DENTURES

Dentures (removable variety) have been one of the most common treatment modality to replace few or all teeth since ages. However, technology and newer improved materials have given a number of options to make newer improved dentures that last a much longer time in terms of function, biocompatibility with tissues as well as esthetics.

However, for dentures that need to be removed in the night compulsorily, any improvement in materials cannot be compared to the comfort given by Fixed Dentures.

Due to the emergence of dental implants, people at any age can enjoy good food and their routine activities which may be otherwise hampered by a denture that moves in the mouth or that has to be taken out for cleaning, sleeping etc. The entire set of teeth can be replaced by dentures that can be fixed over dental implants. An x-ray image is taken to confirm the adequate dimensions of the jaw bone.

If sufficient bone is available, implants are first placed in the jaw bone under local anesthesia. After a gap of 3-4 months (in which the bone formation takes place around the implants), measurements are taken to fix a denture onto these implants.

Advantages of Fixed Dentures over Removable ones

• Chewing capacity of patient increases upto 95% with fixed dentures as compared to only a 30% with removable dentures
• Routine activities such as talking, chewing, laughing, sneezing, coughing, yawning can be resumed without the risk or inhibition of the denture falling off
• Patient leads a much healthier lifestyle with consumption of better food such as high-fiber and nutritious diet.
• No further loss of bone or undue aged appearance due to laxity in facial muscles, development of wrinkles etc. which happens with bone loss as implants arrest bone loss and the subsequent loss of surrounding tissues and facial structures.
• Similar maintenance as that of natural teeth.