You have options when facing the prospect of significant tooth loss and replacement. Typically, for severe cases of tooth loss that involve most or all of the teeth on a single dental ridge, a partial or full denture is the most conservative option. As if an incomplete smile and a diminished ability to eat, chew, and speak were not worrisome enough, however, there are profound and long-reaching consequences of tooth loss that must be taken into consideration when pondering treatment. The loss of a tooth’s root affects more than your smile’s appearance; it can affect the health of your jaw, which naturally begins to deteriorate (atrophy) when it loses one or more of the roots embedded in it. In time, this deterioration can lead to further tooth loss, as well as the shrunken-jaw appearance of facial collapse. By securing your dentures to strategically placed dental implants, however, you can help stave off the continuing damage of tooth loss, helping restore and maintain your smile’s beauty and function in the more immediate future. Encinitas periodontist, Dr. Ann Kania, explores the various advantages that implant-supported dentures have over their traditional counter part.

The Benefits of Implant-Supported Dentures

Crafted to address major tooth loss, traditional denture teeth rest on a gum-colored base that is custom-fitted to your ridge and holds the appropriate number of artificial teeth to complete your smile. This appliance sits on your alveolar ridge.  As your jawbone changes shape over time, however, this custom-designed piece may lose the grip that it was designed for, resulting in the need for continuous remeasuring, readjusting, and sometimes redesigning of your dental prosthetic. Dental implants, which are titanium rods that are surgically inserted into your jawbone, provide the stability that a natural root provides a healthy tooth. By replacing the root in your jawbone, dental implants also help prevent the deterioration that causes traditional dentures to lose their fit in the first place. With a more secure anchor, your dentures will also provide improved comfort and function.

Are Implant-Supported Dentures Right for You?

Unfortunately, not everyone qualifies for dental implants. The status of your periodontal health and the density of your jawbone are but a few factors that can determine your eligibility for the surgical procedure. As an experienced periodontist, Dr. Kania can help you find out whether your smile’s foundation is healthy enough to support dental implants. Contact Dr. Kania at our Encinitas periodontal care office by calling (706) 642-0711. We serve patients from Encinitas, San Diego, Rancho Santa Fe, Del Mar, La Costa, and the neighboring communities.