Many people have worn their dentures for a while, and have found that, over this time, their dentures have become uncomfortable or even that they have lost some bone density in their jaw, without thinking about treatments that can help to reduce their discomfort.
Fortunately though, treatments exist such as all-on-four and bone grafting which can be useful for many people who have worn dentures. At High Dental Implants Melbourne, these treatments, as well as consultations with trained dentists to help you decide which treatment is most appropriate for you, are available.
All-on-four
All-on-four is a new and groundbreaking treatment which can give you a full mouth of stable new teeth. This treatment is named as such because it provides these new teeth with just four implants. Where these implants will be placed is mapped out through the use of technology such as CT scanners. The implants act as a base for the new, permanent dentures, which are then secured on top of the implanted screws.
One major advantage of this treatment is that it allows you to receive your new teeth and thus your new smile, potentially on the same day. This is usually done by having a temporary bridge fitted in the mouth to act as if they were real teeth (to which they look basically identical), whilst then having the permanent dentures implanted into the mouth approximately six months later.
Another advantage of this treatment for potentially more anxious patients is that there are sedation options available to help calm your nerves during the procedure. One such option is sleep dentistry, wherein an anaesthetist gives you sedative and pain relieving medication, making you more relaxed during the procedure. Other sedative options can be discussed in a consultation with your dentist prior to receiving all-on-four treatment.
Bone grafting
If you have been wearing dentures for a while, there is a good possibility that you will have experienced bone loss in your jaw. Bone loss can be quite serious for many people, as a certain amount of lost bone can cause the bone behind it to sink down and recede, which may cause the face to have an overall more sunken appearance.
However, bone loss does not exempt you from dental implants. In fact, the specific treatment of bone grafting can be used to rejuvenate your face, and improve its structure.
This treatment requires bone for a graft that will be inserted into your jaw. In most cases, the bone will be taken from your own body, often a part of your chin, or in some cases, the hip. This procedure is usually carried out as an operation in the hospital, and it is a very routine procedure. Depending on your body and mouth, it may also be viable for you to have this bone taken from another person, or potentially from an animal. Synthetic material is also an option in some cases.
Once the bone has been inserted into your mouth by your dentist, there will be a period of time where your mouth needs to heal. However, by the end of this period, the bone will have joined seamlessly with the nearby areas of the mouth, and thus will be as strong as the rest of your jaw ready for implants.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.