How well will I be able to eat with my dentures?
Tuesday, August 25th, 2015Patients who are on the verge of getting dentures express many concerns, but the most common is how the appliances will affect their ability to continue to enjoy a varied diet. This can be an important consideration for patients who are curious about dentures of any type, particularly implant dentures.
The good news is that after a brief adjustment period, most denture-wearing patients can continue to partake of their favorite foods.
There have been significant advances in the design of conventional dentures in recent years, making these appliances much more effective at chewing than they used to be. A qualified dentist can discuss these features with you in greater detail.
However, implant-supported dentures do tend to be somewhat more stable and generally more effective at replicating the natural chewing mechanism.
Implant dentures have a physical link to the underlying jawbone because the bone fuses with the implants after the dentist inserts them into the jaw. Therefore, an implant denture is secure, and it helps to anchor the jawbone and prevent any erosion as well.
The bond between bone and implant also leaves implant dentures able to withstand fairly significant chewing forces similar to those that can be tolerated by biological teeth.
Receiving dental implants to support a denture doesn’t necessarily create the need for extensive oral surgery either. Depending on the technique used, as few as four dental implants can be placed to support a denture. In such cases, the patient often undergoes the placement procedure in an outpatient setting in a single appointment. Many patients can even be fitted with their new appliance right after that session.
Dentures provide a number of good options that can help the patient to replace their missing teeth with maximum functionality. The patient will be able to enjoy a diverse diet including foods of differing textures – and a beautiful appearance. Call our office to learn more about the various appliances that may be suitable in your case.