Your Overdenture Guide

If you have multiple missing teeth, you may be considering dentures. However, while traditional dentures were once the only option, overdentures are growing in popularity because of their many benefits. If you would like to know more, keep reading.

What Are Overdentures?

Traditional dentures are custom designed to fit your gums. This tight fit and the natural saliva in your mouth hold the dentures in place. However, this hold is weak, so you may dislodge them when you eat, talk, or laugh.

Overdentures use titanium dental implants to secure the dentures in place. The dentist inserts them directly into the gums and jawbone. You can also choose partial overdentures to replace a handful of missing teeth.

Some overdentures can be removed by the wearer, but others can only be removed by the dentist. These fixed overdentures are harder to clean if you get food trapped under the overdentures, but they are more durable.

What Are the Benefits of Overdentures?

The most obvious benefit of overdentures is stability. The implants prevent the dentures from slipping, so you can live your life without the fear of your dentures falling out. This also makes it easier to eat certain foods like corn on the cob, chewy foods, hard-to-tear foods, etc.

Even a partial overdenture has advantages over a traditional dental bridge. Traditional bridges use healthy teeth to secure the bridge. Not only does this permanently alter the tooth, but it also puts more wear and tear on these teeth. The weaker these teeth become, the weaker the bridge. With overdentures, the jawbone takes all the stress, and the jawbone fuses to the implant for a powerful hold.

Finally, a common problem with tooth loss is jawbone loss. Without teeth, the jawbone shrinks. Traditional dentures and bridges replace the teeth crowns, but they don't replace the teeth roots, so the jaw remains unstimulated. Only implants like those used in overdentures can stimulate the jawbone and keep it dense.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Overdentures?

Just about anyone with multiple missing teeth (or all missing teeth) is a good candidate for a full or partial overdenture. However, if you have untreated gum disease, you and your dentist will need to treat the disease first. If gum disease and/or tooth loss has caused the jawbone to shrink, you may also need a bone graft to strengthen the bone.

Overdentures are a great alternative to traditional dentures. They are more stable and prevent facial changes from bone loss. If you would like to know more about overdentures, contact a dentist's office in your area such as Smiles By Hogan.


Share