In the past, many people thought of dentures as an inconvenient necessity; as a means of replacing missing teeth, they were certainly adequate, but in terms of function, stability, and appearance, they were far from ideal. At best, dentures would somewhat mimic the missing teeth aesthetically and fit reasonably well; at worst, they would slip and shift and be uncomfortable, if not downright painful, to wear.
Fortunately, the dentures of the past bear little resemblance to today’s cosmetically appealing, implant-supported dentures. By attaching a set of custom-crafted, natural-looking dentures to durable, remarkably stable dental implants, Houston cosmetic dentist Charles E. Sutherland can fully restore health and beauty to the mouths of patients who are missing most or all of their natural teeth. Patients can eat, speak, laugh, and smile with renewed ease and confidence, knowing that their new teeth look completely natural and will never shift out of place.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are, simply stated, the most stable, long-term solution to missing teeth available. Composed of pure titanium, dental implants replicate the root structure of a missing tooth and provide unrivalled support for dental restorations, including partial and full dentures. Because the titanium posts are surgically embedded in the jaw, where they are accepted by the body as part of its natural anatomy, they hold the dentures firmly in place, restoring the control that one has with healthy, natural teeth. Foods that would be forbidden for conventional denture wearers can be eaten with confidence.
With proper care, the dental implant posts can last for decades; for most patients, they last a lifetime. For existing denture wearers who are tired of being self-conscious about their restorations, not to mention the hassle of having to deal with denture adhesives and cleaning agents, implant-supported dentures may represent the most important and liberating investment they’ve ever made.
Benefits of Implant-supported Dentures
For patients of our cosmetic dentistry practice in Houston, dental implants offer a multitude of benefits. For one, they allow dentures to be attached below the gumline, unlike traditional dentures that rest on the gums. This results in exceptional stability as well as an entirely natural appearance. Even more importantly, dental implants help to prevent the degradation of the gums and jawbone that result in the “hollowed-out” appearance most readily associated with traditional denture wearers. The body interprets missing teeth as a signal that the tissues that supported the teeth no longer serve any function, leading them eventually to fall into disrepair. When dental implants are embedded in the jaw, the body recognizes that the gums and jawbone are once again necessary to the function of the mouth, and the erosion process is halted.
For patients whose jawbones have already begun to degrade, a bone grafting procedure may be necessary prior to the placement of dental implants at our Houston office.
Contact Charles E. Sutherland, DDS, PA Today
For further information about implant-supported dentures, or to schedule a consultation with Houston cosmetic dentist Charles E. Sutherland, we urge you to contact our downtown practice today.
