Your Arnold Dentist Explains How Dentures Stay in Place

When you are missing multiple teeth many aspects of your life are affected. Your nutrition may suffer because you’re not able to properly chew your food, making digestion a challenge. Your self-esteem may suffer because you feel self-conscious about talking or smiling in front of other people. Your oral health suffers when you begin to experience bone or additional tooth loss due to missing teeth. Dentures are one of the options for replacing missing teeth, but how do they stay in place? Your Arnold dentist explains more about dentures.

What is a Denture?

A denture is a removable appliance typically made of acrylic with prosthetic teeth, designed to replace an entire arch of teeth. The secret to the success of dentures is a perfect fit. Traditional dentures stay in place through suction to your underlying gum tissue and bone. A dental adhesive can sometimes be used if there’s not enough support from your jawbone.

Your dentures can easily be removed for cleaning and sleeping, and you should go into your dentist periodically to have them checked and ensure a proper fit.

While dentures immediately restore form and function to your smile, there is a learning curve at first as you’re getting used to your dentures. Eating and talking can take some getting used to, and some patients have trouble with slippage while they’re chewing at first. You may need to visit your dentist for some alignment appointments.

Implant Supported Dentures

For those patients who desire a more secure fit from their dentures, dental implants can be used to support them. Two implants are placed on your upper arch and two on your lower arch. After the appropriate healing time your implants will be strong enough for your dentures to “snap” into them, making movement or slippage a thing of the past!

Implant supported dentures can still be removed for regular cleaning and you should still have regular dental check ups to ensure the health and success of your implants. Many patients enjoy the freedom that implant supported dentures offer.

At JL Dental, Dr. Jonathon Mears and Dr. Laura Mears have been helping patients restore missing teeth with dentures in Arnold, MO for many years now. If implant supported dentures are your choice, these highly skilled dentists are both able to surgically place and restore dental implants so there is no reason for you to go anywhere else for treatment. If you’re missing multiple teeth, contact the team at JL Dental to learn which options might be available for you.