Using Dental Implants to Secure or Replace a Denture

Problems Faced by Denture Wearers
Many people who lose quite a few teeth, or who have lost all their teeth, will choose to wear a full set of dentures. Dentures are a very cost effective way of replacing lost teeth, and the process for having them is relatively quick and non-invasive. Well-made and modern dentures can use extremely life-like teeth, but they are not an ideal solution. One of the main problems with dentures is that they do nothing to help preserve the jawbone. When you lose teeth the jawbone gradually begins to reabsorb as it relies on the tooth roots to provide the necessary stimulation to keep it healthy. Over time the ridge that used to support the teeth will become flatter, and this can make wearing a denture especially awkward.

Dentist BromleyDentures, in particular lower dentures, rely on retention to hold them in position, and as the bony ridge gradually reduces then there will be less and less retention. This can mean the dentures begin to slip and move around, making eating tricky, limiting the choice of foods available. This can negatively impact general health, and could affect digestion. In addition, many people will get increasingly self-conscious about their dentures and will worry that they will move about when they socialise with others. This is when opting for dental implants can really help.

Replacing Dentures with a Fixed Bridge
Dental implants can be placed by Dr Zaki Bashir or another of our dentists in Bromley, and may be used to replace dentures entirely with a fixed bridge. The bridge is permanently cemented or screwed in position, and this treatment can make the world of difference to the quality of life. Imagine not having to worry about lose and uncomfortable dentures anymore, and being able to eat a wider variety of foods than before. This type of treatment will mean having quite a few dental implants placed by one of our dentists in Bromley, and the process is likely to take several months to complete, but it is well worth the effort.

Replacing Dentures with Implant Secured Dentures
Dental implants do require a certain amount of healthy bone, and this can sometimes be a problem for people who have worn dentures for a very long time. In this case one option might be to have fewer implants placed to help hold a denture in position. This technique will enable the denture to snap into place onto the implants, so it is held firmly in position but can still be removed for easy cleaning.

Most people will use dental implants in Bromley to secure lower dentures or to replace them completely, as upper dentures often still have adequate retention. However there is no reason why dental implants should not be used to replace upper dentures, and in fact this can have huge benefits as well. One of the main problems with upper dentures is that they have to be made to completely cover the upper palate in order to give good retention. Upper bridge or implant retained dentures will leave the upper palate completely uncovered. The upper palate contains lots of taste buds, so uncovering it will mean food suddenly becomes a lot more enjoyable.

Bromley Dental Practice

Zaki graduated from University of Bristol 1999 and has practiced in Kent since then. He is passionate about dentistry and providing the highest standard of care for patients, at the same time, he keeps himself at the cutting edge of modern dental techniques.

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Bromley Dental Practice

Zaki graduated from University of Bristol 1999 and has practiced in Kent since then. He is passionate about dentistry and providing the highest standard of care for patients, at the same time, he keeps himself at the cutting edge of modern dental techniques.