Permanent dentures are a dental prosthetic that can replace numerous missing teeth and restore your oral function more completely than you may have ever thought possible. Unlike the dentures worn by past generations, permanent dentures are securely fixed in your mouth, making them indistinguishable from natural teeth.
If you are considering your denture options, contact Dr. Young’s office today. He can explain more about implant-supported dentures and help you choose the right type of prosthetic for your needs.
What are permanent dentures?
Dentures are larger prosthetics, designed for patients who are missing many or all of their teeth. Full dentures will replace all of a patient’s upper or lower teeth (or both). Partial dentures replace a large section of the dental arch. They are an incredibly common oral health need, since approximately 32.6 million Americans currently wear dentures.
Like removable dentures, permanent dentures are available as both full and partial restorations. In contrast to older dentures, however, permanent dentures are attached to dental implants, which take the place of your natural tooth roots.
What happens when you receive permanent dentures?
Before you can receive dental implants, Dr. Young will assess your candidacy and evaluate the structure of your jawbone. In some cases, jawbone recession can affect your eligibility for implants. In other instances, careful placement can maximize existing bone tissue and provide a stable base for the dentures.
After precise treatment planning using our cone beam scanner, Dr. Young will surgically place your implants in your jaw. The number of implants needed will depend on the size and type of your prosthetic. A full denture will necessarily require more implants than a partial.
Following surgery, you should expect several weeks of healing. During this period, you will wear a temporary removable denture so you can still eat, though with some restrictions. After you have healed, you will return to the office, where Dr. Young will attach your new permanent dentures.
As with all of our dental restorations, we take great care when designing dentures, and we work with an experienced lab. Thanks to our precision and high-quality materials, your denture will look very lifelike and will harmonize with your natural teeth.
The Benefits of Permanent Dentures
Whether you need dentures for the first time or you are considering switching to permanent dentures, there are several important reasons to choose an implant supported prosthetic.
- Natural appearance: While traditional dentures rely on a plastic base and adhesive to stay in place, implant-supported dentures sit right along your gums. No one will be able to tell that you are wearing a prosthetic.
- Greater stability and functionality: Because it is not removable, an implant-supported denture will never slip in your mouth. You won’t have to worry about changing your diet or damaging your denture with certain foods.
- Easy to care for: For the most part, you will maintain your denture just like you maintain your natural teeth – with regular brushing, flossing, and dental visits. You may need to do a bit of extra hygiene, such as flossing underneath your denture or using a waterpik to clean the area around your gums.
- Durability: When you practice the dental hygiene steps mentioned above, dental implants can last decades. In contrast, the average removable denture only lasts 5 to 10 years, and you will likely require periodic relining and adjustments.
- Increased protection for your oral health: In addition to supporting your denture, dental implants prevent jawbone recession. Just like your biological tooth roots, they stimulate bone tissue regeneration and keep your jawbone from shrinking. In turn, this will protect your remaining teeth and your appearance. It will also help you avoid denture adjustments to accommodate a changing jaw structure.
Find Out If Implant-Supported Dentures Are Right for You
Learn why permanent dentures are revolutionizing the way we think about tooth loss and replacement. Contact our office today to book a consultation and to find out if you are a candidate for dental implants. You can email us on our website or call us at 337-237-6453. Dr. Young and his team provide state-of-the-art dental prosthetics to patients in Lafayette, Delcambre, and the nearby communities.
