Swapping Regular Dentures for Implant Dentures
- Perfect for a row of missing upper teeth
- An upper denture with no plate coverage
- Alternative to conventional maxillary dentures
For our patients who currently wear dentures, we know how tired you might be of your current prosthetic.
But the prospect of palateless dentures that don’t rely on suction provides a glimmer of hope for a potential solution that helps you avoid the everyday challenges of regular dentures.
Traditional dentures, whilst serving their purpose to restore a natural-looking (ish) smile, do come with their fair share of drawbacks.
Traditional dentures are on their way out; their bulky design and coverage of the entire palate often cause our patients discomfort, hindered taste, limited chewing capabilities and difficulties with speech. And it’s this experience with regular dentures that constantly reminds patients of their presence and the limitations they pose to daily life.
Full mouth dentures require the roof of the mouth (the palate) to be covered by an acrylic base, and whilst this design choice helps with stability, it, on the other hand, compromises taste sensations and feels uncomfortable. Patients never forget they have a foreign object in the mouth and are often self-conscious of any accidents caused by denture movement.
The better option – palateless dentures
A better alternative is palateless dentures, a revolutionary alternative that addresses all the key issues denture wearers face. The main benefit is that the absence of a palate in these dentures allows for an unobstructed experience, allowing patients to enjoy the full flavour of food without interfering with a prosthetic palate. Imagine never having to worry about your dentures slipping out of place again and being able to enjoy food without limits!
Removing the palate in denture design improves speech for denture wearers, who might struggle to articulate certain sounds or words. In this instance, palateless dentures provide a more comfortable alternative that does not require suction or adhesives to stay in place.
How do they work
Wondering, without suction, how do palateless dentures stay in place? Well, they rely on dental implants to keep them secure. Typically secured by three or four implants per jaw, palateless dentures can be permanently fixed by a dentist or removable (snap-in dentures).
Explore them below:
The psychological impact
The psychological impact of wearing dentures should not be underestimated. Denture wearers often feel self-conscious about their dentures, especially in social scenarios. And whilst the design of palateless dentures improves the comfort and function of your fake teeth, they also provide a more aesthetically pleasing solution. Patients who switch to palateless dentures feel more confident knowing their dentures are discreet, will never fall out and closely mimic the appearance of natural teeth better.
Adapting to palateless dentures
Palateless dentures are also better for your oral hygiene care and routine. For example, traditional dentures featuring a full palate are often more challenging to clean thoroughly, increasing the risk of developing oral health issues like gum disease. Palateless dentures simplify the cleaning process, encouraging better oral hygiene practices and reducing the likelihood of future complications.
