IMPLANT-RETAINED DENTURES IN ARNOLD, MO
REPLACING MISSING TEETH WITH IMPLANT-RETAINED DENTURES
Missing teeth should be replaced to maintain your oral health. When a tooth is lost, it affects your bite and your ability to speak and chew. Tooth loss increases the stress on the remaining teeth, leads to muscle pain in the jaws, causes headaches, and affects your appearance.
Meramec Family Dentistry offers implant-retained dentures in Arnold, MO as an option to replace missing teeth. Review the following information about tooth replacement with implant-retained dentures.
For most patients, wearing an upper denture is easy and does not cause problems. However, others find it difficult to eat with and wear a lower denture. There are several implant-supported dentures available for patients who are missing all of their lower teeth.
REPLACEMENT OPTIONS FOR LOWER TEETH IN ARNOLD, MO
BALL ATTACHMENT DENTURE
A ball attachment denture snaps onto two dental implants in the lower jaw. With this option, the lower denture is more stable than a traditional denture without implants while chewing. However, movement still occurs. Sore spots are still possible if food particles or seeds get caught under the denture. You will need routine appointments for denture maintenance and adjustment.
1. Before
2. Implants Placed
3. Denture Attached
BAR ATTACHMENT DENTURE
A bar attachment denture uses four to six implants depending on the size and shape of your jaw. Once the jaw has healed, the implants are connected with a custom support bar. Your denture will attach firmly to the support bar with special internal retention clips. This is called an “overdenture.”
This denture is much more stable than the first option and allows very little denture movement. The device is removable for easy cleaning and maintenance.
1. Before
2. Implants Placed
3. Denture Attached
SCREW RETAINED DENTURE
A screw retained denture involves attaching a permanent denture to five or more dental implants. Screws or clasp secure the denture to the support posts or bar. The denture does not touch the gum tissue so you can clean under it without removing it.
A screw retained denture replaces all your missing lower teeth. It is only removed at your maintenance denture exams. Cleaning under this denture is more time consuming because the device is not removed. However, it is often preferred by patients who want a permanent denture option.
1. Before
2. Implants Placed
3. Denture Attached
REPLACEMENT OPTIONS FOR UPPER TEETH IN ARNOLD, MO
Replacing teeth on the upper jaw includes a similar set of treatment options. However, the upper jaw bone is not as hard as that in the lower jaw. As a result, more dental implants are often needed to support the replacement teeth.
Implant-Retained Upper Denture
In some cases, it may be possible to avoid covering the roof of the mouth with a complete denture. This allows you to fully taste your food and have a better sense of its temperature. When the roof of the mouth is not covered, the denture feels more natural. The denture is removable so general care and cleaning are much easier.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT IMPLANT-RETAINED DENTURES
- Improved confidence
- Stability while eating
- Bone and gum preservation
- Improved oral health
- Superior appearance
- Nutritional benefits
