Human beings have been wearing dentures for thousands of years, but modern technology is still working to advance and perfect them. Among these new options for patients are implant dentures, which are permanently attached to your jaw like real teeth. Although implant dentures are more comfortable and versatile than traditional, removable dentures, many patients are hesitant to commit to the surgical installation they require.

When compared with the lifetime of benefits and comfort that implants can offer, however, it becomes clear that the initial inconvenience of their installation is well worth the investment:

Preserving Your Jawbone

Your teeth are anchored in your upper and lower jawbones, where they are given both structural support and access to vital nutrients. When you lose enough teeth, your jawbones no longer serve a useful purpose and gradually deteriorate. This loss of bone density can lead to a number of health and aesthetic issues like gum disease and a recessed chin. Unlike standard dentures, implant dentures stimulate your jaw bones like real teeth, prompting them to remain strong and healthy for decades. 

Providing Natural Lip Support

If you are missing upper teeth and already wear traditional dentures, you may have noticed a change in your appearance. Dentures tend to settle into a non-ideal position in your mouth as they grow older. This forces you to hold them in place with your upper lip, reducing the distance between your mouth and nose and creating a hollow, aged look. Implants, meanwhile, can be perfectly sculpted to match your old bite, and their permanent anchorage in your jaw means your face can relax and assume its natural expression. 

Increasing Chewing Ability

Another major downside of wearing dentures is that you are limited in what you can eat. Anything too chewy can knock your dentures loose or even break them, and most dentists recommend a carefully moderated liquid diet to begin the adjustment. This can be especially difficult for new patients, but implant dentures offer a more palatable solution. Because they have strong anchors keeping them in place, implants can chew and bite with roughly the same efficiency as real teeth. 

Improving Taste and Temperature Sensitivity

Dentures also interfere with your ability to taste and sense temperatures inside your mouth, which can range from inconvenient to outright dangerous. The lack of nerves inside your teeth and the insulating effects of denture materials make it hard to distinguish a warm cup of coffee from a scalding one, and any dentures that cover your upper palate are likely to significantly reduce your sense of taste. By choosing implant dentures, you can improve the sensitivity of your mouth while still enjoying all of your favorite foods and drinks.

To learn more, contact a company like Bellingham Denture Clinic with any questions you have.

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