Switching from Dentures to Dental Implants

Dr. Kendall Skinner
Tue, 06 Feb 2024 21:01:14 +0000
Dental implants

Are you tired of dealing with the limitations of dentures? Teeth that slip out of place, difficulty eating or speaking, ongoing discomfort, and complicated daily maintenance are common reasons many people grow frustrated with dentures and begin exploring dental implants. Dentures can also accelerate facial aging, prompting many patients to seek a more {{{{link [...]

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Are you tired of dealing with the limitations of dentures? Teeth that slip out of place, difficulty eating or speaking, ongoing discomfort, and complicated daily maintenance are common reasons many people grow frustrated with dentures and begin exploring dental implants. Dentures can also accelerate facial aging, prompting many patients to seek a more stable, natural-looking solution.

If you feel ready to make the switch from dentures to dental implants, simply contact our office and our Anchorage implant dentists will guide you through the transition. If you’re not quite sure yet, this article will help you understand your options and plan a smooth, informed move from dentures to implant-supported teeth.

Decide What You’re Looking For

Before meeting with an Anchorage implant dentist, it helps to clarify your goals. Not all dental implant solutions are the same, and understanding what matters most to you allows for better treatment planning and more satisfying results.

Common Goals When Transitioning From Dentures

Common goals for patients transitioning from dentures to dental implants include:

Having more secure teeth

Being able to eat a wider range of foods

Speaking clearly and confidently

Achieving a natural-looking, attractive smile

Rejuvenating facial appearance

Supporting a healthy bite and jaw function

Eliminating the need to remove teeth daily

Stability, Eating, and Speech Considerations

If loose dentures are your main concern, implant-supported dentures can provide more stability. However, not all implant dentures offer the same level of security. Some options remain removable, while others—such a All-on-4 or All-on-X implant dentures—are fixed in place and do not need to be taken out.

While most implant dentures improve chewing ability, only certain solutions allow patients to comfortably enjoy firmer or more varied foods. Speech is also improved with most implant-supported options, but stability plays an important role in consistency and comfort.

Appearance and Facial Rejuvenation

Some implant dentures look similar to traditional dentures, while others—particularly fixed full-arch solutions like All-on-4 and All-on-X—are designed to look highly natural and restore facial support. For patients who have worn dentures for many years, these full-arch implant solutions may be better suited to address sunken facial features and age-related changes.

Bite Health and Jaw Function

When we refer to a healthy bite, we’re also considering temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ/TMD), which can develop or worsen with poorly fitting dentures. Working with an implant dentist who understands bite balance and jaw function, including neuromuscular principles, can be important for long-term comfort.

Fixed vs Removable Implant Dentures

Many implant dentures remain removable and snap onto implants for daytime stability. While these reduce movement and food buildup, they still need to be removed at night. If having fully fixed teeth is important to you, this should be discussed early, as options like All-on-4 and All-on-X are specifically designed to provide a non-removable solution.

Understand Your Limitations

It’s important to understand any factors that could affect your transition from dentures to dental implants. A thorough evaluation allows for safer planning and more predictable outcomes.

Oral Health

Healthy gums are essential for dental implants. Like natural teeth, implants can be affected by gum disease. If gum disease is present, it must be treated before implant placement. Bone levels are also evaluated, as adequate bone is needed to support implants.

One advantage of All-on-4 and All-on-X dental implants is that they can often be planned to work even when bone loss is present, potentially reducing the need for bone grafting.

Overall Health

Although implant surgery is considered minor, it is still a surgical procedure. Patients must be healthy enough to undergo treatment, and in some cases, medical clearance may be required. Recent cancer treatments or certain systemic conditions may influence timing or treatment approach.

Medications

Some medications can affect implant healing or long-term success, including:

Bisphosphonates

Certain antidepressants

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Be sure to discuss all medications with both your physician and implant dentist, including over-the-counter medications and dietary supplements.

Lifestyle Factors

Lifestyle habits play a significant role in implant success. Smoking is one of the most impactful risk factors for implant complications. Alcohol consumption, oral hygiene routines, and overall health habits can also influence healing and long-term stability.

Budget and Timing

Dental implants are an investment in long-term oral health and quality of life. Reviewing your budget in advance and exploring dental financing options can help make treatment more accessible.

If you are working toward a specific event or timeline, such as travel or a major life milestone, be sure to mention this during your consultation so treatment can be planned accordingly.

Schedule an Implant Consultation in Anchorage

Once you understand your goals and any limitations that may affect treatment, the next step is a consultation with an Anchorage implant dentist. During this visit, you’ll learn which options are best suited for your needs and whether advanced solutions like All-on-4 or All-on-X implant dentures can help you achieve stable, natural-looking results—even if bone loss or long-term denture use is a concern.

To learn more about transitioning from dentures to dental implants, please call (907) 349-0022 to request an appointment with our Anchorage dentists, proudly serving patients throughout Alaska.

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