Are you tired of dealing with all the limitations of dentures? Teeth that fall out of place, challenges in eating or speaking, discomfort, and complicated maintenance are all reasons why people get sick of dentures and want to switch to dental implants. Plus, dentures can make you look much older, so people look for a more attractive appearance with dental implants.
If you feel like you’re ready to make the switch from dentures to dental implants, simply contact our office, and our Anchorage implant dentists will walk you through the transition. However, if you’re not sure if you’re ready, this article will help you plan your transition from dentures to dental implants.
Decide What You’re Looking for
Before you talk to an Anchorage implant dentist, it’s a good idea to decide what are your main goals in getting dental implants. Not all dental implant solutions are the same, and having a prioritized list of goals can help you and your implant dentist make decisions when looking at the different options.
Common goals for getting dental implants include:
- Having more secure teeth
- Being able to eat more foods
- Being able to speak clearly
- Getting a beautiful smile
- Rejuvenating your facial appearance
- Having a healthy bite
- Eliminating the need to take out teeth
If you’re tired of loose dentures, implant dentures will be more secure, but not all implant dentures are equally secure. The same is true for eating. All implant dentures will make eating easier, but with some you may have foods you can’t eat. However, almost all implant dentures will help you speak clearly.
The appearance of implant dentures ranges widely. Some don’t look any better than traditional dentures, but some can be extremely beautiful and natural-looking. Not all implant dentures will help you rejuvenate your facial appearance. Especially if you’ve been wearing dentures for a long time, only some implant dentures will help you look younger.
When we talk about a healthy bite, we’re referring to temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ / TMD), which some people develop when switching to dentures. Getting a healthy bite means working with an implant dentist who understands bite science, such as a neuromuscular dentist.
Many implant dentures are removable like traditional dentures, but they snap in or otherwise connect to implants to remain secure during the day. You get less food under them when eating–but you will still have to take them out at night. If fully fixed dentures matter to you–make it clear.
Understand Your Limitations
It’s a good idea to be aware of any limitations or problems that might affect your transition to dental implants, including:
- Oral health
- Overall health
- Medications
- Lifestyle factors
- Budget
- Timetable
Having good oral health is essential to dental implants. Just like natural teeth, dental implants are vulnerable to gum disease. If you currently have gum disease, we will need to treat it before you get dental implants. We will also need to assess the amount of bone you have to support dental implants. If you don’t have enough bone, we might recommend a bone graft procedure before you get your implants.
Dental implant surgery is relatively minor, but it’s still surgery. You need to be healthy enough for surgery. If we have doubts, we might ask you to get clearance from your doctor. Also, recent cancer treatments might impact your risk of complications.
Some medications may impact your dental implants, increasing your risk of implant failure or other complications. Some medications in this category include:
- Bisphosphonates
- Antidepressants
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Talk to your doctor about medications you are taking, and be prepared to tell your implant dentist about all medications you are taking, including over-the-counter medications and dietary supplements.
Lifestyle factors can impact your dental implants. Smoking is the biggest factor, but others, such as alcohol consumption, can also make a difference.
Take time to look at your budget so you can have a good sense of what you can afford to spend on dental implants. It’s worth it to consider dental financing for dental implants–they’re a good investment in your health and quality of life.
Finally, if you want to get dental implants in time for a specific event, let us know.
Schedule a Consultation at Excellence in Dentistry in Anchorage
Once you know what you’re looking for from dental implants and understand what limitations might impact your treatment, you’re ready to talk to an Anchorage implant dentist at Excellence in Dentistry They’ll help you understand how procedures like All-on-4 implant dentures can help you get great results even if you have limited bone–and might even save you money.
Please call (907) 349-0022 or use our online form to request an appointment at Excellence in Dentistry, serving the entire Anchorage community.