Permanent dentures are one of the best options available for replacing teeth. Sometimes called implant-support dentures or “fixed” dentures, permanent dentures utilize dental implants to stay in place.
When most people think of dentures, they imagine an older person, maybe a grandmother or grandfather, removing their teeth. Getting dentures is intimidating for many people because they associate the process with old age and removable teeth.
The good news is that teeth replacement doesn’t have to look like this anymore. Some permanent options allow you to replace missing or damaged teeth, and most people will have no idea you no longer have your natural teeth.
Traditional dentures require adhesive or denture glue to stay in place. Unfortunately, this adhesive isn’t always reliable, and dentures can slip out of place.
With permanent dentures, you never need to worry about shifting or moving your teeth because dentures are secured in place with posts surgically implanted into your jawbone.
Additionally, implant supported dentures are custom-fit for your mouth, so they are comfortable and perform just like your natural teeth, which isn’t the case with traditional dentures.
What Are the Benefits of Permanent Dentures?
Permanent dentures offer a variety of benefits, including:
Stability
Permanent dentures are anchored in place with implants. This makes them far more stable than traditional dentures that rely on adhesive or glue to stay in place. Implant dentures allow you to regain a great deal of freedom.
You won’t need to be careful about what you eat and never be concerned about whether your dentures will slip out of place when eating or talking.
Better Oral Health
Not only are permanent dentures more convenient and stable, but they also benefit your oral health. Implant dentures preserve your jawbone because they stimulate cell regeneration and bone development.
This prevents bone loss, a common concern after losing a tooth or teeth. Additionally, you care for permanent dentures in much the same way as you care for your natural teeth.
You don’t need to remove and soak your dentures at night, which was the case with removable dentures. Instead, you simply brush and floss like always. This reduces your risk of gum disease and other dental health concerns.
Better Appearance
Permanent dentures look and feel like natural teeth, which means that getting them will actually improve your smile. While dentures might replace gaps in your smile, they can be noticeably unnatural. With permanent dentures, you’ll have healthy-looking teeth that stay in place and are perfectly aligned in your mouth.
Long-lasting
Perhaps the best benefit of permanent dentures is their lifespan. If you take proper care of your permanent denture implants, it’s very likely to last you the rest of your life. Rarely is this the case with traditional dentures. In most cases, you’ll need to replace permanent dentures every few years.
Are Permanent Dentures Right for Everyone?
Unfortunately, not everyone is a good candidate for permanent dentures.
This option offers numerous benefits, but it isn’t suitable for everyone. Several things affect your eligibility for permanent dentures, including:
- Overall health
- Bone density
- Budget can influence candidacy
If you have certain medical conditions like diabetes or you smoke, it affects your healing process. This increases the risk of implant failure. Additionally, you need adequate jawbone density for successful implantation.
Finally, financial constraints can also limit accessibility. Permanent dentures tend to be more expensive than removable options. Good oral hygiene is also essential to maintaining the life of your dentures. Not everyone can do this, and mental health and physical limitations might make preserving your permanent dentures challenging.
Permanent Denture Implant Process
The process of getting permanent dentures is lengthy and requires several phases. Depending on how quickly your body heals, it can take several months.
What should you expect if you decide permanent dentures are for you?
The initial step of getting permanent dentures is the initial consultation and examination. This is when you’ll discuss the process with your dentist and oral surgeon, and they’ll determine whether or not you are a good candidate for the process.
Next comes treatment planning. Permanent dentures are customized for your mouth, so your dentist will need to create a customized plan that suits your specific needs. At this point, you’ll also receive an estimation of how long the process will take.
The next step involves the surgical implantation process. This is when the foundation layer of your permanent dentures is implanted into your jawbone. It’s performed under local anesthesia or sedation and can take a few hours.
During the procedure, small posts are inserted into the jawbone where teeth are missing. These posts are the anchors for what will eventually be your permanent dentures.
Once the surgery is complete, you’ll need to wait until your mouth completely heals. This can take several weeks or months, and you must be completely healed before moving on to the next step.
This is why it’s essential to achieve optimal overall health before undergoing implant surgery to ensure that you recover as quickly and with as few complications as possible.
Next up is the placement of the abutment. These are the connecting pieces that attach to the permanent dentures. The abutments protrude over your gumline and secure your new teeth in place.
Following the placement of the abutments, your dentist will take an impression of your mouth that’s used to create your permanent dentures. Once they are complete, you’ll return one last time for the fitting and final placement of your new teeth.
Your dentist will likely give you aftercare procedures to follow, including proper dental care practices, regular dental checkups for cleanings and examinations, and anything you should avoid now that you have permanent dentures.
Improve Your Smile with Permanent Denture Implants
If you believe permanent dentures might be right for you, or you would like to learn more about the benefits of permanent denture implants, contact us to schedule a consultation.
