Are Your Dentures ‘Fast And Fixed’?

Loose dentures can be uncomfortable, but there is a one-off solution to this awkward problem

If you currently have a set of full dentures, you will probably be all too aware of their limitations. Whilst they certainly offer an aesthetic improvement on a toothless smile, they are not without their drawbacks.

Although still widely used, there is a growing awareness that they are not the be all and end all solution to the problem of multiple tooth loss.

When we lose a lot of teeth like this, especially if it happens quite suddenly, there is sometimes an understandable rush to have new teeth fitted and dentures can seem the quickest option available.

Having a full set of dentures may relieve the immediate problem of what you would otherwise look like if you had no teeth, but wearers often soon find that wearing dentures isn’t as straightforward as they thought it might be. In addition to the fiddly cleaning that they require, some users find that they are less stable than they expected and that this instability can cause friction between the dentures and the gums, sometimes causing significant discomfort for the wearer.

The good news for patients in the Epsom area of Surrey is that there is another option available and we are pleased to offer it here at the Clocktower Dental, Implant & Facial Centre.

Dental implant solutions

Some of you will be aware of implants, and the thought might enter your head that it could be possible to replace each missing tooth with individual ones. This could be done, in theory, but it would be a very lengthy treatment period and also very expensive too. Just the thought of having to undergo multiple teeth implant placement procedures would probably deter most people from going down this particular route.

This doesn’t mean that dental implants don’t have a role to play though, and there is one particular variation of this treatment that is ideally suited to those with multiple tooth loss, including where full arch tooth loss has occurred.

Same day dental implants

This particular treatment is sometimes referred to using three different terms; ‘same day implants’, ‘teeth in a day’ and ‘fast and fixed’. These are all essentially the same treatment which offers patients the opportunity to have replacement teeth that not only look great but also offer a very high degree of strength and stability whilst at the same time, being straightforward to maintain. For the sake of this blog, we will refer to the treatment as ‘same day dental implants’.

The procedure

Whereas individual dental implant placement requires a recovery period of a few months whilst the implant fuses with the jawbone; a process known as ‘osseointegration’, this particular procedure offers a way to have functional new teeth in a shorter period of time. Instead of replacing each missing tooth individually, a few implants, usually four or six, but this varies according to needs, are placed at strategic places in the mouth. A fixed bridge of new teeth is then placed, using the implants to anchor them in place.

In this procedure, two implants are placed towards the rear of the mouth – these are specially designed and placed into the jaw at a particular angle, greatly increasing their security and stability. The fixed bridge is then attached to them. There is no need to wait for the implants to fully fuse with the bone and the fixed bridge can sometimes be attached on the same day that the implants are placed.

Eating with your new teeth

As readers of our blog will be aware, eating when you have had individual implants placed can be restrictive for a period of time following their placement. This is not quite the case with this particular procedure and, in theory anyway, you could eat what you wanted straight after having your new teeth placed. However, there are two things to consider here. Firstly, it is always a good idea to give your implants time to heal. This will not only be beneficial for them but also means that you will be able to eat in more comfort.

If you decide to eat something that requires a firm bite or a lot of chewing as soon as you have had your implants placed, you are likely to find it uncomfortable to do so. This is understandable as implant placement of any sort can cause some discomfort initially and some soreness is only to be expected. This can usually be managed with a regular painkiller but it also makes sense to be kind to yourself and eat softer foods at first. Our experienced implant dentist will advise what is practical and sensible in your own particular circumstance.

Bone loss issues

One issue that can cause dental implant placement to be more complicated is where the patient has suffered from bone loss in the jaw. This typically happens after a tooth has been lost for a while as the bone is reabsorbed by the body. For individual implant placement, this might mean a prior bone graft or sinus lift would be needed before an implant could be placed. Using the ‘same day dental implants’ procedure, this is often not necessary as the special implants used require less bone structure for a successful placement.

If you find yourself in a situation where you need to replace multiple missing teeth, don’t opt for dentures until you have spoken to us and arranged a consultation to discuss this excellent tooth replacement method. Book your initial consultation today at our Epsom dental clinic by calling the Clocktower Dental, Implant & Facial Centre on 01372 720136.