Permanent Dentures
Traditional dentures that rest directly on the gums can cause a wide range of issues, ranging from sores and general discomfort to embarrassing issues such as falling out of place while talking. Permanent dentures also require a great deal of maintenance and significantly reduce the types of foods a person can eat. In addition to negatively impacting these various quality of life areas, traditional dentures also do not provide enough stimulation to prevent the continued deterioration of one’s jawbone. As a result, dentures need to be refitted to match the changing contour of the wearer’s face. As a result of this continued jawbone deterioration, an individual will begin to look older than they are and greatly increase their susceptibility to developing additional oral health issues.
Permanent dentures provide a stronger, more natural feeling solution for patients who are missing teeth and are strongly recommended for patients who have recently lost a tooth or multiple teeth or for current users of traditional dentures who have experienced any of the issues previously stated. Permanent dentures are adhered to an implant or implants that are strategically placed in your jawbone, after which they are either cemented in place, unless your permanent denture is removable. These titanium posts act as the new root of your artificial teeth. In addition to eliminating the rubbing or slipping that can occur with traditional dentures, permanent dentures also greatly increase your biting force, which means you can start to enjoy eating all types of foods again.
There are many additional benefits to having permanent dentures placed that can make an amazing difference in your professional, social, and romantic life and have a tremendous impact on your overall self-esteem. To learn more about permanent dentures and see if they may be a good treatment option for you, please refer to the following overview. If you have additional questions, schedule an appointment with your periodontist to perform an evaluation to determine if you are a good candidate for permanent dentures, and answer any questions you may have.
Benefits of Permanent Dentures
Permanent dentures have a very high patient satisfaction rate, and it is easy to see why. Some of the biggest reasons patients are thrilled with their permanent dentures include:
- Natural looking smile: While there have been many advancements in the design of dentures, they still can be very obvious to others. With permanent dental implants, the only person who needs to know that they are not your natural teeth is you! By restoring you back to a natural, healthy full smile, many people feel more confident and are less likely to feel embarrassed by their smile or avoid having their picture taken.
- More comfortable: The pain and discomfort caused by dentures is one of the biggest reasons people explore permanent dentures. While you will experience some discomfort during the healing process following your procedure, once this is complete you will not have to worry about your dentures rubbing against your gums and sores developing.
- Expanded diet: Because of the significant increase in stability and strength, you will no longer have to limit yourself to soft foods and can begin to enjoy eating the foods you once did.
- Improves your oral health: Permanent dentures provide the necessary stimulation to your jawbone, which will halt the progression of bone degeneration.
How to Take Care of Your Permanent Dentures
Following your permanent denture procedure, you will likely have some discomfort along with some swelling and bruising. The pain, swelling, and discomfort should begin to subside within a few days and can be managed with over-the-counter or prescription medication and ice therapy. You may also have some mild bleeding for the first few days which can be managed with gauze pads. If prescribed antibiotics, take as directed, especially if you are susceptible to developing infections.
During this recovery period, it is important to follow a soft food diet for at least two weeks or longer if directed. If after your procedure any of your symptoms persist or increase in severity, schedule a follow-up appointment with your periodontist so they can evaluate the implant and determine if there are any issues that need to be addressed.
Are Permanent Dentures Right for Me?
An evaluation will need to be conducted by your periodontist to determine if permanent dentures are a viable treatment option. Many patients who have had dentures for some time may have lost enough jawbone that a bone graft will need to be performed first to ensure there is a sufficient amount of bone available to support your implant. Diagnostic exams will be taken to evaluate the density of your jawbone and determine the best place or places to put your dental implants. Underlying health conditions such as osteoporosis, diabetes, or heart conditions may also make some patients less viable candidates, as well as lifestyle habits, such as tobacco use or inadequate oral hygiene care.
Another important consideration to determine whether permanent dentures are right for you is the time and cost of treatment. One of the biggest benefits of traditional dentures is that they are cost affordable and provide quick results. The process of getting permanent dentures, on the other hand, can take several months and even years. The process also requires multiple visits and can be costly, especially if you are not covered by a dental insurance plan or if your plan does not cover this particular procedure. If the cost of treatment is preventing you from pursuing this treatment, ask your periodontist if they offer any financing options. Not every clinic does, but most clinics wants to see their patients receive the care they need and will do what they can to help ensure you do.
One final consideration that weighs on the minds of patients considering whether or not to pursue getting permanent dentures is concern over how painful the permanent denture process be. While you will experience some discomfort once the sedation and anesthetic administered during your procedure have worn off, please know that a local anesthetic will be administered to ensure you do not experience pain and dental sedation can also be provided, which will ensure you do not experience any pain or discomfort while the permanent denture procedure is being performed and are put into a more relaxed state.