My Dentures Are Starting to Hurt — Are Dental Implants Right for Me?

Even a single missing tooth can affect your speech, nutrition, and self-esteem, which can negatively impact your professional and personal life. There have never been more high-quality tooth replacement options available, but the right fit is one of the most important factors in getting the most out of dental restorations like dentures or dental implants.

Dr. Ramin Mahallati and our dental team at the Center for Implant and Esthetic Dentistry in Beverly Hills, California, offer dental implants and general and cosmetic dentistry services.

When to consider dental implants

Dental implants can be used to support a set of dentures and secure them in place. They can also be used to secure individual crowns. Think of an implant as a prosthetic root – it anchors the tooth in your gums and helps to maintain healthy bone density. 

Bone loss is a side effect of tooth loss, so once a tooth is extracted or falls out, you lose bone density, which can increase the risk of gum disease and other oral health issues. 

Dentures are designed to fit securely and comfortably, but getting a perfect fit can be difficult. Even if your dentures fit well at one point, they can stretch and fit less securely over time, causing friction, slipping, and other issues that can affect your oral health and make it difficult for you to eat and speak clearly.

If your dentures feel uncomfortable, painful, or won’t stay in place, it’s time to consider upgrading to dental implants. Dentures can be an excellent first step in replacing missing teeth, and dental implants are a more long-term solution. 

How dental implants work

To qualify for implants, you must be in good health and have enough bone density to support the implants. The implant fuses with the surrounding bone tissue and prevents further bone loss. Once the implant heals, the crowns or dentures are attached. 

Implant supported overdentures (dentures that are secured with dental implants) are a good choice for full or partial tooth loss. They secure the dentures in place and mitigate many of the problems of traditional dentures, like stretching and slippage. Nothing can take the place of natural teeth, but implants can be the next best thing.

You can also choose to transition away from dentures altogether and replace your missing teeth with regular dental implants. If you have any issues with your current restorations or have been living with tooth loss for years, we can help.

For more information about how dental implants work and whether they’re a good option to replace your dentures, contact the Center for Implant & Esthetic Dentistry today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Ramin at our office in Beverly Hills.