Don’t Settle for Conventional Dentures
Dentures are a tried-and-true tooth replacement option. However, with advanced technology, more convenient options have arisen. Implant-supported dentures are secured into place with dental implants, ensuring that your restoration stays in place and allows you full function.
If you’re looking for an alternative to traditional dentures, contact our West Sayville dentist today to schedule an appointment. Call our dental practice at 631-563-1583.
What Are Implant-Supported Dentures?
Implant-supported dentures, also known as overdentures, are anchored in place by dental implants rather than relying solely on the gums or natural teeth for support. Traditional dentures rest on the gums, which can sometimes lead to issues such as slipping, discomfort, or difficulty chewing. Implant-supported dentures offer a more stable and secure solution.
There are two types:
- Bar-retained: A thin metal bar is attached to multiple dental implants that have been surgically placed in the jawbone. The denture then clips onto the bar with attachments or clasps, providing stability and support. Bar-retained dentures offer excellent retention and stability, particularly in cases where the jawbone may have experienced significant resorption
- Ball-retained (Locator Attachments): Also known as stud-attachment dentures, ball-retained dentures involve placing implants with ball-shaped attachments in the jawbone. The denture has corresponding sockets or housings that snap onto these attachments, creating a secure fit. Ball-retained dentures are often more straightforward to maintain and can provide sufficient stability for many patients.
Implant-Supported Dentures Benefits
Replacing your missing teeth with implant-supported dentures provides multiple benefits, including:
- Enhanced Stability: Removable dentures rely on adhesives or suction to stay in place, leading to potential slipping or shifting while eating or speaking. Implant-supported dentures are anchored securely to dental implants, providing stability and preventing movement or discomfort.
- Improved Chewing Efficiency: Unlike conventional dentures, implant-supported dentures function more like natural teeth, allowing for better chewing efficiency and the ability to enjoy a wider variety of foods without restrictions.
- Enhanced Comfort: Because implant-supported dentures are securely attached to implants, they often feel more comfortable. Patients typically experience less irritation of the gums and oral tissues, leading to improved overall comfort and satisfaction.
- Bone Preservation: Dental implants stimulate the jawbone, helping prevent bone loss and maintain bone density over time. This can prevent the deterioration of facial structure and the “sunken-in” appearance often associated with missing teeth, providing better long-term oral health outcomes.
- Better Speech: Implant-supported dentures offer better stability and retention, allowing for clearer and more natural speech patterns.
- Long-Term Durability: With proper care and maintenance, implant-supported dentures can last for many years, providing a durable and reliable tooth replacement solution. This longevity can result in cost savings and a reduced need for frequent replacements compared to removable dentures.
Cons
While there are many benefits to fixed implant-supported dentures, there are some potential drawbacks patients should know about, including:
- Cost: They can be expensive, with costs ranging from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars.
- Surgical procedure: Fixed 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 from 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
The process of getting implant-supported dentures typically involves several steps:
- Initial Consultation: The first step is to consult with our West Sayville dentist. During this appointment, your tooth loss and oral health will be assessed, and a treatment plan will be developed.
- Treatment Planning: We’ll take detailed impressions, X-rays, and possibly CT scans of your mouth and jawbone. These images will help determine the number and placement of dental implants needed to support the dentures effectively.
- Dental Implant Placement: The next step is the surgical placement of dental implants into the jawbone. This procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia or sedation to ensure comfort. The implants are strategically positioned in the jawbone to provide optimal support for the dentures.
- Healing Period: After implant placement, a healing period of several months is usually necessary to allow the implants to fuse with the surrounding bone through osseointegration. During this time, temporary dentures may be worn to maintain aesthetics and function.
- Abutment Placement: Once the implants have fully integrated with the jawbone, abutments are attached to the implants. Abutments are small connector pieces that protrude above the gumline and serve as attachment points for the denture.
- Denture Fabrication: After the abutments are in place, impressions of your mouth are taken to create a custom-made denture that will fit securely over the implants. The denture is designed to match the shape, size, and color of your natural teeth for a seamless appearance.
- Denture Attachment: The final step is attaching the denture to the implants using either bar-retained or ball-retained attachments. These attachments provide stability and support, allowing the denture to snap into place securely while still being removable for cleaning and maintenance.
- Follow-Up Care: After the implant-supported dentures are placed, regular follow-up appointments with your dentist will be scheduled to monitor healing and ensure proper fit and function. Good oral hygiene practices, including daily brushing and flossing, are essential for maintaining the health of the implants and surrounding tissues.
Ready to get started? Contact our dentist in Long Island today by calling 631-563-1583.
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.
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.