. People come from near and far to experience the comfort and professionalism of his office and patient-oriented staff. http://www.drkarlsmith.com