If you are looking for denture alternative options, start with what you want to change about your current dentures. They may move when you eat or speak, feel less secure than they once did, or require daily removal when you would prefer teeth that stay in place. Each concern points to a different problem, which means the right alternative will not look the same for everyone.
For Linda, the problem was movement. At 68, she had spent years dealing with loose-fitting dentures that slipped and shifted. She wanted greater stability, but that did not mean she had to give up removable dentures altogether. After evaluating her needs, Dr. Shatkin determined that mini dental implants could give her denture a secure connection while preserving the removable design she liked.
Dental implants gave Linda a way to keep removable teeth without continuing to live with the movement that bothered her. Other patients may want to leave removable dentures behind. Both are common reasons to explore denture alternative options, but they lead to very different treatments.
Why Linda Started Looking at Denture Alternative Options
People explore denture alternative options for different reasons. Some are comfortable wearing removable teeth but want a more reliable denture that stays firmly in place. Others are tired of taking their teeth out and want an option that stays in their mouth. Knowing what you want to change about your current denture is an important part of choosing how to replace it.
If movement is the main problem, mini dental implants can provide the denture with secure anchoring points. In some cases, we can retrofit an existing denture to snap onto the implants. We can also make new implant dentures that work the same way. You still remove it for cleaning, but when you wear it, the denture connects directly to the implants instead of relying on suction or the gums to keep it in place.
For people who do not want to remove their teeth each day, we also offer roundhouse bridges supported by mini dental implants. Dr. Shatkin developed Fix-on-Six® as a semi-removable option, typically using roughly 6 or more mini implants to support a full arch of replacement teeth. The bridge stays in your mouth during daily life, while our dental team can remove it when needed for professional cleaning and maintenance.
A fixed roundhouse bridge is typically supported by 10 to 12 mini implants and cemented in place. The bridge is designed to remain fixed, including during routine dental care.
Linda came to us with a very specific problem: her dentures moved. Dr. Shatkin used mini dental implants to give her removable denture the stability she wanted while keeping a style of restoration that worked for her.
Making Linda’s New Denture in Buffalo, NY
Placing Linda’s mini dental implants addressed the movement that had frustrated her for years. The next step was creating the denture that would connect to them. For this part of her treatment, we didn’t have to coordinate with a dental laboratory in another city or state. Our Buffalo dental lab is located right across the street from our practice on Kensington Avenue, where our team makes our dental restorations locally.
Having our dentists and lab technicians so close to one another gives us greater control over the details that are important when making a denture. We can communicate tooth shape, color, shading, fit, and other adjustments directly. If a closer look is needed, our ceramic technicians can be involved without sending the denture back and forth to an outside laboratory.
Linda’s denture still needed time to be made, and she returned to our office so we could fit it and make the necessary adjustments. Having the lab nearby can shorten some of the waiting and coordination involved in that process, but speed isn’t the only advantage. A denture has to look right, fit correctly, and connect properly to the implants supporting it.
Once Linda’s implant-retained denture was fitted, she noticed the difference she had originally come to us to address. Her denture stayed securely in place while she ate and spoke, and she was pleased with the appearance of her new smile.
What Would You Change About Your Dentures?
Linda knew exactly what she was tired of: her dentures moved. Mini dental implants solved that problem while still letting her wear removable teeth.
Your answer may be different. You may like your denture but wish it stayed in place. You may be ready for teeth that you don’t remove at all. Like many patients, though, you may not know which of those possibilities fits what you have in mind. But you don’t need to choose the treatment before you come see us. Tell us what isn’t working. Our dentists can evaluate your teeth, gums, and bone. Then, we can discuss denture alternative options that address the changes you actually want to make.
If you’re ready to explore denture alternative options, contact Aesthetic Associates Centre in Buffalo to book a free consultation.
