Do you have trouble envisioning dentures that are permanently fixed in place? The two seem contradictory, don’t they? But thanks to advances in dentistry, they’re not. You now have the option of permanent dentures, or implant-supported fixed dentures.
The team at Meadowbrook Dental Care in Mineola, New York, offers all types of dentures, including permanently fixed dentures that provide the same strength and stability as your original teeth.
Dentures, overdentures, and fixed dentures
Let’s take care of any confusion you may have about the different names and types of dentures.
Dentures
When we say “dentures,” we’re talking about traditional dentures that fit over your gums and must be removed and cleaned daily. Dentures stay in place using saliva, which forms a seal between the denture and your gums. Alternately, many patients use adhesives to help secure their dentures.
Overdentures
Overdentures are more secure than traditional dentures because they don’t rely on saliva or adhesives. Instead, they snap over dental implants inserted into your jawbone. However, they’re the same as traditional dentures because they’re removed for daily cleaning.
Fixed dentures
Fixed dentures are also attached using dental implants, but they’re designed to stay in place permanently, just like a bridge or crown. For this reason, fixed dentures require more dental implants than overdentures. They’re also usually made of high-quality porcelain because it’s strong, stain-resistant, and resembles your natural tooth enamel.
Benefits of permanently fixed dentures
The biggest benefit of fixed dentures is that they’re securely attached. Patients with fixed dentures don’t struggle with gum discomfort or worry about dentures coming loose at random moments.
The secure attachment provided by fixed dentures also means you can confidently eat the foods you love. Fixed dentures restore full functionality. You can bite, chew, and talk just like you did when you had healthy, natural teeth.
Just keep in mind that the porcelain teeth in your fixed dentures are strong, but like your natural enamel, they won’t hold up to munching on ice cubes or biting down on hard objects.
Benefits of dental implants
Dental implants consist of titanium rods that are biocompatible — safe for your body — and capable of attaching to your bone. After we insert implants, the surrounding bone regrows and fuses with the titanium rod, forming a strong bond. Dental implants effectively serve as tooth roots, creating an anchor that securely holds your fixed denture in place.
Implants are an exceptional way to attach permanent dentures, but they do more than that: They also preserve the density and strength of your jawbone. All the bones in your body, including your upper and lower jawbones, continuously remove old or damaged bone and replace it with new bone. Here’s the thing: In your jaw, bone remodeling relies on stimulation from your teeth and teeth roots.
When you lose one or more teeth, your jawbone begins to weaken. Dental implants take over for the original roots, so they continue to keep your jawbones strong and healthy. Maintaining strong jawbones translates into longevity for your permanent, fixed dentures.
What should I know about fixed dentures?
Getting dental implants may take a little longer than getting traditional dentures. After we insert the implant, you’ll need to wait 3-6 months to give the bone time to fuse with the implant. If your jawbone is too thin for an implant, we may begin with a bone graft, which also needs time to heal before inserting the implant.
The team at Meadowbrook Dental Care can outline a treatment plan after they evaluate your dental health and jawbone. You’ll know ahead of time the number of visits you’ll need, approximate healing time (each person heals at a different rate), your costs, and whether you’ll have temporary dentures.
In the end, the long-term results are well worth the wait as you’ll have permanent dentures that work just as well as your original teeth. To learn more about implant-supported fixed dentures, call Meadowbrook Dental Care or use the online booking feature to schedule an appointment.