For people who are missing multiple teeth, there are teeth replacement options available. Some of them use dental implants to secure them into place. Here are two teeth replacement options that are sometimes used with dental implants:
Dentures
Dentures are often used with dental implants. Traditional dentures used the natural suction of the mouth to help hold them in place. In addition, dental adhesive is sometimes used to help stabilize the appliances. However, dental implants can also be used to secure a denture.
Dentures are false teeth that are connected to a base plate. The base plate of a denture is made of acrylic resin or metal, and the false teeth of the denture are made of porcelain or resin. Dentures are generally used to replace multiple teeth in the mouth of a patient. A full denture is used to replace a full palate of teeth. A partial denture is used to replace multiple teeth that are missing from the same palate. Dentures that are secured in place using dental implants are sometimes called implant-supported dentures or overdentures.
Overdentures include a connecting mechanism on the underside of the dentures. This mechanism allows the denture to attach to remaining natural teeth or dental implants. The attachment can be released or connected by the patient. Thus, the dentures can still be easily removed for cleaning.
The connection of the dentures to the dental implants keeps the dentures from slipping or moving about. The dental implants are drilled into the jawbone of the patient and are secured in the bone just as a natural tooth root would be. Thus, the implants provide stable support for the overdentures.
Dental Bridges
Bridges can also be used to replace multiple teeth. A bridge consists of false teeth that are suspended in the middle of the appliance with a dental crown on each end of the bridge for stabilization. The crowns and false teeth are connected to a bridge base.
The dental crowns can be fitted over dental implants to stabilize the dental bridge and ensure that it remains securely in position. Each dental implant must be positioned at the end of the gap left by the missing teeth. Thus, the implants border the gap as the dental crowns border the false teeth that will fill the gap.
Unlike dentures, dental bridges are not removable. They're considered permanent fixtures in the mouth of the patient.
For more information, contact Milner Dentistry or a similar location.
