Old vs. New: Understanding Implant-Supported Dentures

Even if you’ve lost all of your teeth on one or both dental ridges, you can rest assured that modern, custom-designed dentures can help restore your smile’s beauty and function. Nevertheless, most people don’t look forward to a day when they have to remove their teeth to sleep at night, and would prefer to retain all of their natural teeth, instead. As dedicated implant dentists in Park Ridge, Dr. Maria and Dr. Thanasi Loukas agree; your natural teeth share a complex and vital relationship with the rest of your oral health. Since traditional dentures only restore the upper halves of your teeth, their immediate benefits are limited compared to the long-term benefits of implant dentures.

Time-Honored Tooth Replacement

Though limited, the benefits of conventional dentures are far from trivial. Throughout history, humans have endeavored to replace lost teeth and the ability to bite and chew food. Today’s dentures are designed to do the same while closely mimicking the visible parts of your natural teeth. The porcelain often used for dentures is specially crafted and layered to match the light-reflecting abilities of your tooth enamel. Instead of roots, however, traditional dentures are secured to your gums using dental adhesive, and as many denture-wearers know, they often lose their tight grip and start to slip when biting, chewing, and speaking.

The Security of Implanted Anchors

When replacing teeth that should be sturdy and statuesque, the foundation is extremely important. Your natural teeth gain much of their strength from the fact that their roots are embedded within your jawbone. Similarly, dental implants are root-shaped devices that are surgically implanted into your jawbone, and then serve as anchors for your dentures.  While the denture portion of implant dentures restores your ability to bite and chew, the implants provide the support it needs to function as well as natural teeth.

Dental Implant Dentures and More with Your Park Ridge Implant Dentists

To learn about implant dentures and how they can restore your smile to its former or glory, or for information about upgrading your current dentures with a series of dental implants, schedule an appointment with Dr. Maria and Dr. Thanasi Loukas by calling your Park Ridge implant dentists’ office at (847) 696-1919. Located in the 60068 area, we proudly serve patients from Park Ridge and the surrounding Chicago communities.