How to Make a Smooth Transition from Dentures to Dental Implants

April 4, 2022

Filed under: Uncategorized — Brandi @ 11:22 pm
mature woman in dental chair looking in mirror

Nothing against dentures, they’ve delivered as your dentist promised years ago outside of a few issues along the way. But you’ve been keeping tabs on your options, and the time has come for an upgrade. You’ve become aware of dental implants and the significant positive impact they can have on your quality of life. Before you transition from dentures, keep reading for some information from your implant dentist in Salt Lake City that will help you prepare.

Why Would Someone Look to Switch from Dentures?

Dentures are a traditional solution for missing teeth and remain the preferred option for some people. They are affordable, easy to use, and require a lot less recovery time than a patient who just had a dental implant procedure.

However, they are not a permanent solution. They can slip, there can be issues with the adhesive, taking them out can hurt, and you might consider cleaning them to be a hassle. For one or more of these reasons, some patients decide to seek dental implants.

What Are the Pros of Choosing Dental Implants?

When you are considering dental implants as a tooth-replacement option, remember that they:

  • Have a natural appearance: Dental implants are created to look and function just like natural teeth. Other people will probably never know the difference if you don’t tell them.
  • Preserve bone mass: When you get dental implants, it stimulates your jawbone and will help you retain your facial structure.
  • Aren’t very expensive in the long run: While you can expect a high up-front cost relative to other options, dental implants will save you money in the years that follow because all you need to do is brush and floss as you would for natural teeth.
  • Offer durability and stability: Dental implants fuse to your jawbone, so the stability is unmatched. You won’t have to worry about them moving around in your mouth, and you can eat all the foods you enjoyed with natural teeth.

What Is Key to Know About the Move to Dental Implants?

The first thing to consider is that you may potentially need a bone graft if you do not have sufficient bone mass in your jaw. Especially if you lost teeth and did not promptly seek a replacement, your jawbone naturally loses density. If you do move forward with the bone graft, a recovery period will be required before you can have the implant procedure.

Some patients ask if their dentures can be used with implants. It’s possible in some cases but not advisable. However, implant-supported dentures could be an option for you.

If you think the time has come to transition from dentures to dental implants, it’s definitely worth investigating. Talk to your dentist in Salt Lake City and ask any questions you’ve been wondering about, plus they can evaluate if the bone mass in your jaw is sufficient for the implant procedure. The first step is to schedule a consultation.

About the Author

Dr. Rob Wood earned his dental doctorate from Temple University and continued his studies at the University of Texas to become a board-certified periodontist. A member of the American Dental Association, Dr. Wood is a married father of four, and they love spending time together on outdoor adventures. If you are looking to upgrade to dental implants, he is a local expert to replace one tooth or all of them and even offers All-on-4 implant dentures. Schedule a consultation on his website or by calling (801) 322-5032.