My husband’s dentist recently recommended dental implants because has been struggling with bad dentures for the past 3 years. We have had many conversations with his dentist. I can’t count how many adjustments, readjustments, regular liners, and soft liners have been tried. No matter what his dentist does, either the dentures are too loose or too tight and causing irritation and sores on his gums. Either they slip out or hurt his gums so bad they bleed. He can’t eat right with the dentures so most of the time he either skips meals or eats very lightly. Sometimes he takes the dentures out just to eat. He has lost 30 pounds since he had the dentures and he is not a big guy to start with. What does our dentist need to do to get this right? Are dental implants really the answer? – Flo

Flo – Your husband should consider securing his dentures with dental implants.

How Dental Implants Stabilize Dentures

• The implants are surgically placed in your jawbone.
• During the healing period, the fixtures fuse to your bone.
• Standard implants can be used, or you can choose snap-on dentures, which use two implants and are more affordable. If it’s in your budget, choose implant overdentures with four to six fixtures will provide maximum stability and help the prosthesis feel more like natural teeth.
• The dentures will rest on the implants, instead of on your husband’s gums, so they will no longer irritate his gums or cause sores. When dentures are stabilized with dental implants, chewing efficiency will improve, so it will be much easier for your husband to eat with dentures.

You can consider getting a second opinion. It can increase your comfort level in the dentist’s recommendation. Or it might help you determine that you need to switch dentists. Find an experienced implant dentist who is also skilled in cosmetic dentistry. Your husband will get cosmetic dentures that fit well and that are secured to quality implant fixtures. The change will finally give your husband a positive experience with dentures.

This post is sponsored by Lowell, MA dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.