How To Stabilize an Upper Denture Without Covering the Palate [Video Q&A]

According to the American College of Prosthodontics (ACP), about 15% of those without teeth have a denture made every year. This frequency reflects the constant need for denture maintenance, as traditional dentures are prone to losing their fit or requiring replacement. One of the most common issues patients experience with traditional dentures is the bulky upper denture plate that covers the palate. Your palate is home to key taste buds that help you experience the full range of flavors food has to offer. But when an upper denture covers the roof of your mouth, you lose access to these taste buds. This leaves patients wondering how to stabilize their upper denture without covering the palate.

Fortunately, the Mini Dental Implant Center of America in Springfield, MO, has a solution!

How an Upper Denture Stays Secure

A traditional full denture has both an upper and lower portion. The lower prosthetic rests directly on your gums, fitting the unique contours of your mouth. The upper denture, however, adheres to the roof of your mouth through suction.

While suction may sound like an inadequate retention method, most patients only experience stability issues with their lower denture.

The main problems patients have with upper dentures are their sheer size and reduced taste. With a bulky upper denture plate, some patients experience discomfort as the denture reaches near the back of the throat. Patients with a sensitive gag reflex may find wearing their upper prosthetic incredibly uncomfortable, if not impossible.

Additionally, traditional upper dentures cover the taste buds present on your upper palate. For traditional denture wearers, flavors may be diminished, with many having difficulty recognizing bitter, salty, sweet, and sour tastes.

Securing Your Upper Denture Without Covering the Palate

Traditional dentures are a tried-and-true method for replacing missing teeth, but they’re far from the only option. At the Mini Dental Implant Center of America in Springfield, MO, we offer dentures with mini dental implants for support!

These titanium posts are small and minimally invasive, making the placement process simpler. Once inside your jawbone, mini implants immediately begin to stabilize, anchoring in place. Then, we connect your denture to the implants, providing a stable bite that’s built to last.

And thanks to the added stability dental implants provide, we will actually remove the bulky upper denture plate that causes so much trouble for patients! Without the need for suction, your denture will stay secure on your implants, restoring your smile without discomfort.

By freeing your upper palate, we also free your taste buds, allowing you to taste foods to the fullest extent.

Our Implant Denture Options

At the Mini Dental Implant Center of America in Springfield, MO, we offer a variety of implant denture options. These restorations range in removability and design, so we have options to fit any patient.

The decision between the fixed and removable depends on several factors. These considerations include the amount of available bone, the number of implants that can be placed, and your financial goals.

With a removable denture, such as a snap-on denture, you’ll need to remove it at least twice a day for cleaning. Regular maintenance includes replacing the O-rings, which are essential for maintaining a secure fit as they connect the denture to the implants. But this maintenance can simply be done during routine dental visits.

With the fixed option, such as a zirconia roundhouse, we use a strong dental cement to anchor the restoration in place. This denture is even sleeker than the snap-on design and lets you treat your artificial smile like natural teeth. Cleaning a roundhouse bridge involves using a water flosser and a toothbrush.

Find Upper Denture Support Without Covering Your Palate!

Traditional dentures need frequent relines and replacements. In contrast, implant dentures stay secure in your mouth, providing a permanent solution for tooth loss! These dentures also don’t need the bulky upper denture palate that covers key taste buds. Instead, implant dentures restore your smile, keep it strong and healthy, and remain comfortable in your mouth while freeing your taste buds.

Book a free implant consultation with us in Springfield, MO, to learn more about the importance of a comfortable denture prosthetic.

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