People have long depended on dentures to restore the full use of their smiles after losing most or all of their teeth. Consisting of a row of false teeth that sit upon a gum-colored base, the idea behind dentures has existed for hundreds of years (perhaps longer), though today’s materials allow for more precise and more lifelike appliances that look as good as they function. In fact, today’s advanced dentistry allows dentures to do more than they ever could for your smile through the addition of dental implants, which are the only dental restoration that replaces the roots of your lost teeth. Your Park Ridge implant dentists, Dr. Maria and Dr. Thanasi Loukas, explain why implant-supported dentures are the only complete smile restoration, and why that’s important to your oral health.
What Traditional Dentures Lack
Without an adequate amount of teeth, your mouth would be unable to properly chew your food or enunciate your words clearly. By replacing your dentition (the full arrangement of your teeth), dentures can help improve your quality of life after significant tooth loss. If you’ve worn dentures for a while, however, then you may be familiar with a common complaint concerning traditional dentures—the nuisance of ill-fitting dentures, and the need for adjustments and replacements to address them.
Dental Implants + Dentures = Completely Restored Smile
The problem with denture slippage lies in the continuing destruction that follows tooth loss. Healthy tooth roots, which are embedded in your jawbone, act as beacons for nutrients when they’re stimulated by biting and chewing. This stimulation tells your body that your jawbone needs sufficient nutrition to support these teeth. When the roots are lost and the stimulation ceases, the nutrient supply diminishes, and in time, your jawbone can deteriorate, consequently shrinking your dental ridge. Dental implants are small rods that are surgically inserted into your jawbone to support your replacement teeth. Once healed, the implants replace the traditional plastic base and can secure your dentures like natural tooth roots, restoring the stimulation that your jawbone relies on and helping preserve your jaw’s integrity.
Learn More About Implant-Supported Dentures in Park Ridge
If you’ve suffered significant tooth loss, speak with Dr. Loukas about your eligibility for implant-supported dentures, the only replacement option that restores your entire smile. You can schedule an appointment with your Park Ridge implant dentists by calling Loukas General Dentistry at (847) 696-1919. Located in the 60068 area, we proudly serve patients from Park Ridge and the surrounding Chicago communities.