Eating With Traditional Dentures Versus Implant-Supported Dentures

If you wear traditional dentures, meaning the ones that are not secured by dental implants, you likely had to adjust your plate to accommodate your new set of teeth. Dietary restrictions have become a common and accepted drawback of dentures. However, what patients may not understand is that they may be putting their overall health at risk by avoiding certain foods.

Why It’s A Big Deal

It is common for denture wearers to skip foods that are hard or chewy. This may include steak, bread crusts, raisins, nuts, whole apples, raw celery and carrots. Unfortunately, pushing off fibrous fruits and vegetables from your plate can be detrimental to your health, especially if you are replacing these foods with softer, easier-to-chew carbohydrates. In the long run, a diet rich in sugary carbs and low in fiber can lead to obesity and diabetes. Therefore, while you may be at peace with opting out of certain foods with your new dentures, it can be a big deal to your long-term health and well being.

What Is the Solution?

With the advancement of implant dentistry, you don’t have to give up your dentures to gain the smile security and dietary freedom you want and need. You can choose to secure your dentures with dental implants. Most dentures can be supported using 2 to 4 dental implants, which can either be bar-retained or ball-retained according to your personal preference. This “overdenture” model offers remarkable advantages for patients in terms of functional confidence and overall quality of life. With implanted-supported dentures, you can enjoy the foods you love and consume the foods your body needs to stay healthy.

The Added Bonus of Implanted-Supported Dentures

While it may not be the most obvious benefit for those who choose implant-supported dentures, a major bonus is the prevention of bone loss. With implants, your smile has artificial tooth roots that can stimulate your jawbone in a natural way. This action is what keeps the jawbone from atrophy. Traditional denture wearers, however, may encounter premature facial aging due to bone loss over time.

For more information on how you can secure your dentures with dental implants, call Dr. Wayne Suway. The process is easy, and the reward is great.