Implant Dentures

What Are Implant Dentures?

Implant dentures are anchored to dental implants to create a stable hold that allows the patient to chew more easily and thoroughly. Dental implants are titanium posts surgically placed in the jawbone where they fuse with the surrounding bone structure through the natural process of osseointegration, creating a secure and stable hold. While the specifics of each treatment depend on the needs of the particular patient, you may only need a few implants to enjoy a more lifelike and functional smile. Implant dentures come in several varieties, such as:

Fixed/Permanent Implant Dentures

Fixed implant dentures are sometimes called hybrid prosthesis and are designed to stay securely in place while only being removed by a dentist for maintenance. These dentures typically require the patient to receive four to six dental implants in optimal places along the jawbone. While they require the patient to have healthy bone density in their jaws, many report that they forget that they are wearing dentures at all.

Removable Implant Dentures

Also called “snap-on dentures”, removable dentures are secured to dental implants in a way that allows the patient to take them out for daily cleaning. They can be bar-retained, or anchored with clips, or ball-retained, meaning that they are anchored with ball sockets. These implant dentures usually require only two to five dental implants.

The Implant Denture Process

After we confirm that you are a good candidate for implant dentures, we will refer you to a specialist to have your implants placed. The process of placing them takes several steps, and the first is using a local anesthetic to numb the area being treated. The specialist will then make incisions in the gums and place the implants within the bone structure of the jaw. Once the area has healed, your dentures can be attached. However, some patients may not be good candidates for implants due to gum disease or low bone density in the jaw, but these issues can often be resolved with periodontal treatments or bone grafts. These treatments have allowed many patients to receive dental implants.

Am I a Candidate for Implant Dentures?

When considering restorative dental options, implant dentures can also be an ideal choice for patients who do not qualify for single dental implants. While replacing multiple teeth with single-tooth implants is possible, it is not always a realistic choice for patients who have experienced bone loss. Oris Dental Studio will conduct a comprehensive examination of your current smile with our high-tech equipment. We will make sure to account for all angles in your mouth and recommend the most appropriate restorative option for you based on our findings.

Benefits of Combining Dentures & Dental Implants

By anchoring dentures to dental implants, implant dentures can deliver several key advantages that the traditional variety simply cannot match. A few of these include:

• Creating a stable hold that makes your teeth appear to be more natural.
• Restoring your chewing ability so that you can enjoy foods that often give traditional dentures much difficulty like steak and popcorn.
• Preventing bone loss in your jaw by restoring the stimulation and exercise that your natural teeth once provided.
• Your implants can last for decades or even a lifetime with excellent care and maintenance.