Your teeth are essential tools to help you speak clearly and chew completely. But when you’re missing even just one, it can make it much harder for the rest to do their job. Worse yet, the more you lose, the worse problems like speech difficulties and malnutrition can get. To prevent this, many people turn to dentures as a solution, but unfortunately, dentures come with their own set of problems.
Here’s why your false teeth may be creating more issues than you realize, and what you can do to permanently restore the appearance and function of your smile.
Denture Dangers
Whether you have a partial denture or a full, these prosthetics have long been the go-to for tooth replacement. Unfortunately, however, though they are generally more affordable than other options, they still leave a lot to be desired. For starters, they’re not permanent, which means they can sometimes slip while you’re wearing them, causing frustration and embarrassment. Worse still, they can also get food trapped underneath them, making them extremely uncomfortable. Painful denture sores can occur due to frequent use or improper fit, and cleaning them is not only time consuming, but can increase your risk of accidental and costly damage if you accidentally drop them.
Dentures and Malnutrition
In addition to the many drawbacks mentioned above, dentures also have one major caveat many patients don’t realize: full dentures only restore about 20 to 25 percent of your original biteforce, and even partial dentures can reduce your biteforce by 15 to 20 percent. This means that no matter which prosthetic you use, you won’t be able to chew many of the hard, crunchy, or tough-textured foods that are essential for good health, including fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, and a variety of proteins. Worse still, because the teeth in your dentures are plastic, even if you could securely chew tougher foods, they may not be able to properly tear into them in the first place.
Implant Dentures: The Smart Smile Solution
One of the best things about traditional dentures and partials (and a common reason many people choose them) is that they are more affordable up front than other options. But the truth is that when you take a closer look at the math, solutions like implant dentures are simply a better value. Implant dentures are securely attached to your jawbone via a series of four to six permanent dental implants. This means that your prosthetic will not slip and depending on which type you choose it won’t even need to be removed for cleaning. Plus, you won’t need to replace them every five to seven years like traditional dentures, and because they’re made with durable materials, they’re less likely to incur costly repairs.
They also provide a far greater biteforce, which means you can use them to enjoy a wider variety of foods, including everything you’d have to forgo with traditional dentures. This in turn improves your nutrition and protects you from malnourishment, all the while looking and feeling just like real teeth!
Remember, while dentures are an affordable way to replace multiple missing teeth, the truth is that in many cases, they’re not the best option. For the safest and most secure choice to restore the appearance and functionality of your smile, speak to your dentist about implant dentures today.
About Our Practice
At Harrisonburg Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. DeNicola and Dr. Khanna are the dynamic dental duo who are proud to restore smiles with the help of durable, permanent implant dentures. Don’t let missing teeth prevent you from eating a full, nutritious diet. Restore your oral and overall health with implant dentures. To learn more about implant dentures schedule an appointment on our website or call us today at 540-432-6616.