Traditions are a big part of Thanksgiving for most people. Perhaps yours looks like many of ours: spending time with loved ones, feasting on a big dinner (after a lot of prep time for some of us!), taking lots of photos, and watching the game. Without real teeth or implant-supported teeth, however, you may have to compromise on the traditions you hold close:
- You might have to pass up some foods, chew them on one side to avoid discomfort, or cut them up so your dentures can handle them without falling out.
- You might close your mouth in photos so no one sees gaps or false teeth.
- You might hold back laughing too hard with your loved ones so your dentures don’t fly out.
- You might not yell for your team during the football game to keep your dentures in place.
Missing teeth? Bad dentures? Downtown Denver Dental can help you enjoy every Thanksgiving dinner – and every meal and gathering – to the fullest. Discover a few benefits of implant-supported teeth below, then call 303-529-6493 to see how we can help you.
1. Your Teeth Will Stay in Place When You Eat
Because implants are placed in your bone, they are able to keep the replacement teeth attached to them firmly in place. You’ll be able to bite into foods like pecans when you indulge in pecan pie on Thanksgiving. Apples, corn, and meat will no longer be off limits. And you won’t have to cut up all your food into tiny pieces.
2. Your Teeth Will Look & Feel Real
As good as modern dentistry is, it can be hard for conventional dentures to look like real teeth. Part of the reason is that they sit on top of your gums, unlike real teeth, which are connected to roots under your gums that are embedded in your bone.
Implants work just like tooth roots. Because they are under your gums, they are hidden from sight. The crowns, bridges, or dentures we attach to them are all people will see. Your dentist here will take extra measures to ensure your new teeth look as lifelike as possible. If you still have teeth remaining, we’ll match your replacement teeth to your other teeth. If you’re replacing all your teeth, we’ll work with you to get the color and shape of teeth you want.
3. Your Jawbone & Mouth Will Remain Healthy
Once you lose a tooth, you lose the root that’s attached to it. When you bite and chew, that root helps keep the bone surrounding it strong. Without it, your bone starts to deteriorate, just like bone atrophies when you have an injury somewhere else in your body.
Because an implant is a replacement root, it helps stimulate your bone just like real tooth roots do. When you chew with implants, that force is transferred to your bone. Traditional dentures, on the other hand, transfer chewing pressure to your gums. That’s why they can lead to bone loss, and why they can be uncomfortable sometimes.
Because implants fill in gaps, the surrounding teeth won’t be able to shift into the empty spaces. Shifting teeth can create bite problems and additional bone and tooth loss. Dental implants also help lower your risk of gum disease and cavities.
4. You’ll Look Younger
Humans can’t help but associate missing teeth with old age. If you’re missing teeth, you look older than you should. Bad teeth and bad dentures can create the same effect. If you wear loose or bad dentures too long, you’ll also lose supporting bone (as we just discussed), which makes your lower face sag over time. And of course, no teeth at all creates a sunken-in look.
Filling your lower face with implant-supported teeth will help fight premature aging and prevent that bone loss. With a full set of teeth, you’ll feel proud to smile in your Thanksgiving family photos.
5. You’ll Have a Long-Term Solution to Tooth Loss
One of the best benefits of tooth implants is longevity. Because they are made from titanium and physically bond with your bone, they are strong and durable. Many people keep their implants for decades, if not their whole life. It’s possible you’ll need us to replace your teeth attached to the implants after several years, but the implants themselves should stay in place.
Next Thanksgiving, you won’t have to pick your foods based on how easy they are to eat. Put what you want on the plate like everyone else! And enjoy your time with those you love without worrying about your teeth. You might never even think about them except for being grateful you can eat, talk, and smile like normal again. Or when you get a compliment on your smile!
To discuss implant-supported teeth in Denver with one of our dentists, call Downtown Denver Dental at 303-529-6493 or .
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones!