Problematic Dentures? Have You Considered Dental Implants?
Our Burton dentist discusses modern options for replacing missing teeth.
Whilst some wearers are quite happy with their dentures; and modern versions are certainly an improvement over older style ones; for others they can prove to be quite uncomfortable and even unstable in some cases.
Sore gums, and dentures that move around in the mouth, making eating awkward at times, are the bane of many denture wearers’ lives. It doesn’t have to be this way though, and many patients are now changing to dental implants in Burton as an alternative.
Advantages
As the placing of dental implants inevitably involves quite an invasive procedure and some patience initially, it is not unreasonable for patients to expect some significant advantages before committing to the procedure. In fact, dental implants offer a number of distinct benefits over dentures, and some of the main ones are listed below.
Natural look and feel
Once a dental implant has been placed, allowed to fuse with the bone (a process known as osseointegration) and a dental crown added, the replacement tooth looks entirely natural. The crowns are created in a shade to match your natural teeth and ensure it blends in well with them.
Whilst this is good news from an aesthetic viewpoint, the main benefit comes from the fact that a replacement tooth in the form of a dental implant also feels just like a natural tooth and can be treated like one too. Your dental implant will be extremely strong and, unlike with some dentures, you should feel confident when eating, not worrying about your choice of food. Even sticky foods like toffees should be no problem for a healthy dental implant.
Cleaning
Dentures have to be removed from the mouth to be thoroughly cleaned, including soaking for a period of time. This can be very inconvenient. Dental implants, on the other hand, are cleaned in exactly the same manner as you (should) clean your natural teeth. It is worth mentioning here that it is important that you keep your gums clean around the area of the implant. One of the biggest threats to this otherwise highly successful procedure is when gum disease attacks the bone which holds it in place, compromising its security.
Longevity
Although some patients are concerned about having this procedure, the reality is that, once placed and the osseointegration period completed, your dental implant can last for twenty years or more, with no additional extra care. Naturally, we will monitor the health of your dental implant when you visit Mike Allen’s Dental surgery in Burton for your regular six monthly checks and where any early signs of problems are detected, these can be treated more easily than if left for longer periods of time.
If you are unhappy with your dentures, or have a gap in your teeth, and would like to find out more about dental implants, please arrange an appointment to see our Burton implant dentist by calling us on 01283 845345 today.