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Why We Might Recommend a Bite Guard for Implant Dentures

woman smiling and eating

When you first get your implant dentures, we might recommend that you wear a bite guard to protect them. This may cause you some concern about the durability of your implant dentures, but don’t worry. There are many reasons why will recommend this at first.

We’re Just Being Careful

Implant dentures are a big investment, and when it comes to something like this, it’s better safe than sorry. The truth is that more than 99% of implant dentures are going to be fine without a bite guard. But for that fraction of a percent, we just want to be sure. You’ll be happier, too, knowing that your dentures will be protected.

Your Bite Already Destroyed One Set of Teeth

If your bad bite was responsible for the destruction of your natural teeth, it can do the same for your implant dentures. Although implant dentures are stronger than natural teeth, they don’t have as much cushion built into them (more on this later), so they’re potentially vulnerable to the same destructive forces as your natural teeth.

A bite guard can help your dentures avoid potentially destructive forces that can chip or crack them.

It Takes Time for Your Bite to Adjust

But, wait, you may be asking, won’t these dentures give me a balanced bite? Yes, they will. And once your bite is adjusted your dentures won’t need a bite guard. But it takes time, and at first you will be dealing with the bad habits your bite has acquired previously.

The transition period is the most dangerous for your implant dentures, especially if you had previously had missing teeth, broken teeth, or worn teeth. During that time, you’re likely to experience a few contacts that are harder than you’d like.

Less Cushion in Implant Dentures

Dental implants and the dentures they support are very similar to your natural teeth, but not exactly. The biggest difference is how much cushion is built into them. Natural teeth have several degrees of cushion built into them. The interior of your tooth is squishy, and the exterior is designed to break and flex around the interior. And although your natural teeth are securely held in the jawbone, they’re not directly in your teeth. Instead, they’re secured with a stretchy ligament that allows them to move just enough when you’re biting down.

Implant dentures don’t have this flexibility. Typically, they’re a rigid connection from tooth to base to implant. Your body will adapt to this rigid connection and learn how to handle it, but for a little while you might experience some abrupt contacts.

Your New Beautiful Smile Is Waiting

Although a bite guard might be recommended in the short term, soon your implant dentures will feel just like your own teeth. You’ll come to think of them as that and be surprised if anyone refers to them as something else.

And these new implant dentures may last 20 or 30 years. If you would like to learn more about implant dentures in Tulsa, please call (918) 528-3330 today for an appointment with denture dentist Dr. Hodges at élan Tulsa Cosmetic Dentistry.

Best Cosmetic Dentist Tulsa Dr Meghan Hodges

élan Tulsa Cosmetic Dentistry

10031 S Yale Ave #104
Tulsa, OK 74137

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