If you’re tired of having a denture that moves when you chew and feels like it might fall out, you’re not alone. Only half of denture wearers are satisfied with the fit of their upper dentures, and only 24% are satisfied with the fit of their lower dentures. As a Winston-Salem dentist focused on restoring function and appearance through full-arch replacements, Dr. Matthew Keider wants you to know about denture alternatives.
Dr. Keider’s practice offers more stable solutions, including snap-in dentures and roundhouse bridges.
Why It Might Be Time To Consider Denture Alternatives
For patients missing all their teeth, denture alternatives can make a substantial difference in day-to-day life, especially if they’re uncomfortable with traditional options. Conventional dentures rely on suction or adhesives and can shift throughout the day. Patients are especially dissatisfied with lower dentures and report a dramatic loss of chewing ability compared with their natural teeth.
Adhesives offer some help, but they often wear out quickly, especially on lower dentures. Moreover, denture glue can add a messy, metallic taste to your eating experience. These downsides can get in the way of smiling, talking, and eating a good meal with a complete set of teeth. If you’re ready to overcome the drawbacks of conventional false teeth, explore your options for denture alternatives.
Denture Alternatives Overview
At Dr. Keider’s practice, we offer a wide range of denture alternatives, all powered by dental implants. These options provide a more secure way to replace missing teeth and come in removable and non-removable forms.
Dental implants are small titanium posts that hold replacement teeth in place, adding significant stability and bite force to full-arch replacements. This added support helps you chew more comfortably and with more confidence.
Another benefit is that none of Dr. Keider’s denture alternatives cover the upper palate. Leaving the roof of your mouth uncovered improves your sense of taste. It also helps you feel the texture and temperature of food more naturally, making meals more enjoyable.
Snap-In Dentures
The simplest upgrade from a conventional denture is a snap-in denture. Also called an implant overdenture, this option is the most accessible denture alternative.
Its design is quite similar to a traditional denture, except it anchors to dental implants instead of adhesives. The snap-in denture has O-ring housings underneath and snaps onto the implants. Dr. Keider may position 2 conventional dental implants in the jaw. If he uses mini dental implants, he may place 6 in the upper ridge or 4 in the lower ridge to secure the denture.
If you already have a traditional denture and you like its design, you might not need to start from scratch. To help reduce costs, Dr. Keider may be able to convert your existing denture into a snap-in denture, sometimes on the same day he places the implants. However, this depends on the condition of the original denture.
To maintain your snap-in dentures, you’ll remove the false teeth each morning and night to clean your mouth and the set. Then, you can simply replace them right after.
Roundhouse Bridges
Roundhouse bridges are full-arch restorations that replace all missing teeth in an arch. They often feel closer to your old teeth because they take up no extra space in your mouth.
These bridges are made of a durable zirconia and come in two different levels of permanence: semi-removable and fixed.
Semi-Removable Roundhouse Bridge
The semi-removable roundhouse bridge, also known as Fix-on-Six®, snaps onto 6 to 10 mini implants. It offers more chewing power than a snap-in denture. It can be designed with a small amount of pink porcelain to support the lips underneath. You’ll never take it out at home. Instead, Dr. Keider removes it periodically for cleaning and cements it back in place.
Fixed Roundhouse Bridge
A fixed, or permanent, roundhouse bridge consists of natural zirconia and stays in place at all times. Neither Dr. Keider nor you can remove it. It permanently sits on 4 conventional implants or 10 to 12 mini implants.
While it is the most expensive option, it is also the most stable and looks and functions the most like natural teeth.
Learn More About Denture Alternatives at an Affordable Consultation
If you want to learn more about denture alternatives, Dr. Keider can help you understand which options make sense when he sees you for a personalized, affordable consultation. It includes a thorough assessment of your oral health, including a CBCT scan. You’ll then receive a customized treatment plan with a detailed cost breakdown and financing options.
With over 30 years of restorative dentistry experience, Dr. Keider is passionate about using dentistry to improve his patients’ lives. If you’re struggling with loose dentures, you have better alternatives. Schedule your visit today to explore those options in detail.
