Why Implant Dentures Don’t Become Loose

Patients who’ve lost all of their teeth on one or both of their dental ridges and rely on dentures to fulfill their smile may wonder if there’s a way to stop their dentures from slipping. When first crafted, dentures should fit snugly over your gums, but after a while, they may begin to lose their grip and slip as you bite, chew, smile, or speak. However, patients who opt for dentures supported by a series of implants find that denture slippage isn’t a necessary inconvenience.

How do Conventional Dentures Lose their Grip?

Like all things, your dentures won’t be brand new after years of biting and chewing. Over time, your dentures can wear down, becoming loose and less effective. Still, everyday wear and tear isn’t the main reason for denture slippage. When your teeth are uprooted from the jawbone that supports them, the lack of stimulation can lead to an inhibited flow of nutrients, and the result is often a slowly deteriorating (shrinking) jawbone. As your dental ridge changes, your custom-fit denture won’t fit the same for long, and will continue to grow loose until eventually needing replacement.

What is a Dental Implant?

The replacement teeth attached to a traditional denture are designed to replace the top, visible portions of your teeth, called the crowns. Below them, though, dentures don’t possess the means to secure the replacement crowns to your jawbone, like roots do for your healthy teeth. A dental implant is a titanium, root-shaped device that’s surgically inserted where your lost teeth’s roots were. To support a complete denture, Dr. Maria or Dr. Thanasi can place a series of implants into your jawbone, then attach your denture to the prosthetic roots once your jawbone has healed (usually in about 4-6 months).

Improved Support all Around

The immediate benefit of implant-supported dentures is a more stable foundation to hold the dentures in place. The long-term benefits, which do the most to prevent denture slippage, include restoring the root stimulation that keeps your jawbone strong, healthy, and well-fed with nutrients. The pressure from biting and chewing stimulates the embedded implants, and the restored flow of nutrient-rich blood helps prevent your jawbone from changing shape due to deterioration.

About Your Park Ridge Implant Dentists:

Though we can rebuild your smile if it’s compromised by cavities or gum disease, preventing such issues with improved dental hygiene can help you avoid the need for complex restorative treatment. Dr. Maria and Dr. Thanasi Loukas are highly-skilled general, restorative, and implant dentists serving the Park Ridge and surrounding Chicago communities. To schedule an appointment, call Loukas General Dentistry today at (847) 696-1919.