Advice for the Transition from Dentures to Dental Implants

When you first got your dentures, it took a while for you to become accustomed to them. But over time, you’ve learned that they can slip out of place if you aren’t careful and that you need to avoid certain foods that are difficult to chew. But now, you’ve decided to replace your missing teeth with dental implants!

While implants involve some invasive treatment at first, the good news is that the transition from dentures to implants in your daily life should be fairly easy. To make this change go a little more smoothly, just follow this helpful advice!

Understand the Implant Process

Compared to some other dental procedures, traditional dental implants typically require a longer recovery period. After all, your dentist must surgically insert the posts into the jawbone directly. Then, during the several months afterward, the jawbone experiences new growth around the posts, just as it does with real teeth. After this process (called osseointegration) is done, the prosthetic teeth can then be permanently attached.

On the other hand, if you choose to get All-on-X implants, your teeth may be secured on the same day as the implant placement, and your entire denture can be supported by anywhere between four and eight implants along a single arch. However, it is still a good idea to take things slowly at first.

Ease into Using Your New Teeth

Even if you receive All-on-X implants, you’ll need to start out gently when you get your replacement teeth. Softer foods are a good idea for at least a few days after placement; then, you can steadily reintroduce normal foods back into your diet. For normal dental implants, you’ll eat soft foods for a longer period of time to allow your gums and jawbone to heal and bond with the posts.

Regardless of the type of implants you get, make sure to be careful with your tongue position while you eat so that you don’t accidentally bite down on it and hurt yourself. In any case, your dentist should provide specific instructions, giving you a clear idea of what you can expect moving forward.

Why Dental Implants Are Worth  the Effort

For those who have worn traditional dentures for years, the idea of having to adjust to implants can seem unnecessary, which means they decide to stick with dentures. However, implants most closely resemble and feel like real teeth. As a result, it typically takes very little time to “relearn” how to bite and chew with implants. The benefits of implants far outweigh the temporary adjustment required of you at the beginning.

In the end, going from dentures to implants should be an easier process than going from natural teeth to dentures. Throughout this transition, your dentist will be able to provide advice to help you enjoy your new teeth to the fullest!

About the Practice

Not many dental practices in the country can say that their dentist has achieved Mastership in the Academy of General Dentistry, but at Boyles General Dentistry, we have two! Dr. Franklin Boyles and Dr. Stephen Boyles have undergone years of advanced training in complex treatments like dental implants. If you are interested in transitioning from dentures to implants, contact our Odessa practice to schedule an appointment online or by calling us at 432-366-0896.