Everything smells delicious. The food is one of the best parts of attending cookouts and family reunions in the summer.
Whether you’re cooking steak or chicken, whether you are savoring some buttery corn on the cob. The desserts are great as well. Everything … as long as you can bite and chew comfortably.

If you are missing teeth or have loose-fitting dentures, eating isn’t always simple. That’s why we want you to take some time to learn about dental implants. Keep reading, then call 859-474-7830 to schedule a consultation at Edgewood Dental Care in Edgewood, KY.

Understand The Potential Problems

When you have standard dentures, they rest outside of your gums. Now, at first, they probably fit pretty snuggly in your mouth. With a little adhesive, you might be able to eat a variety of foods.

But you still probably won’t be able to eat everything that you want. Multiple studies have shown that people who have dentures can bite with (at best) about one-fourth of the force as someone who has all their teeth. That means biting into certain foods (e.g. apples, corn on the cob, nuts) or chewing other foods (e.g. chicken, steak) can be quite difficult. Many patients have told us they have given up eating many foods because it’s become too challenging.
Over time, you will continue losing bone in your jaw even with dentures. This is because they don’t replace the roots of your lost teeth. Your roots do two important things. First, they anchor your teeth to your jaw. Second, they stimulate your jawbone, causing it to make new bone tissue. This new tissue growth is needed to prevent bone loss.
As you lose bone, this changes the shape of your mouth. That affects the fit of your dentures, and it makes them more likely to slide around.

Create A Solid Foundation

Dental implants were designed to address the problems mentioned above. Root form implants are implanted directly in your jawbone, just like your roots were. Because they are made of titanium, your jawbone will bond directly with the implants. This holds them securely in place.

Your implants can be used to support dentures or a dental bridge. That creates a direct connection from your jawbone to your replacement teeth. As a result, you can bite will nearly as much power as you could when you had a mouth full of healthy teeth. (Also, a quick aside, that a single implant can support a dental crown if you missing one tooth.)
With your implants in position, your jaw also gets the stimulation it needs. That prevents the kind of bone loss that can lead to replacing or refitting dentures every few years to try to keep them somewhat functional.

By getting implant-supported dentures or an implant-supported bridge, you can keep your jaw healthy and strong. It also means you can keep your new teeth in your mouth without adhesives.

Build Something To Last

With proper care, dental implants can last the rest of your life. That can make a big difference in your quality of life … and the quality of your meals. When you know you can bite and chew without problems, you are free to eat whatever you would like.

To find out if implants could help you, plan a visit with one of our doctors at Edgewood Dental Care. Fill out our online form or call 859-474-7830 today.