Traditional dentures are usually held in place using natural suction, denture adhesive, or metal clasps. Over time, this fit will change as your gums naturally shrink with age, making your dentures feel unstable and uncomfortable. With implant-retained dentures, this is no longer a problem because they are placed in your mouth in such a way that not only are they much more secure, but will keep the same fit for many years.

Like the name implies, implant-retained dentures are held in place with dental implants. These are small titanium posts that are surgically placed into your jaw to mimic the root of a tooth. With implant-retained dentures, multiple posts are placed into the jaw to serve as a stable base for the prosthetic. The dentures themselves are still a row of prosthetic teeth attached to a gum colored base, but the way they fit in your mouth is completely different. This approach to dentures has a multitude of benefits that make them a superior solution for people missing multiple teeth.

We’ve mentioned that they have a more stable fit, so the question is how do they accomplish that? In addition to creating a firm base for your dentures, dental implants also stimulate a healthy blood flow to your gums and jaw. This blood flow naturally slows down after you have lost your teeth, which causes them to atrophy. Traditional dentures do nothing to fix this problem, which is why a snug fitting set of dentures can start to feel loose only after a few years. Dental implants help keep this part of your body healthy and stable, which means your dentures will fit better for a longer amount of time.

They also support your jawbone structurally. Natural tooth roots actually provide a lot of internal support for your jawbone that is essential to it being strong and functional. Once again, traditional dentures do nothing to restore this structure, which can drastically impact their fit over time. With dental implants, your jaw is fully supported and will stay healthier as time goes on.

Implant-retained dentures also allow for a much stronger bite force, which enables a patient to eat a wider variety of healthier foods. Bite force is usually measured with a unit called Pascals. A full set of natural teeth usually provides a person with a bite force of about 200-270 Pascals, while traditional dentures only provide about 40 Pascals. This is why many people have to drastically alter their diet. Implant-retained dentures, however, allow a patient to have a bite force of 150 Pascals or greater. This allows them to eat whatever they want with confidence. The end result is a set of teeth you can rely on whether you’re talking, eating, or simply want to play with your grandkids.

The first step to getting a better set of dentures is to make an appointment with your dentist in Allen at the Ryan Dental Group. This will give Dr. Michael Ryan the chance to examine your mouth and gums to see if implant-retained dentures are right for you. Qualified candidates usually are in good overall health, have stable oral health, and an adequate amount of healthy jawbone to support the implants.

First, Dr. Ryan will have to place your implants, which involves a minor surgery that usually requires very little recovery time. Right after the surgery, he will place a temporary set of dentures so that you will always have a full set of teeth during your treatment. After you have healed, you will return to the office to have your final set of dentures placed. They are usually connected to the implants using a metal bar or a set of rounded-joints, and Dr. Ryan will show you how to place them. After that, you are done, and can start enjoying your new set of teeth knowing that you’ll be able to rely on them for years to come.