Denture Stabilization
According to recent estimates, nearly 180 million adults in the United States are missing at least one of their natural teeth. The problem gets worse for older adults, with 30 percent of adults over 65 years old who have no natural teeth remaining.
Despite how common the condition is, no one should have to struggle with tooth loss. There are many dental treatments available for the replacement of missing teeth. A dental implant is the most durable and effective way to replace a single missing tooth. However, when a person needs to replace all or most of their teeth, replacement treatments can get very expensive quickly. Due to their ability to replace many missing teeth quickly and cost effectively, conventional dentures are the most popular treatment option for individuals who are missing all or most of their teeth. However, this affordable and quick treatment does come with some drawbacks. Fortunately, denture stabilization treatment is available to help older adults take advantage of the benefits of conventional dentures, while also avoiding many of the drawbacks. Below is more information about conventional dentures and how denture stabilization works.
What is Dental Stabilization?
One of the biggest drawbacks of conventional dentures is that the dentures are not securely attached in the mouth which can result in shifting and slipping. Overtime this shifting can lead to issues with speaking and eating and can cause discomfort. Denture adhesive can help hold dentures in place, but adhesive can also create a constant bad taste in the mouth. Denture stabilization, or implant-supported dentures, is a treatment option that was designed to solve the problem with dentures slipping and sliding. To stabilize the dentures, dental implants are securely placed in the jawbone to attach the dentures to, ensuring a secure fit in the mouth.
Benefits of Denture Stabilization
Despite their popularity, many patients who wear conventional dentures complain about not being able to eat everything, issues with speaking clearly, and issues with dental adhesives. Denture stabilization is a treatment approach that was designed to address many of these issues. Benefits of denture stabilization treatment include:
* Improved chewing function, leading to better digestion and nutritional benefits
* Improved comfort and reduced irritation, including fewer sore spots
* Easier cleaning and daily maintenance
* Improved ability to speak clearly
* Maintain the shape of the mouth and jaw
* Revitalize jawbone health
Why It is Important to Replace Missing Teeth
Due to financial barriers or time constraints, many adults do not seek out tooth replacement treatment. What many do not realize is that missing teeth can lead to other oral health issues. Missing teeth in the mouth can result in:
* Shrinking of the jaw and mouth
* Difficulty speaking and eating
* Premature aging: individuals look much older than they are when the mouth is smaller in size
* Lower self-esteem
* Tooth decay: if tooth loss is caused by tooth decay, the decay will continue to spread and impact other teeth and tissues
How Does Denture Stabilization Treatment Work?
For the denture stabilization treatment, dental implants are surgically inserted into the jawbone. Once the implants are healed, artificial dentures are attached on top of the implants. Unlike conventional dentures that sit on top of the gums, implant supported dentures are securely rooted or supported in the mouth. Patients interested in implant-supported dentures may not have teeth in the jaw, but they do have healthy jawbone to support the implant. Once the implants are surgically placed in the jaw and the dentures are attached on top, they will be firmly rooted in the mouth, and will not move or shift around like conventional dentures. There are several implant-supported denture designs for patients to choose from. Patients may prefer to have dentures that clip or snap in, or a more permanent solution where there is a fixed crown or bridge. Permanent stabilized dentures can’t be removed at all, while the snap or clip in dentures are designed to be removed daily.
The denture stabilization treatment occurs in three primary steps:
1. Implant placement surgery: First, the implants must be surgically inserted into the jawbone.
2. Healing period: Once the implants have been installed, the next step includes a several month healing period that is required for the bone to fuse to the implants.
3. Denture fitting: The last step is the fitting of the dentures to the implants. This step may require a few visits, as the dentist will want to ensure the right fit.
Types of Stabilized Dentures
There are two common removable denture stabilization designs: ball-retained and bar-retained dentures.
Ball-retained dentures, also sometimes called stud-attachment dentures, are an implant system that includes an implant with a metal attachment on the top where the denture clips in. Ball-retained dentures get their name from the ball shape of the implant attachment. The denture attachment is designed like a socket. To attach the dentures in place, the ball simply clips into the socket.
Bar-retained dentures require at least two to five implants in the jawbone. A metal bar is attached to all of these implants that curves around the jawbone. To attach the dentures, the denture is designed to be placed over the bar, with attachments clipping it into place.
Selecting The Right Tooth Replacement Option For You
Often individuals who are battling tooth loss think that replacing their missing teeth is a lost cause. One of the biggest barriers to replacing missing teeth is the cost of replacement treatment. However, there are many oral health issues that occur with missing teeth. Without teeth in the mouth, the facial structure will begin to change, decreasing the ability to eat and speak well. Thanks to advances in dental technology, there are many affordable and reliable tooth replacement options available to help adults who are struggling with tooth loss. If you are interested in replacing your missing teeth but are not interested in conventional dentures, you should look into denture stabilization treatment. Start by having a conversation with a dental provider to see what they think may be the right tooth replacement option for you.