For people who’ve lost all their upper or lower teeth and opt for a full arch denture, it’s typically because a denture is the least expensive choice. When a denture is first made, the fit is fairly secure since it is designed to conform to the gum ridge that exists at the time. This is the jaw bone arch that once held natural tooth roots.
Without the presence of tooth roots, however, the bone begins to ‘resorb,’ or shrink in height and width. This is actually accelerated by the pressure of wearing dentures. For those who sleep in their denture, resorption becomes a 24/7 process. This is why dentures that fit well when they were first made begin to slip, causing uncomfortable rubbing or sore spots on the gums. Relines may help at first, but eventually, so much resorption will have occurred that there will be such a small ridge for the denture to ‘hold onto.’
This is why so many adults are selecting Dental Implants for tooth replacement in the first place. Dental Implants recreate the presence of tooth roots in the jaw bone, halting (or greatly minimizing) bone loss. They provide a dependable biting and chewing stability and are designed to last a lifetime.
Discuss the long-term benefits of your tooth replacement options with Dr. Barbat in a private consultation room. She’ll be happy to answer your questions so you can decide what will work best for your individual needs. Call (586) 739-2155 for this no-charge visit.
