While dentures may slip, dental implants stay in place while you chew. That way, you're able to eat without having to feel self-conscious about your teeth.
Once you lose a tooth, it can be difficult eating your favorite foods. That's why we recommend that you schedule an appointment with Dr. Suk Jun Yun as soon as possible.
During your consultation, he'll determine if you're a candidate for dental implants.
Here's what you need to know in the meantime.
What are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a made out of a titanium alloy. Unlike dentures, Dr. Yun will place the dental implant in your jaw.
Over several months, the implant will bond to your jawbone. Once your jaw has healed, Dr. Yun will place an abutment and crown over top.
As shown in the diagram below, all the parts work together to give you the look and function of a natural tooth.
While dentures sit on top of the gums, dental implants fuse to the jawbone. This means that they won't move while you enjoy your meal. Instead, they'll function like natural teeth.
What Can I Eat After Getting Dental Implants?
You’ll need to eat soft foods while you recover from the dental implant procedure. That way, your mouth and jaw will have a chance to heal.
Stay away from foods that are sticky and/or hard to chew in the meantime. Once you recover from the dental implant procedure, you’ll be able to eat whatever you want.
Whether you're eating steak or corn-on-the-cob, you can count on your dental implants to do their job.
What’s it Like to Eat with Dentures vs. Implants?
Even the best-fitting dentures will slip if you sneeze or make some other abrupt movement. Once dentures slip, food can get caught underneath and irritate your gums. The only way to remove these food particles is to brush or soak your dentures after eating.
To correct slipping dentures in public, bite down gently and swallow. This will help you to adjust your dentures while being discreet.
Most of the taste buds in your mouth are on your tongue. Yet, did you know that some taste buds are on the roof of your mouth? People who wear upper dentures have a plate that covers the roof of their mouth. Unfortunately, this reduces their sense of taste.
One of the benefits of dental implants is that you’re able to use all your taste buds. You also won't have to worry about your dental implants moving while you eat.
Request an Appointment With Us
Dr. Yun is a dental implant dentist in Grand Rapids, MI. As such, he'd be more than happy to help you explore your . We offer dental implants, bridges, and dentures.
Ready to request an appointment? Have questions about the dental implant procedure? Please call the NorthPointe Family Dental & Implant Center at (616) 288-6134.
You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our office will reach out to you soon. We'd be more than happy to help!
This blog post has been updated.