Close your eyes and imagine biting into a crisp apple. Next, imagine sinking your teeth into a juicy steak, every bite packed with flavor. While this may be a common reality for some, people who are missing teeth haven’t experienced these simple joys in years. Even with traditional dentures, many patients lack the stable bite necessary to eat some tougher foods. As your dentures slide around in your mouth, it can become painful to chew, and the loose prosthetic often traps food underneath it, creating a risk of bad breath or infections. Thankfully, Dr. Zirakian has a solution for you. If you are looking for false teeth that are more secure than traditional dentures but less expensive than cemented full arch restorations, semi permanent dentures could be the solution for you!
Why Is it Difficult To Eat With Traditional Dentures?
If traditional dentures are such a popular solution to complete tooth loss, why is it so difficult to eat with them?
Most problems eating with traditional dentures stem from their structure.
The upper denture has a big plate securing the prosthetic to your upper palate through suction. While this method is generally effective, it relies heavily on moisture in your mouth, which many older patients lack.
Additionally, the large plate can be uncomfortable and block key tastebuds! Without access to these tastebuds, you can’t fully taste the food and drinks you consume.
The lower denture relies on your lower jawbone for stability. While this is often initially successful, as your denture is custom-made to fit the contours of your mouth, the stability won’t last. Natural teeth have tooth roots that stimulate your jawbone when you chew. When missing these roots, your jawbone loses mass and volume!
Although traditional dentures do replace your teeth, they can’t replace roots, allowing your jawbone to shrink over time. As your jawbone diminishes and your denture stays the same, it is common to experience ill fit.
Ill-fitting dentures make chewing foods more difficult, as they leave painful sores in your mouth and cannot bite through tougher foods. Instability often forces patients to change their diets, potentially depriving them of important nutrients. Fortunately, Dr. Zirakian has a way to secure your denture, giving you back the ability to chew!
Implant-Retained Dentures: Introducing the Mini Implant
If you are tired of dealing with ill-fitting traditional dentures, it may be time to secure them with dental implants!
Dental implants are titanium posts Dr. Zirakian places in the jawbone to replace teeth. While they can support other restorations like crowns or bridges, these implants also support dentures! East Longmeadow Family Dental Center offers two types of dental implants. However, Dr. Zirakian often prefers mini dental implants for their many benefits!
Mini dental implants are less than 3 millimeters in diameter and consist of one solid piece of titanium. Unlike other implants, Dr. Zirakian places mini implants in just one appointment using a minimally invasive procedure! Their more gentle procedure allows your gums and bone to heal much faster, letting Dr. Zirakian place your final restoration much sooner than he could with other implants.
For a faster and more gentle procedure, trust Dr. Zirakian to restore your smile with mini-implant retained dentures!
Semi Permanent Dentures vs. Permanent Dentures
Using mini implants, Dr. Zirakian can retain a sleek and secure denture called a roundhouse bridge!
This denture has a beautiful horseshoe-like design, replacing the entire arch of your smile without needing a bulky denture base. Instead, these restorations sit right on top of the implants in your jawbone, providing a natural-looking appearance. However, despite their baseless design, these dentures are still super secure and offer an excellent biting force.
To restore your smile with a semi permanent roundhouse bridge, Dr. Zirakian uses an innovative method known as Fix-on-Six, which involves strategically placing 6-10 around your mouth. These implants act as anchors for your denture and artificial tooth roots, keeping your jawbone healthy.
Unlike traditional dentures, you never have to remove semi permanent dentures! These restorations are secure on your implants and never slip on your gums. With the stability of a semi permanent roundhouse bridge, you can eat all the foods you love without worrying about your denture falling out of your mouth.
While you never remove your denture, it is important to note that these restorations are only semi-permanent. At routine dental checkups, Dr. Zirakian will remove your semi permanent denture to perform a thorough exam and ensure the health of your implants and prosthetic!
Additionally, a semipermanent roundhouse bridge is less expensive than a permanent solution, like a non-removable roundhouse bridge. Because these dentures use fewer implants, they cost less than permanent restorations that require numerous implants. For a less expensive and more secure prosthetic, try semi-permanent dentures to replace your teeth!
Secure Your Smile With Semi-Permanent Dentures
At East Longmeadow Family Dental Center, we believe that everyone deserves a beautiful and functional smile!
Semi-permanent dentures provide a beautiful and stable smile that allows you to eat all the foods you love without fear of your restoration slipping out. If you have lost all your teeth, don’t suffer through the trials and tribulations of a traditional denture. Visit Dr. Zirakian to learn what he can do for your smile!
Schedule a free consultation at East Longmeadow Family Dental Center today.
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