While dentures are a classic, quick way to replace missing teeth, they’re not your only option anymore! Dental implants are a unique method that can permanently rebuild your smile with unmatched function and durability. If you’re tired of loose, uncomfortable, and short-lived dentures, you may be able to switch them out for dental implants instead! Here’s what you need to know for a smooth transition from dentures to dental implants.
Why Make the Switch?
Thanks to high quality materials and new dental technology, dentures have improved by leaps and bounds over the years. However, they still don’t replace the roots of your missing teeth as well as their crowns. Eventually, this leads to jawbone deterioration and a sunken, aged appearance in the facial features. This also means that as they wear down over time, they become loose, uncomfortable, and need to be replaced.
That’s why so many patients turn to dental implants instead! They’re designed to replace missing teeth both above and below the gumline anchoring directly into the jawbone. This gives them incredible functionality while simultaneously preserving your jaw. What’s more, they can be cleaned just like natural teeth and have the potential to last a lifetime!
What to Expect From the Process
The first step towards switching your dentures for dental implants is a consultation with your dentist. They’ll carefully inspect your mouth and review your medical history to ensure that you’re a good candidate. In some cases, you’ll need to have preliminary treatments such as gum disease therapy or bone grafts to get you ready for your brand-new smile.
Next, you’ll have several dental implant posts surgically placed in your jawbone. It will take a few months for your mouth to heal after this surgery, then you’ll have your final restoration placed. While this process is much longer and more involved than getting dentures, the incredible results are well worth the wait!
Tips for a Smooth Transition
After your implant-retained dentures are in place, your dentist will go over how to care for your new smile. To keep your dental implants firmly in place and infection-free until they’ve fully healed, keep these tips in mind:
- Practice great oral hygiene, including brushing for two minutes twice a day, flossing daily, and rinsing with mouthwash regularly.
- Make an effort to quit bad habits that could threaten the success of your dental implants, such as smoking and chewing on hard objects.
- Attend all your follow-up appointments and let your dentist know if you’re experiencing any new, unusual, or worrying dental symptoms.
Making the switch from dentures to dental implants can be a life-changing decision. Talk to your dentist today to see if this state-of-the-art treatment is right for you!
About the Author
Dr. James K. Kramer has been rebuilding smiles in Selbyville, DE for over three decades. Thanks to his commitment to continuing education and thousands of hours of training in dental implants, he can perform every step of the dental implant process right here in office, no referrals required! He uses state-of-the-art technology to ensure his patients enjoy a comfortable treatment and precise, long-lasting results. To learn more about making the switch to dental implants form dentures, feel free to contact him via his website or at (302) 436-5133.