When you’ve either lost an entire arch of teeth or need them to be removed, you’ll want to get dentures as soon as possible so that you can continue to speak clearly and enjoy a varied diet. At first, you’ll probably assume you need traditional dentures that can be removed at night – but did you know that there are dentures that you won’t have to take out at all? If you’re facing a future with extensive tooth loss, contact us today so that you can ask Dr. Marable about fixed dentures in Fort Valley, GA.
What are Fixed Dentures?
As you would no doubt expect from the name, fixed dentures are permanently anchored in place. This is done via dental implants, which are thin, screw-like titanium posts that interface directly with the jawbone. Implants serve a dual purpose: in addition to supporting your false teeth, they also stimulate the underlying bone. This means they can prevent bone loss, a benefit that you would not be able to enjoy with the traditional methods of tooth replacement.
How Do Fixed Dentures Work?
Implants essentially act as the roots for your new teeth. They’ll be completely hidden under the gum line and won’t be visible in your mouth at all; casual observers will only see your dentures, which will be designed to look as natural as possible. A key feature of implants is that since they’re made out of titanium, they can fuse with the bone tissue. This grants them a high amount of stability as well as improved chewing power.
The Procedure
Before getting your actual dentures, the implants need to be surgically placed in your jaw. Fortunately, this is a relatively simple procedure. After the necessary preparations have been made, we can perform the surgery at our dental office. After numbing your mouth, we will place the implants at strategic areas in your jaw. You may receive four to eight implants in order to support a single arch of teeth, and the procedure itself could take one to three hours.
When Will I Get My New Teeth?
After your implants have been placed, the question is when you’ll receive your dentures. Your implants need time to join with the jawbone, so they won’t be able to bear the burden of permanent new teeth right away. Sometimes it’s possible to place temporary dentures immediately so that you don’t have to go toothless in the meantime. It normally takes several months for the mouth to heal to the point where permanent dentures can be safely placed.
Surgery Aftercare
Regardless of whether or not you have temporary dentures, you need to be very gentle with your implants until they’ve fully integrated with your jaw. This naturally means you’ll have to stick to a softer diet while avoiding hard or chewy foods. (Fortunately, the stability of implants means you’ll eventually be able to enjoy such foods again in the future.) Let us know right away if you notice any swelling or if your implants move slightly; these are sure signs that there’s a problem.
Benefits of Fixed Dentures
Implant-supported prosthetics are considered the new gold standard for replacing teeth. When you get fixed dentures, you can enjoy multiple advantages, such as:
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New teeth that look lifelike and feel like the real thing.
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Improved chewing power so that your diet isn’t limited.
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Dentures that don’t slip at inconvenient times and don’t require adhesive.
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Prevention of bone loss in order to maintain strong, healthy facial structure.
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An investment that can last a lifetime with the right maintenance.
Are Fixed Dentures Right for Me?
Are you a candidate for fixed dentures? Before we can answer that question, we need to examine your mouth. First, we need to determine if your tooth loss is extensive enough to warrant full dentures or if another type of prosthetic (such as a bridge) would be more appropriate. Then we need to check the density of the bone in your jaw as well as the health of your gums; any potential complications will have to be dealt with before surgery.
Fixed Dentures FAQs
Are you ready to replace your missing teeth with a durable, natural-looking solution that lasts? While fixed dentures in Fort Valley are a wonderful way to rebuild your smile after tooth loss, they are also a major investment and a decision that you shouldn’t make lightly. Before you go through with this treatment, you should be as well-informed as possible. Our team is happy to address any concerns you may have, but first, we suggest reading through this list of frequently asked questions about fixed dentures.
