What is a Palateless Denture?
Since traditional dentures were introduced, patients have struggled with the problems a covered soft palate poses. Typically, upper dentures cover the top of the mouth so thoroughly that a person’s ability to taste and experience their food is diminished, not to mention hamper proper function.
Dentures that you can wear all the time
Modern prosthetic dentistry has overcome this hurdle with upper dentures without a palate – or palateless dentures – now available at Maida Smiles.
Paletteless dentures are designed for use when all your upper teeth are missing. It involves any upper denture with no plate covering the upper palate, including dental implants, natural tooth-retained overdentures, fixed/removable restorations, or even a conventional palateless denture with a horseshoe-shaped frame.
What are the benefits of upper dentures without a palate?
A palateless denture stabilised with dental implants has several advantages, including:
- – It is secure and feels more like your natural teeth.
- – It’s more comfortable than traditional dentures.
- – The open palate enhances your taste and enjoyment of food.
- – Implants stimulate your jawbone and help prevent shrinkage normally occurring when teeth are missing.
- – Beneficial for patients with a highly sensitive gag reflex who have trouble adjusting to the palate in a conventional denture.
How does it work?
Impressions
Step 1: Take impressions of your upper and lower arch to ensure the denture fits correctly and your bite is well aligned.
Dental implant placement
Step 2: Position the dental implants into the jawbone and allow time for them to heal.
Fusing period
Step 3: It lasts three to four months, and the implants will fuse to your jawbone and provide a solid anchor for your palateless denture. Meanwhile, you can wear a temporary denture.
Additional impressions
Step 4: Involves more impressions to ensure no changes are needed to provide an accurate fit.
Permanent dentures
The final step involves the formation of your permanent denture. When ready, they will be fixed onto the dental implants and checked for appearance, bite and comfort.
How Many Dental Implants Are Required?
As few as two dental implants can be used. However, more implants will increase the stability of your prosthesis.
What happens during implant placement?
- You will be sedated for the procedure.
- The surgery will be pain-free, but you may experience minor discomfort afterwards, which will improve with over-the-counter pain relief.
- Implant placement takes about an hour per dental implant.
- You’ll be given post-care instructions.
- You will be able to resume normal activities the next day.
Next Step
We are based at 207-209 Sutherland Avenue, Maida Vale, London W9 1RU. Find Us. We reserve appointments for new patients every day so there is no waiting.
