If you're considering dentures because you have several missing teeth or you have bad teeth that need to be pulled, ask your dentist about overdentures. You may find these a better option since they secure firmly in your mouth and eliminate many of the problems associated with loose, slipping traditional dentures.

These are the two types of overdentures to consider.

1. Tooth-Supported

If you have a few natural teeth left, the dentist might use them to support your dentures. This involves shaving down the teeth to the gums and then attaching a cap and clips to each tooth to hold the dentures in place. By securing the dentures to your natural teeth with roots in place, you can prevent bone loss through bone stimulation every time you chew.

Your natural teeth provide support for the dentures so the dentures won't slip around when you chew or speak. This makes the dentures function and feel more like natural teeth. Traditional dentures often have to be secured with adhesive. They often get pulled out when you bite into certain foods, and that can cause a lot of embarrassment.

Overdentures help you avoid embarrassing problems with your dentures and they help the dentures fit more securely. Although the process of getting them is more involved than getting traditional dentures, the results are worth it.

2. Implant-Supported

If you've lost all of your teeth, you'll need to have implants put in to support the dentures since you can't use your real teeth. Implant-supported overdentures are just as effective as the tooth-supported variety. Implants are small titanium screws that are placed in your jawbone. The screws act as roots that help prevent bone loss, and the screws also hold your dentures in place since the dentures fit onto the implants.

Getting implant-supported overdentures takes longer because you need to wait for the implants to fuse with your bone and heal until you can have the overdentures applied permanently. However, your dentist may fit you with temporary dentures while you wait.

If your teeth have been missing for a long time, you may already have bone loss. If the loss is severe, your dentist may recommend a bone graft to make the bone stronger so it can support the overdentures better. The bone graft is done first, and it has to heal before the implants are put in, so a graft adds to the length of time to complete the procedure.

Once done, your dentures will feel like natural teeth so you can eat and chew normally. Plus, you'll feel more confident about smiling and speaking since the dentures are secure with no risk of coming loose.