How to Transition from Dentures to Your New Dental Implants

December 9, 2021

Man smiling at dentist

Are you ready to say goodbye to your dentures? While they are a lifechanging tooth replacement option for people who are missing most of or all of their teeth, there are still plenty of cons. However, they aren’t the only option out there. More than three million Americans are already benefitting from dental implants. Continue reading to learn some of the many benefits of dental implants and what you should know before making the switch from dentures.

What Are the Benefits of Dental implants?

There are numerous reasons to transition from dentures to dental implants. Here are just a handful of the pros that you can expect to experience:

  • Additional Stability: If your dentures aren’t fitting as well as they should, you will notice that they lack stability. It is difficult to eat when they are slipping and sliding around in your mouth. Since dental implants are anchored into the jawbone, they provide stability like natural teeth.
  • No Eating Restrictions: You will still want to be careful when eating foods that are particularly hard and sticky, but you won’t have any eating restrictions once your implants heal. This is because they restore up to 90% of your natural chewing power.
  • Prevents Bone Loss: Dental implants are the only tooth replacement option out there that preserves the integrity of the jawbone. They replace the natural root of the tooth, therefore allowing the bone to be stimulated from regular chewing.
  • Long-Lasting: Dentures need to be replaced approximately every 7 to 10 years. Implants can last upwards of 30 years and even the rest of your life with proper maintenance.
  • Easy Maintenance: There is no need to stock up on adhesives or soak your teeth at night. You take care of your implants like you would with your natural teeth. Just brush, floss, and rinse!

3 Things to Know When Making the Switch

Making the adjustment to dental implants will take a little bit of time, but here are some tips that can help:

  • Get Some Rest: You will need to take some time for your mouth to heal after your dental implant surgery. Take off a couple days of work ahead of time, and be sure to get plenty of rest during this time.
  • Stick to Soft Foods: You won’t have any food restrictions once your implants have completely healed, but for now it is important that you are sticking to soft foods so that the healing process goes smoothly.
  • Adjust Your Dental Hygiene Routine: You won’t be needing your adhesives or soaking solutions anymore. Instead, you will need to adjust to an oral hygiene routine similar to one for natural teeth. You can find special toothbrushes made specifically for people who have dental implants.

It takes some time for you to get used to new dental implants, but it’s worth it for the benefits. Your smile will be good as new in no time!

About the Author

Dr. Dhavalkumar Rana is an experienced dentist who has been working in the field for nearly a decade. He earned his doctorate from the prestigious New York University and pursues continuing education courses on a routine basis to keep his knowledge and skills sharp. Currently, he is a proud member of the American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association, and Dallas County Dental Association. For more information on dental implants or to schedule an appointment at his office in Mesquite, visit his website or call (469) 399-7288.