Permanent Dentures
Despite even the best oral care regimen, many people experience the loss of one or more teeth during their lifetime. While many are likely familiar with using traditional removable dentures to restore lost teeth, fewer may be aware of a newer option: permanent dentures. This article will examine the characteristics of permanent dentures and evaluate the pros and cons of their use.
Why Are Teeth So Important?
While often overlooked and only talked about with the dentist, our teeth are vital to numerous basic life functions including:
* Chewing: The process for digesting food begins with chewing. So that the body can digest food properly, the teeth first break down bites into smaller pieces. Chewing prepares the food prior to swallowing and also mixes the food with saliva which helps further digestion. Without teeth, it would be necessary to blend, cut up, or otherwise soften foods for eating. Should certain food groups have to be avoided entirely, malnourishment and weight loss could result if insufficient nutrients are consumed.
* Speech: Teeth help people correctly pronounce words and are an essential component to speaking clearly. Many sounds or words in the English language require pressing the tongue against the teeth or blowing air through the teeth. For example, consider words including “s” or “th” (i.e. teeth, think, snacks, and smile). For someone missing teeth, correct pronunciation is difficult and can make understanding their speech more difficult.
* Anatomy of the Jaw: The teeth are one part of an interconnected system that includes the tooth roots, jawbone, and gums. In the absence of natural tooth roots, the supporting bone and gum tissues can become damaged. As these tissues atrophy, further damage and complications can arise including loss of other adjacent teeth.
* Quality of Life: Considering the essential roles they play, it becomes clear that our teeth play a critical role in maintaining quality of life. If chewing is affected due to missing teeth, dietary changes may be required that cause the patient to avoid certain foods they love. Should speech be affected, the person could avoid social situations, become isolated, and feel depressed. And in an age where physical appearances are more important than ever, missing teeth can have a negative affect on someone’s self-confidence.
Permanent Dentures Overview
Fortunately, permanent dentures offer edentulous patients with a long-term restoration option. As opposed to conventional dentures that rest on the patient’s gumline, permanent dentures are mounted to dental implants. The small metal dental implants are surgically embedded into the jawbone to serve as replacement tooth roots and create a strong foundation for the dentures. Permanent dentures are also called implant dentures or implant supported dentures if permanently placed and irremovable.
Traditional vs. Permanent Dentures
There are a couple of main differences between traditional and permanent dentures. First, permanent dentures are generally not removable and are designed such that only a dentist can remove them if necessary. Traditional dentures, on the other hand, should be removed every night.
A second difference is the cleaning process between traditional and permanent dentures. Whenever traditional dentures are removed, they should be cleaned with a brush and non-abrasive denture cleaner. Permanent dentures do not require any special cleaning process and should be brushed the same as natural teeth would.
Advantages of Permanent Dentures
* Less Irritation Over Time: Because they have to be removed frequently, traditional dentures can irritate the gums over time. Ill-fitting dentures can also allow food debris to get trapped under the dentures and if not properly adjusted, could lead to additional rubbing or discomfort. Because they are permanently secured in place, permanent dentures avoid these irritation issues once the mouth adapts to them.
* Feel More Like Natural Teeth: Because of their materials and the fact they stay in the mouth at all times, permanent dentures feel more like natural teeth than removable dentures. With a more natural feel, functionality is unaffected allowing the patient to enjoy the full range of foods they love with confidence.
* Less Noticeable to Others: In addition to feeling more natural than traditional dentures, removable dentures also look more natural. As such, nobody will know the person is wearing dentures unless they are told.
* Easier to Care for: Since they can be cleaned and maintained the same as natural teeth, permanent dentures offer convenience that removable dentures do not. Cleaning techniques do not have to be modified and most people can continue their normal routine unaffected. Additional supplies, like denture cleanser tablets, are also not necessary.
Process to Place Permanent Dentures
Obtaining permanent dentures involves multiple steps that can be broken down into three stages:
1. Preparing the teeth and jaw for dental implants. Any bad teeth are removed and if necessary, a bone graft procedure could be needed to ensure the jaw is strong enough to support the implants.
2. Placing the implants. While the patient is under local anesthesia, the small metal implant posts are placed in the patient’s jawbone. Typically, the procedure is performed on an outpatient basis meaning the patient can return home after surgery.
3. Attaching the permanent dentures to the dental implants. A period of several months will be needed to allow the mouth to heal and the dental implants to fuse with the jawbone. Once fully healed, the permanent dentures can be mounted to the implants.
Placing permanent dentures is a fairly minor procedure but like most oral surgeries, it is normal for the patient to expect some swelling, bruising, and pain following the procedure. Swelling can be managed with ice packs or cold compresses while any pain or discomfort, can generally be managed with over-the-counter pain medications. In some cases, the oral surgeon could prescribe pain medication and antibiotics.
To ensure the wound properly heals in the mouth, it is advisable to keep the area clean and avoid things that could damage it. Hard or crunchy foods should be avoided for an initial period in favor of a diet of softer foods. Regularly brushing the teeth and rinsing the mouth can also help ensure the area heals adequately.