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Healthy teeth are something younger people often take for granted, but for many older adults, it’s not as simple. As we age, our gums begin to recess, and plaque can build up on our teeth, wearing down the enamel and creating a greater risk of infection. With weakening gums and teeth, it’s no surprise that around 9% of adults aged 65-69 experience total tooth loss. Traditional dentures can help, but they often fall short of expectations. At the Centre for Smile Designs, Dr. Hopkins offers mini implant dentures as a more effective, long-term solution to tooth loss. Our patients appreciate the improved stability and comfort these advanced dentures provide.
The Problem With Traditional Dentures
Full-arch restorations can restore teeth after total tooth loss, ensuring you can smile, talk, and eat with confidence again. Traditional dentures, however, often fall short of these promises. These dentures rely on suction and gum support to stay in place and often lead patients to use messy denture glue. Unfortunately, adhesives don’t always work, resulting in embarrassing mishaps like dentures slipping out of your mouth or frustrating moments when food gets trapped beneath the denture.
Another issue with traditional dentures is that they replace the missing crowns but not the tooth roots. Natural tooth roots stimulate the jawbone during chewing and biting, which helps maintain bone strength and prevents resorption. Bone resorption occurs when the bone loses density and shape, leading to deterioration. If left untreated, this bone loss can cause excessive wrinkling, sunken cheeks, and functional issues.
While traditional dentures may restore your smile, they often lack security. Because these dentures don’t replace your tooth roots, your jawbone will shrink. To adjust to the progressive bone loss, your dentures must be periodically relined to improve their fit. Without proper relining, your dentures can shift, causing gum irritation when you speak or eat. With implant dentures, however, stability is no longer an issue!
Understanding How We Use Mini Implants for Dentures
Mini dental implants are titanium posts less than 3 millimeters wide, roughly the width of a toothpick.
These sleek implants create a stable foundation for supporting crowns, bridges, or dentures. Dr. Hopkins places the implants by drilling a small pilot hole through the gums and inserting the implant into the bone. Amazingly, these implants are immediately stable, so Dr. Hopkins can place a denture onto your implants the same day. With mini implants, you won’t have to go without teeth, even if your permanent dentures from the lab aren’t ready yet. Traditional implants, on the other hand, provide a much different experience.
Measuring approximately 5 millimeters in diameter, traditional dental implants are significantly thicker. This larger size requires a more invasive procedure involving incisions in the gums to expose the underlying bone, followed by stitches to close the gum tissue. As a result, the healing process for traditional implants typically takes around 3-4 months and requires multiple appointments due to their multi-part construction. In contrast, mini implants are one-piece devices that Dr. Hopkins can place in a single appointment with a much less invasive procedure!
Types of Mini Implant Dentures
Snap-On Denture
A snap-on denture consists of artificial acrylic teeth mounted on a pink base that “snaps” onto 4-8 mini implants. Unlike traditional dentures, snap-on dentures do not cover the upper palate, allowing you to fully taste your favorite foods and beverages without any interference. This design not only enhances your sense of taste but also provides excellent stability. Additionally, snap-on dentures offer the convenience of easy removal for cleaning, all while remaining securely in place during daily activities.
Semi-Removable Roundhouse Bridge
Semi-removable roundhouse bridges are full-arch zirconia restorations that connect to mini implants. The beautiful zirconia roundhouse bridge, combined with durable mini implants, substantially enhances your smile and improves your bite function.
For this option, Dr. Hopkins utilizes the Fix-On-Six® method, strategically positioning six to ten mini implants throughout your jaw to distribute bite and chewing forces evenly. The Fix-On-Six system offers a modern solution with superior stability and aesthetic appeal.
These dentures are also semi-removable, meaning that only Dr. Hopkins will remove them at your routine dental visit.
Non-Removable Roundhouse Bridge
The non-removable roundhouse bridge is permanently cemented to mini dental implants, creating a stable and natural-looking smile. Dr. Hopkins will place 10-12 mini implants to support this zirconia bridge. Because these dentures don’t require a pink base, they sit flush with your gums for a seamless appearance.
This option also offers maximum stability, allowing you to eat whatever you like without worrying about movement. A permanent roundhouse denture feels just like having your natural teeth back!
Learn More About Mini Implant Dentures!
If you want beautiful and stable teeth, traditional dentures just aren’t as effective as modern options. In particular, mini implant dentures provide the stability you need without sacrificing the quality or beauty of your smile. Ready to discover how our advanced denture solutions can meet your needs? Contact the Centre for Smile Designs today to schedule a free implant consultation with Dr. Hopkins.
Are you looking for innovative denture solutions in Gulfport, MS? Look no further than the Centre for Smile Designs. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to learn more!
