If you wear traditional dentures, you are likely familiar with the daily struggles: messy adhesives, slippage while speaking, and avoiding hard or crunchy foods. Over time, even dentures that once fit perfectly can begin to feel loose and uncomfortable.
The good news is that you don’t have to settle for a slipping smile. At River Ridge Oral & Maxillofacial Surgical Center, we specialize in modern implant-retained dentures in Sioux Falls, a long-lasting solution designed to lock your dentures securely in place so you can eat, speak, and laugh with total confidence.
Here is why traditional dentures become loose over time and how securing them with dental implants can restore your comfort and quality of life.
Why Do Dentures Become Loose Over Time?
It isn’t your imagination, traditional dentures really do get looser as the years go by.
When you lose natural teeth, your jawbone no longer receives the natural stimulation it needs from tooth roots. As a result, the jawbone gradually shrinks and resorbs over time. Because the underlying bone structure changes shape, your dentures lose their snug fit, leading to:
- Slipping and Clicking: Dentures sliding around when talking or laughing.
- Painful Gum Irritation: Sore spots caused by plastic rubbing against shifting gums.
- Dietary Restrictions: Difficulty chewing healthy, tough, or crunchy foods like apples, nuts, and meats.
- Messy Adhesives: Relying on pastes and powders that taste bad and wear off halfway through the day.
Snap-In Dentures vs. Traditional Dentures
Unlike traditional dentures that rest solely on top of your gums, implant-retained dentures (often called snap-in dentures) are anchored directly to your jawbone using strategically placed dental implants.
How It Works
Implant Placement: Your oral surgeon places as few as 2 to 4 dental implants into your jawbone.
Secure Attachment: Specialized attachments are fitted onto the implants that snap securely into matching receivers built right into your custom denture.
Rock-Solid Stability: Your denture clicks firmly into place, staying completely stationary throughout your daily activities. You can easily snap them out at night for routine cleaning.
The Life-Changing Benefits of Implant-Retained Dentures
Upgrading to implant-secured dentures offers transformative advantages over traditional full dentures:
1. They Prevent Future Bone Loss
Dental implants act like natural tooth roots, stimulating the jawbone every time you chew. This stimulation stops the bone loss process in its tracks, helping preserve your facial structure and preventing the “sunken” appearance associated with long-term denture wear.
2. Restored Chewing Power
Because your denture is anchored to solid bone rather than resting on soft gums, your bite strength increases dramatically. You can enjoy your favorite foods again without worrying about your teeth shifting out of place.
3. No More Adhesives or Sore Spots
With snap-in dentures, messy creams and pastes become a thing of the past. Because the denture doesn’t slide, you won’t suffer from painful friction sores on your gums.
4. High, Predictable Success
Our surgeons, Dr. Brent J. Henriksen and Dr. Trevor B. Holleman, utilize precise 3D Cone-Beam CT imaging to plan every implant placement. With specialized surgical expertise, our practice maintains a success rate of 96% or greater for dental implants.
Comfort Every Step of the Way
We understand that the thought of surgical procedures can feel intimidating, especially for senior patients. At River Ridge, your comfort is our priority. We offer advanced IV Sedation options so you can relax through your procedure with peace of mind. We also utilize long-acting, non-narcotic pain relief like EXPAREL at the surgical site to ensure your post-operative recovery is smooth and comfortable.
Take the Next Step Toward a Confident Smile
You don’t have to live with the daily frustration of loose, uncomfortable dentures. Investing in dental implants is an investment in your health, nutrition, and daily peace of mind.
Explore your options on our Dental Implants page, or contact River Ridge Oral & Maxillofacial Surgical Center today at 605-331-5059 to schedule your personalized consultation in Sioux Falls.