If you are thinking about getting dentures, you may be wondering if you can get implants afterward. The short answer is yes, you can! Getting implants after dentures is a great way to improve the fit and function of your dentures.
In fact, many people who get dentures eventually get implants to secure their dentures and improve their chewing function. There are a few things to consider, such as the state of your oral health and the type of implants you want. We got in touch with a dentist who provides dentures and implants in Arlington,Tx to find out more about this situation.
Keep reading to learn more about what you need to know before getting implants to support your dentures!
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are titanium posts that are surgically implanted into the jawbone. They act as artificial tooth roots and can be used to support dentures, bridges, or crowns. They are the gold standard of teeth replacement since they are permanent and help create natural-looking, long-lasting smiles. Placing the implants in your mouth requires dental surgery where healing can take up to 3 months. They are expensive compared to other options but are a great investment for anyone who a permanent solution to missing teeth.
What Are Dentures?
A denture is a type of dental prosthetic appliance that is used to replace missing teeth. It is usually made of acrylic or porcelain and is held in place by suction or adhesive.
Dentures can be used to replace a full set of teeth (known as a complete denture) or just a few missing teeth (known as a partial denture). Dentures are not a new invention – they have been used for centuries to help people with missing teeth regain their smiles. However, modern dentures are much more comfortable and natural-looking than their predecessors.
Why Should You Choose Dental Implants Over Dentures?
While dentures are a wonderful option to replace missing teeth, there are several limitations that make dental implants a more attractive choice despite their higher cost.
Dentures are only temporary and need to be replaced every 10 years due to changes in jaw structure and daily wear and tear. While they are removable and easy to clean, they aren’t held in place which can create some awkward moments in the public.
Dentures also cause a collapse of the jawbone which can alter your face shape. Dental implants on the other hand are fused to the bone and thus prevent bone loss. They don’t move around, slip loosen or fall out while eating or talking. They are also permanent fixtures so there is no need to remove them. You can simply brush and floss your teeth as usual to clean dental implants. Plus they look and feel just like your natural teeth.
Can You Get Dental Implant After Dentures?
If you have already got dentures and were wondering if you could switch to dental implants, you definitely can. Several people have opted to get dental implants after receiving dentures to enhance their smile and get a more long-lasting solution.
However, there is a caveat. If you have been wearing dentures for a long time, your face may have collapsed.
Once your body recognizes there are no dental roots, it decides the jawbone is no longer needed to support the teeth. As a result, it reabsorbs the minerals in the jawbone to use elsewhere in the body where the mineral is needed.
Since dental implants are fused to the jawbone, there needs to be enough bone material for the dental implants to adhere. If the jaw bone has already shrunk over the years, it may be too late for a dental implant procedure.
However, in some cases, dental implant surgery is possible with help of a bone graft procedure. In this procedure, the surgeon tries to graft synthetic or natural bone in the jawbone to rebuild the jawbone structure. The procedure is not suitable for all patients though so your need to see a dentist to find out if you can undergo the procedure.
Once your teeth and jawbone structure is examined, the dentist will let you know if it is possible for you to get dental implants.
The dental implant surgery takes about an hour and is performed under anesthesia. Once the implant is placed in the jawbone, it takes up to 3 months for the implant to fuse naturally to the bone.
After the fusion is complete, you can get a bridge or denture fitted on top of the dental implant to recreate a beautiful smile.
If you need to get dental implants, Dr. Aamir Budhani at Amazing Dental is one best cosmetic dentists in Arlington,Tx. He has created beautiful smiles for several patients with help of dental implants and will guide them through the process. So call up his clinic or visit the Amazing Dental website right away to schedule an appointment with him. Alternatively, you can also search for a term like “cosmetic dentist paramus” or “dentist near me” to find a dental expert that you can easily visit.
