Permanent Dentures: Upgrade Your False Teeth! [Expert Video Explainer]

Maybe you started your denture journey with a traditional option. But you find that you’re unhappy with how difficult it is to chew and how unstable it feels when you smile or speak. Or perhaps you invested in a snap-in denture, and you’re ready to move on to something that doesn’t come in and out. That’s where permanent dentures come in. These fixed alternatives are cemented onto dental implants and never come out at home. Patients find that their non-removable design makes them feel and function more like natural teeth.

At West Wind Dental, we offer two types of non-removable bridges: the semi-removable bridge and the non-removable bridge. Both are powerful alternatives to traditional dentures, providing beautiful, lasting results.

What Are Permanent Dentures?

When most people think of dentures, they’re usually picturing traditional removable dentures made of acrylic with a large amount of pink gums. Permanent dentures are quite different. They’re a full-arch replacement made from a more durable type of ceramic called zirconia, with little to no pink gums. The roundhouse bridge cements onto mini implants, and you’ll never have to remove them at home

It’s worth mentioning that some fixed dentures are more permanent than others. Dr. Ellis offers two solutions at his practice: the semi-removable roundhouse bridge (Fix-on-Six®) and the permanent roundhouse bridge.

Semi-Removable Roundhouse Bridge

Also known as Fix-on-Six®, this full arch secures to 6-10 implants. This solution is sometimes designed with a small amount of pink “gums” to compensate for lost volume. Once the semi-removable roundhouse bridge is in place, you’ll never have to remove it at home. However, Dr. Ellis periodically removes the bridge in his office for a deep cleaning and repositions it onto the implants.

This option is often more affordable than permanent roundhouse bridges. However, it is still quite durable, lasting 10 to 20 years or more with proper care.

Permanent Roundhouse Bridge

The permanent roundhouse bridge secures onto 10-12 implants. This full-arch replacement consists of only false teeth (no gums). The result looks the most natural out of all full-arch replacements. It permanently cements directly on the implants. It never comes out, better replicating the look and feel of natural teeth. This alternative tends to last the longest. With consistent care, your permanent roundhouse bridge can last 20 years or even longer.

To maintain either non-removable option, simply brush your teeth as usual and use a water flosser to clean underneath the bridge.

Switching From Snap-In Dentures to Permanent Dentures

Snap-in dentures provide more stability than traditional dentures, but they still leave room for improvement. Perhaps you’ve grown tired of having to take out your denture each night for cleaning. Or perhaps your finances have changed, and you’re ready for a long-term solution. You can upgrade from a snap-in denture to a non-removable alternative.

Upgrading does not have to mean starting over, thanks to mini dental implants. To upgrade from a removable implant denture to a fixed option, Dr. Ellis can usually add more mini implants to the jawbone. This provides more support to anchor the new, more durable roundhouse bridge.

Upgrading your snap-in denture with mini implants is quite different from upgrading one that uses traditional implants. Here’s why. The design of mini implants has remained consistent over time, while there have been many more versions of traditional implants. Dr. Ellis can easily find additional mini implants that are compatible with the ones your snap-in denture is secured to.

Dr. Ellis is passionate about mini implants because he comes from a construction background. When he recommends mini implants for snap-in dentures, he knows it leaves the option open for you to invest in a smile renovation later on by upgrading to permanent dentures.

Explore Fixed Dentures at a Free Consultation

You don’t have to settle for a denture that you constantly need to take in and out. If you’re struggling with a loose traditional denture or you’re ready to upgrade from a snap-in denture, permanent dentures are the logical next step. Some dentures are more permanent than others, with Fix-on-Six® balancing affordability with a premium feel. For the most long-lasting, high-end investment, consider the permanent fixed bridge.

Dr. Ellis wants to help you enjoy a more stable, natural-looking alternative to your removable denture. Learn more about permanent dentures in a free consultation.