Life Changing Options For Denture Wearers
Practically everyone has a friend or a loved one who is uncomfortable and unhappy with their dentures. Although these dentures are better than having no teeth at all, many people still experience discomfort, and often feel self conscious about their dentures, and just wish that they performed in the same way as their natural teeth did.
Unfortunately denture problems are very common, with many wearers experiencing sore mouths and gums, difficult in speaking clearly, difficulty in eating, and a loss of self esteem. In fact some denture wearers find it difficult to leave the home for fear of embarrassing themselves in front of others should their dentures move unexpectedly. Quite clearly something has to be done to help these people and one solution lies in dental implants.
Options for dental implants
Dental implants in Richmond have been used successfully for many years now to replace individual teeth or multiple missing teeth but for those that have been missing all of their teeth for several years, conventional implants weren’t a viable solution. Dental implants need adequate amounts of bone to support them, and although this isn’t usually a problem if a person has recently lost all of their teeth, long term denture wearers have lost much of their jawbone due to resorption. Although this can often be remedied with a bone graft it adds to the overall cost and complexity of treatment.
The expense of dental implants and the invasiveness of the treatment can put off senior patients from having dental implants. Healing can take a long time and the whole experience can prove traumatic for some elderly patients.
So what’s the solution?
The good news is that mini dental implants have emerged in recent years as an alternative to standard dental implants. They range in size with a diameter from 1.8mm to 3mm as compared to the 3.75mm diameter of conventional dental implants.
The placement procedure is also quite different from that of standard dental implant in Richmond since they can be placed and loaded in just one day. Diagnostic tools are used to mark the placement on the patient’s ridge for the implants and small holes are drilled into the gums. The implants are then inserted into the holes and tightened to keep them secure. Once they’re placed a patient’s denture can be fitted with a metal housing that snaps onto the ball shaped heads of the mini implants. Sometimes a new denture may have to be fabricated but other times the patient’s own denture an be used. Typically as few as 4 mini implants are used and once the denture has been snapped into position, the patient will be given instructions on caring for their denture and sent home.
Because of the fact that this is a far less invasive procedure, less bone density is required, and often a patient’s own dentures can be modified, the treatment addresses the hurdles which a senior may face when looking to have dental implants; and because their own denture can often be used, the treatment is more affordable too.
If you’d like to know more about implant retained dentures and whether they’re suitable for you, then why not come and have a chat with us. Sheen Dental offers a free implant consultation which can be booked online at www.sheendentalimplants.co.uk or you can contact us direct on 020 8876 5277.