Why Do Dentures Tend To Lose Their Fit?
If you’re weighing up the options between dental implants in Richmond and standard dentures you may already know that dentures can and do lose their fit after a while. As such they have to be re-adjusted but why is this? The answer is bone loss…
When we lose our teeth up to 40% of the natural bone surrounding the tooth is lost within the first year. Unfortunately this is an unavoidable process that occurs naturally. Even though dentures replace missing teeth so that we can eat and chew naturally again, what they can’t do is to halt that bone loss. This is why where a patient once had snug-fitting dentures, they now become loose as the shape of the jaw changes. Anyone who’s had dentures knows just how embarrassing and painful loose dentures can be This is why they need ongoing adjustment and eventually replacement. In fact the average lifespan of a set of dentures is just 7-10 years for this reason.
What about dental implants?
Dental implants are clearly an alternative to dentures but they too have their disadvantages. Initially they are more expensive than dentures (sometimes 3-4 times the cost) and in order to fit them they require a surgical process. However they also have their advantages. One of these is that they can halt bone loss. So how is this possible?
Unlike dentures which sit on the jaw line, a dental implant is secured directly into the jaw bone. The clever part is that the titanium implant them mimics the tooth root and over time the surrounding bone tissue merges and fuses with the implant making one incredibly strong platform. Therefore halting the bone loss process once and for all. From an aesthetics point of view it means that the patient often looks younger as they have a fuller face. The cheeks are now fully supported and no longer sunken. Moreover implants are permanent and hassle-free in that they never have to be removed, never have to be adjusted, and if properly cared for, never have to be replaced.
So to sum up, dentures are an easier and initially cheaper option, however they need continual adjustment due to ongoing bone loss. Dental implants in Richmond on the other hand are initially more expensive but are a permanent, hassle-free option.
If you’re in two minds over dentures versus dental implants in Richmond, then you need to come and speak to Sheen Dental. Book yourself a free, no obligation consultation by visiting our website at www.sheendentalimplants.co.uk or contacting us directly on 020 8876 5277. Here you can get all your questions and concerns answered giving you all that you need to make a fully informed dental decision about your future.