The Benefits of Denture Stabilization: A Comprehensive Guide

Statistics show that approximately 20% of adults over the age of 65 suffer from a condition known as complete edentulism. This means that they are missing all of their natural teeth. This can cause a variety of oral and overall health issues, including:

• Difficulty chewing, which leads to dietary issues
• Reduced self-esteem
• Jawbone deterioration/loss

For many years, one of the primary ways to treat complete edentulism has been with traditional dentures. While effective, there are a lot of disadvantages associated with this restoration. The primary complaint that people have is that dentures are known to slip and slide around in the mouth when eating, speaking, and laughing. In some cases, they may even fall out. However, there is a way to resolve this instability: denture stabilization. Here’s what you need to know about denture stabilization at Wolf Schwartz Dentistry.

What is Denture Stabilization?

Conventional dentures are designed to sit on top of your gums. While they may be somewhat stable at first, over time, your jawbone will deteriorate, which will allow them to move around in your mouth. Denture adhesives offer some help but typically have an unpleasant taste, may wear off, and can be hard to clean off of the dentures when you take them out. This is why many of our patients at Schwartz Dentistry have turned to denture stabilization. This allows patients to take advantage of the affordability of dentures and the stability of dental implants. The dental implants secure the dentures in place, as well as offering other benefits including supporting jawbone health and facial structure. There are two methods of denture stabilization:

• Bar-retained
• Ball-retained

Both options require the placement of 2 to 4 dental implants. Bar-retained dentures have a bar that clips onto the dental implants. Ball-retained dentures are also known as stud attachment dentures. The implants have attachments shaped like balls, and the denture has attachments shaped like sockets, so they fit together. Stabilized dentures may be permanent or removable. If they are permanent, only the dentist will be able to remove them during exams and cleanings. If they are removable, you will need to care for them like conventional dentures. This means you will need to remove them before bed for cleaning and to allow your gums to rest.

Benefits of Denture Stabilization

There are several benefits of denture stabilization, including:

Improves comfort

Conventional dentures slip and slide, causing pressure sores and friction sores on the gums. Denture stabilization inhibits this movement, which prevents the sores.

Increases confidence

Conventional dentures are an effective option for replacing missing teeth– but slipping and sliding can significantly impact confidence. Denture stabilization secures dentures in place, which means you don’t have to worry about them moving around or falling out when you’re socializing.

Improves oral health

The pressure and friction sores caused by conventional dentures can lead to infection, which can impact your oral and overall health. Plus, without the stimulation from tooth roots, your jawbon e will begin to deteriorate, which increases your risk of gum disease and other problems. Denture stabilization requires 2 to 4 dental implants, which stimulate the jawbone like tooth roots, keeping your mouth healthy.

Increases durability

If you bite down too hard on something, conventional dentures may break. However, denture stabilization increases the bite force that your dentures can handle, which means your risk of damage is reduced. Since permanent dentures don’t have to be removed for cleaning, they tend to last longer than conventional dentures.

Do You Want to Stabilize Your Dentures?

If you have been wearing conventional dentures for some time or you are going to need dentures in the near future, you might be considering denture stabilization. This allows you to take advantage of the stability of dental implants combined with the affordability of conventional dentures. In addition to being more affordable than dental implants, denture stabilization offers several benefits:

• Improved comfort
• Improved oral health
• Increased durability
• Increased confidence

If you want to learn more about denture stabilization, schedule your consultation with Dr. Schwartz at Wolf Schwartz Dentistry today. We are located at 37 SE 5th Street, Suite 200 in Boca Raton. Our office hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Denture Stabilization FAQs

Denture stabilization offers a variety of benefits over traditional dentures. However, Dr. Schwartz and the team at Wolf Schwartz Dentistry understand that you may have questions and concerns. We are happy to address those with you at any time. Below are some of the most common questions we get about this topic.

What is denture stabilization and how does it work?

Denture stabilization allows patients to take advantage of the affordability of traditional dentures and the stability of dental implants. It requires the placement of 2 to 4 implants, which will secure the denture in place, preventing it from sliding around in the mouth.

Are there any risks or potential side effects associated with denture stabilization?

There are a few risks associated with dental implants, including:

• Implant rejection/failure
• Sinus damage
• Nerve damage

What is the cost of denture stabilization and is it covered by insurance?

The cost of denture stabilization depends on the number of implants needed. However, for 2 implants and dentures, you can expect to spend around $6,000. Some dental insurance plans will cover a portion of the cost, while others will not. Our office staff will be happy to contact your provider to determine coverage.

How long does denture stabilization take and how often do I need to have it redone?

Dental implants typically take several months to a year from start to finish. This is because your jawbone needs time to fuse with the implants. However, in most cases, once the implants are placed, you can be sent home with a temporary denture to wear while healing takes place. Therefore, you will not be without teeth. The implants should last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance. However, the attachments and the prosthetic may need to be replaced after some time- especially if it is removable- the attachments will wear out.