Ditch Removable Dentures and Achieve Your Dream Smile!
Are your conventional dentures causing you strife? You may consider implant-supported dentures—a modern alternative that provides enhanced stability and a more natural look and feel. If you’re looking for tooth replacement solutions, get in touch with the professionals at Trusted Dental Care! Schedule your appointment with our dentist in Wylie, TX, today by calling (214) 702-0446.
What Are Implant-Supported Dentures?
Implant-supported dentures are a type of overdenture that’s supported by and attached to dental implants. Unlike traditional dentures that rest on the gums, implant-supported dentures are anchored to implants surgically placed in the jawbone. This integration provides a more stable and secure fit, preventing the common issues associated with regular dentures, such as slipping and discomfort.
Bar-Retained Dentures
In bar-retained dentures, a thin metal bar follows the curve of your jaw and attaches to the implants. The denture fits over the bar and is clipped into place with attachments.
Ball-Retained Dentures
Also known as stud-attachment dentures, ball-retained dentures involve each implant having a metal attachment that fits into another attachment on the denture. This system usually involves a ball-and-socket mechanism, providing a secure fit.
Benefits of Implant-Supported Dentures
Replacing your missing teeth with implant-supported dentures provides multiple benefits, including:
- Improved stability and security: Because dental implants are anchored to the jawbone, the dentures don’t rely on the gums for support, making them more stable and secure than traditional dentures. This means that people who wear them can speak and smile with confidence, knowing that their dentures won’t slip and slide around.
- Preservation of the jawbone: When natural teeth are lost, the jawbone shrinks, which can cause the face to appear sunken and aged. However, with the help of an implant-supported denture, you can preserve the jawbone’s integrity.
- Improved quality of life: An implant-supported denture can help improve the quality of life for patients who have lost their natural teeth. They can restore the ability to eat a wide range of foods, speak clearly, and smile confidently, which can greatly improve self-esteem and well-being.
- Long-lasting: Implant-supported dentures can last for many years, sometimes even a lifetime, with the right dental care and maintenance.
- Natural-looking: These dentures look like natural teeth.
- Easy maintenance: They’re easy to maintain and clean, just like natural teeth.
Cons
While there are many benefits to implant dentures, there are some potential drawbacks patients should know:
- Cost: They can be expensive, with costs ranging from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars.
Surgical procedure: These dentures require dental implant surgery to place the implant posts, which can be invasive and require recovery time. - Not suitable for everyone: Not all individuals are candidates. People who suffer bone loss may require bone grafting before implant placement, and people with certain systemic health conditions may not be good candidates.
- Temporary discomfort: There may be some temporary discomfort or pain associated with the implant surgery and the healing process.
- Risk of implant failure: Although rare, there’s a risk of implant failure, which can occur if the dental implant doesn’t fuse properly during the healing phase.
The Implant-Supported Dentures Process
Since dental implants support these dentures, patients will undergo oral surgery. The entire process can take anywhere between three and nine months to complete.
Initial Consultation
Our dentist will evaluate your oral health, take X-rays, and possibly a CT scan to assess the condition of your jawbone and plan the placement of the implants.
Implant Placement
During the first surgery, dental implants are placed into the jawbone. This procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia, though sedation options are available.
Healing Period
After the implants are placed, a healing period of 3 to 6 months is required for osseointegration to occur. During this time, the implants will fuse with the jawbone.
Second Surgery
Once the implants have integrated with the bone, a second minor surgery is performed to expose the tops of the implants and attach abutments, which are connectors for the dentures.
Denture Fitting
Finally, after the gums have healed, our dentist will take impressions of your mouth to create a custom denture, which will be securely attached to the implants.
Are You a Candidate?
To qualify for implant-supported dentures, individuals need to have adequate jawbone density to support dental implants. If the jawbone isn’t dense enough, a bone grafting procedure may be required before we can place a traditional denture over the implant. Ideal candidates for implant-supported dentures should also be in good overall health and shouldn’t have any systemic conditions that would make them a poor candidate for implant surgery.
To find out more about your candidacy, contact our Wyile dentist today. Dr. G will evaluate your oral health, discuss your smile goals, and provide the best options for your situation.
Cost of Implant-Supported Dentures
On average, the cost can range from $15,000 to $30,000 per arch. While this may seem high, it’s important to consider the longevity and benefits of this solution.
Factors Influencing Cost
- Number of Implants: More implants generally mean higher costs.
- Type of Denture: Bar-retained or ball-retained fixed dentures may have different costs.
- Geographic Location: Prices can vary significantly by region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Implant-supported dentures can last for many years, sometimes even a lifetime, with proper care and maintenance. You can increase the longevity of your restoration as long as you follow a rigorous at-home oral hygiene routine and visit your dentist twice a year for checkups.
It’s common to experience minor discomfort or pain after the implant procedure and during the healing process. However, any discomfort should be manageable with cold compresses or over-the-counter pain medications. Most people find that the benefits of these dentures far outweigh any temporary discomfort.
Unlike traditional dentures, implant-supported dentures are permanently anchored to the jawbone and aren’t removable. Only a qualified dentist can remove the restoration. Please don’t remove the restoration yourself, as this can cause serious damage.
The number of implants needed varies depending on the individual case. Typically, four to six implants are used to support a full arch of dentures, while two to four implants may support a partial denture.
Improve Your Appearance With Natural-Looking Tooth Replacements
Unlike conventional dentures, fixed implant-supported dentures won’t slip and slide around your mouth or require messy adhesives. If you’re ready to replace those missing teeth, contact our experienced Wylie dentist today at (214) 702-0446. We’ll help you determine the best option to replace your missing teeth and achieve your smile goals.