If you have lost multiple teeth and are wearing or will be wearing dentures, you might be a good candidate to restore your smile with a modern dental restoration known as dental implant-supported dentures.
These custom-made dentures are like traditional dentures except they use surgically placed dental implants to act as an artificial tooth root that anchors them in your mouth to provide you with the ultimate in stability.
Instead of fixing to the gums like traditional dentures, implant-supported dentures affix to an implant. This prevents an issue some denture wearers have with “floating” dentures, which occurs when the dentures are loose and shift in the mouth which can interfere with eating and speaking properly.
The nice thing about implant-supported dentures is that they can use your current denture and be retrofitted with implants. Dental implants (which look like screws and are typically made from a biocompatible material such as titanium) are placed into healthy gum and jawbone so that it can effectively hold your denture on top. This is surgically done, and when finished implants will provide a secure fit to anchor your denture.
This usually takes 4-8 dental implants for each denture, depending on your needs. For example, complete upper dentures often require anywhere between six and eight implants, whereas complete lower dentures take four to five implants.
Next, you’ll wait as the implant area heals and the bone bonds with the post through a process called osseointegration which can take three to six months. When the healing is done, your denture will be attached to the implant using hardware such as a bar, snap, or abutment. The end result is a stable prosthetic that mimics the function and feel of your own teeth!
Benefits of Implant-Supported Dentures
-They protect the jawbone from future bone loss by stimulating the bone when you chew
-They allow you to chew the food you like to eat without restrictions, and do so properly to allow for better digestion
-They preserve your facial structure which is often diminished when teeth are lost
-They look natural in your mouth while preserving your gum health
-They don’t dislodge in your mouth
To make your dentures, impressions of your teeth will be taken and the dentures fabricated and then adjusted for a comfortable fit. Your implant-supported dentures will leave your smile healthy looking and functioning, just like your natural teeth, so you can smile with confidence! Best of all, if you care for your new dentures like your own teeth, they can last a lifetime.
If you would like to know more about our implant supported dentures, please call or visit our office to meet with our denturist.
