Dentures
The first thing to know about dentures is that you shouldn’t expect them to work like regular teeth. They really are two hunks of plastic with tooth-shaped pieces of acrylic or porcelain glued into them. If your healthy, natural teeth function like driving a well-tuned sports car, even the best dentures function like riding a tricycle.
That being said, a custom-fitted pair of complete dentures can serve as a great tool for people who no longer have the use of their natural teeth. It is best to think of them as a tool that takes some learning to use.
An upper complete denture is typically fairly easy for a patient to get accustomed to. The upper prosthesis (or “plate” as some people call it) has the advantage of being supported by the entire palate (roof of the mouth). The denture should have good suction for retention, and it is normally fairly comfortable.
A lower denture is a completely different animal. It relies on a relatively thin, narrow area of bone and gums for its support. The lower denture usually does not have very good suction. The movement of the tongue also serves to reduce the stability of the device. For this reason, we often recommend the addition of at least two implants beneath a lower denture to increase its retention and stability.
More to come….
-dr z
I just want to prevent a just talking visit. I am 67 years old, and only wear my upper denture, and it seems to work OK. After all these years my lower gums are hard as rocks. I would just like to know, approximately what it would cost to have implants done just on the upper. I am not shopping around. You are the only one I am contacting. Just an Idea of how much would help. I am sure you don’t take Medicare/Humana Gold, but I would like to know, in case I would have to borrow. Upper four, or two. I don’t know the words, but you put in a Plate that doesn’t have to come out. please work with me on this..??