For years, people who wear dentures have traditionally avoided certain foods for fear of breaking their dentures, or suffering the embarrassment of having them fall out in public.
However, with the burgeoning popularity of dental implants as an alternative to dentures, more and more people are now able to once again enjoy the foods that once struck them down with terror. Dental implants provide a range of benefits that can’t be gained through the use of dentures – one of which is the ability to eat normal foods.
This is largely down to the form which a dental implant takes. A dental implant consists of a small titanium rod that is inserted directly into the patient’s gum by an implant dentist. The rod fuses itself onto the patient’s jawbone, providing strength, and a prosthetic dental crown is cemented onto the rod, giving a natural appearance.
Before dental implants, a denture wearer might avoid such foods as:
- Raw fruit and vegetables, such as carrots, apples or potatoes
- Meats which require chewing, such as steaks
- Foods which contain seeds, such as sesame buns, which can become lodged under denture plates
- Sticky treats, such as pastries or toffees.
However, with dental implants none of these foods are taboo as the full function of the patient’s bite is restored; biting, chewing becomes commonplace once again, and the patient need have little fear of breaking a tooth, or having teeth slip out, or even the discomfort of trapped foodstuff under the denture plate.
This is because dental implants reinforce the surrounding teeth by restoring the tooth hierarchy, preventing the remaining teeth from shifting position during biting or chewing. Where shifting occurs, the patient’s bite can become misaligned and so becomes weaker. This in turn can cause teeth to come under greater pressure than before, which can lead to tooth damage.
With dental implants, however, the teeth’s structure is maintained and restored to almost full strength, helping prevent teeth shifting and so preserves the patient’s biting alignment and bite strength. Plus, dental implants look entirely natural and are virtually indistinguishable from normal, healthy teeth.
And there’ll be no need to reach for any dental adhesive after every meal; dental implants can ensure you enjoy the foods you want to eat, without the associated worry that comes with dentures.
If you are considering dental implants in the Highland Park area, contact the office of Dr. Brad Crump to schedule your professional consultation.