ARE PERMANENT DENTURES RIGHT FOR YOU?

Permanent dentures are a great option if you have lost most or all of your teeth and want something that stays in permanently and‌ functions more like natural teeth than a removable denture․ Because permanent dentures are attached to dental implants rather than resting on your gums‚‌ you have more freedom and stability․ These procedures may not be right for everyone‚‌ but having an understanding of who makes a good candidate is next step to take․

Your dentist will first assess the general health of your teeth and gums; healthy gums support the tissue surrounding the dental implants․ Periodontitis, or gum disease, that is not under control‚ as well as other untreated dental infections‚ need to be addressed before implant procedures‚ because the long term success of the implant increases if your mouth is healthy․

Your jawbone is also‌ important․. You need to have enough bone in your jaw for dental implants to work․ Even if you have some loss of bone‚ it is possible to rebuild it with the help of bone grafting. Stronger bones help the implants remain securely in place․ Your dentist may use digital imaging to assess whether your bone structure can support treatment‚ or if any preparatory work is necessary beforehand․

Your general health will also‌ be evaluated․ Some medical conditions and medications‌ may affect your ability to heal․ Your dentist will want to discuss your medical and dental history and any medical‌ conditions that could affect your treatment․ Providing your dental team with complete and accurate health and drug information helps‌ them recommend the safest and most effective treatment for your needs․ If you are going to invest the time and money into permanent denutres, then you want to be sure that you are going to have the best possible outcome.

Other factors that may influence eligibility include the patient's cigarette and tobacco usage‚ which impair healing and can lead to implant‌ failure․ A dentist may recommend that a patient quit smoking or reduce tobacco usage before and after an implant procedure to improve the likelihood of successful healing of the‌ implant․ This will help with the long-term‌ success of your permanent dentures․

Your individual priorities help the dentist form the best treatment plan to meet your desired results․ If it would bother you if your replacement teeth came out of your mouth when you eat‚ talk or laugh‚ permanent dentures may be better for you than removable dentures․ The freedom of not using denture adhesive‚ not needing to remove them at night‚ and better denture stability may increase enjoyment of social events‚ general activity‚ and a wider range of foods․

Bear in mind that permanent dentures last longer than traditional dentures, but they take more time and commitment upfront. Your permanent dentures could involve multiple visits to the dentist as your implants heal and bond with your jawbone over a period of months․ Once your permanent dentures are in place‚ brushing‚ cleaning around the implants‚ and regularly seeing your dentist will help keep your mouth as healthy as possible and your restoration in good condition․

If you have more questions about permanent dentures or how they could affect your dental health, make an appointment with the dentist to see if permanent dentures are the best treatment plan for you.

Related Article: What Are Permanent Dentures?