Most Rutherford NJ residents are wholly unaware of the consequences of choosing removable dentures (partial or full) as the solution to missing teeth. Over time, these teeth replacement appliances can possibly not only damage what remaining natural teeth a patient has, they can also allow the underlying jawbone to atrophy and waste away. It’s not only for the typically better function, aesthetics and comfort afforded by implant-supported prostheses that dentists recommend them to patients in need of new teeth to Rutherford NJ. It’s also because they tend to benefit a patient’s oral health in both the short and long term.

In this four-part article series, a dental implants professional in New Jersey shall be explaining to us what patients need to know about their teeth replacement options and how the wrong choice could cost them money and several precious years of their life.

Understanding Bone Loss

"One of the key differences between dental implants and removable dentures is that the latter only replaces the visible portions of the missing teeth, whereas implants replace the entire missing tooth structure; root AND crown," explains a dental implants dentist in New Jersey. "While dentures enable Rutherford residents to eat, speak and smile with a degree of comfort, at least initially, it’s what happens beneath the gums that’s problematic."

"The tooth roots play an integral role in jawbone health. Through the transmission of the eating forces into the jaw, they help to keep this hard tissue stimulated and healthy. Muscle bulk is maintained by exercise and bone tissue is very similar in nature. When it’s left without functional stimulation, it can atrophy and waste away," report the dentists who give patients new teeth in Rutherford NJ.

Since removable dentures do not replace the tooth roots, atrophy is a major health problem faced by denture-wearers and over time, they can face one or more of the following challenges:

Denture Refitting

As the jawbone shrinks, traditional dentures that once fitted snugly in the mouth can become progressively uncomfortable and loose. They start shifting around during eating and speaking, which is not only socially embarrassing; it’s also uncomfortable and can cause the gums to become inflamed and irritated. This is why dentures typically need to be refitted every few years and also why patients find themselves needing to buy anesthetic ointments. It can be a repeat problem and repeat expense that residents in need of new teeth in Rutherford NJ just have to contend with.

The Ultimate Need for Bone Grafting

"The biggest problem, however, is that eventually the jawbone will have atrophied to such an extent that treatment success of any kind, be it with dental implants or otherwise, becomes highly doubtful," explains a dental implants dentist in New Jersey. "We can perform bone grafting to augment bone volume in the jaw and encourage the growth of new, healthy tissue... but this is an invasive procedure and requires many months of healing before Rutherford residents can get new teeth. It can also be expensive. This is why we recommend that patients choose dental implants instead of dentures right from the get go. Dental implants function similar to natural teeth and they help to prevent atrophy of the jawbone by restoring functional stimulation."

Stay Tuned for Part 2

To read more about what you really need to know about removable dentures and the host of challenges they tend to come with, stay tuned for the second installment of this four-part article series on getting new teeth in Rutherford NJ.