Healthy Smile: If I Get One Implant Will It Hold All of My Teeth

by Jeffrey Gross, DDS, FAGD of The Healthy Smile

The discussion which led to this question revolved around a denture. My new patient had worn dentures for years and struggled with fit and comfort. Unfortunately for many denture wearers, this is a day to day reality. Every dentist’s nightmare occurs when a patient walks in with a bag of dentures made by a variety of practitioners. They are looking for the next dentist to take a crack at the problem. Anyone who is in this situation should hesitate to accept the challenge. Their denture set may be the next one in the bag.

Fortunately, today we have a tremendous help for denture wearers. Dental implants are an integral part of my practice and have been so for over a quarter of a century. A denture without implants has to cover as much gum as is possible. Whenever there are little bumps or indentations in the jaw bone under the gum are utilized to create stability. Learning to wear a denture is a process. Balancing and controlling the denture using the muscles of the mouth and cheek is a challenge. Some patients are better than others, and some have more of a struggle. Individual anatomy of the mouth, your perseverance will determine your skill level. Yes, it is a skill and is acquirable with time and hard work.

Chewing and functioning with a denture is different than with natural teeth. Dentures move around the mouth. The movement creates a further impediment to chewing and smiling. Anyone who ever practiced a skill or a sport knows that the teaching of the activity or motion occurs under ideal conditions. Playing with real situations is different, and many times impossible for some. Many people can hit a golf ball off a level mat. That same person in a golf course with uneven ground will struggle to hit the ball.

Creating a level playing field is the goal of dental implants for a denture wearer. Dental implants give the denture something to which to anchor. Now that we have stability chewing and other functions get easier. Soreness and irritation all go down.

Let’s turn to our question of the day. How many implants are needed to create a stable situation which I have just described? Placing a denture on a single implant will result in a wobbly denture. In general, two implants will afford some level of stability. Three is better, and four or more is usually the best. The rule of “the more, the better” makes sense for dentures. However, often we are limited by lack of bone or other factors to create the ideal or perfect situation. Everyone is different, and every person is different. General rules are just that. They are broad, and everyone needs a custom solution.

If you have struggled with your dentures or have a set that is more than 5-7 years old, maybe it is time to have them evaluated. Improvements in dental care are always coming, and you never know whether or not you can take advantage of these changes unless you look. Call 440-892-1810 and set up a visit for us to answer your questions and concerns. I look forward to meeting you.

Jeffrey Gross, DDS, FAGD is an Ohio licensed general dentist and is on the staff of Case Western Reserve School of Dental Medicine.

The Healthy Smile • 27239 Wolf Road, Bay Village, OH 44140 • 440-892-1810 • www.jeffreygrossdds.com