Losing teeth means more than just having a gap in your smile. A missing tooth can make other everyday activities more difficult. Simple joys like biting into an apple, sharing a hearty laugh, or talking to our loved ones may become challenging or stressful. For many years, traditional full dentures were the go-to solution for replacing a full set of teeth, but these traditional dentures have been around since approximately 2500 B.C. Modern advancements in dentistry, especially innovations in implant technology, have facilitated more effective solutions.
Mini dental implants have revolutionized dentures by providing firm anchors for full-arch replacement teeth. At Utah Denture & Implant Center, we prefer mini implant dentures due to their combination of stability, durability, and affordability. Additionally, if you already have a set of traditional dentures, we may be able to transform them into implant-supported dentures.
What Are Full Dentures?
These dentures are custom-fit dental prosthetics that replace full arches of teeth in either the upper or lower jaw—or, in many cases, both. They consist of a full smile of artificial teeth attached to a gum base that rests on your jawbone and gums. The life of your full dentures depends on how well you care for them. Generally, they last between 5 and 10 years with good care.
Partial Dentures
You might have heard about both full and partial dentures. The difference is pretty simple. Full dentures are designed for patients who are missing all their teeth in one or both jaws. On the other hand, when only a few teeth are missing, we use partial dentures! These prosthetics attach to your remaining teeth with clasps or metal wires that blend in with your remaining teeth.
Challenges With Traditional Dentures
Both full and partial dentures fall under the category of traditional dentures. While these conventional options have been a tried-and-true solution for years, they aren’t without challenges. Some common issues include:
- Appearance: Their bulky design makes it hard for traditional dentures to perfectly mimic the look or function of your natural teeth.
- Stability: Traditional dentures rely on your jaw for support, but don’t prevent bone loss due to missing teeth. As time passes, you’ll notice that your dentures will loosen, causing them to shift around in your mouth.
- Maintenance: Like anything we use daily, dentures need regular check-ups and consistent professional adjustments to maintain their fit.
- Mastication: Mastication is the scientific term for the act of chewing. As dentures loosen, your ability to break down foods is reduced, often resulting in drastic diet changes.
If you’re looking for a more secure solution than traditional full dentures, we recommend using dental implants!
A Modern Solution: Mini Implant Dentures
For a more secure and long-lasting solution, implant dentures offer better outcomes than conventional options. These dentures utilize mini dental implants to firmly anchor them into the jawbone. Measuring less than 3 mm wide, these toothpick-sized screws offer an incredible combination of stability and versatility. In addition to solving many of the problems mentioned above, the innovation of mini implants allows for many benefits, including:
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Mini implant-supported dentures attach directly to mini dental implants placed strategically around your jawbone. Quicker placement: Mini implants are less invasive to place than traditional implants and can often be completed in just one short visit.
- Faster recovery: Because mini implants are minimally invasive, most patients return to their normal routine within 24-48 hours.
- Longer lasting: With a single-piece titanium design, mini implants are strong and durable, ensuring a longer-lasting result.
- More affordable: With all these benefits, you expect mini implant dentures to be expensive. However, mini implants are more affordable than their traditional counterparts, providing a cost-effective solution!
Another great feature of mini dental implants is that, in some cases, we may be able to convert them into snap-on dentures! This process allows you to keep your original full dentures while gaining the benefits of implants.
Ready to Secure Your Full Dentures? Visit Utah Denture & Implant Center!
For the team at Utah Denture & Implant Center, denture care isn’t just about replacing missing teeth; it’s about restoring each patient’s confidence! Our highly skilled and compassionate team is dedicated to helping you discover the best denture fit for your needs and budget. With mini implant-supported dentures, you can enjoy a stable smile that will last for years to come!
Schedule a free implant consultation today and discover if mini implant dentures are right for you.
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