Implant-Supported Dentures
Implant-supported dentures offer a more permanent and secure option for replacing your teeth and restoring your smile. They combine the best features of dental implants and dentures, providing a stable foundation for multiple teeth at once.
If you have lost all your teeth on your upper jaw, lower jaw, or both, dentures can restore your smile. However, traditional dentures have limitations. Because they sit on the gums, they may not be very secure, especially lower dentures, and you might be restricted to eating softer foods. Implant-supported dentures address these issues, offering greater stability and a more natural function.
Not everyone who has lost their teeth is eligible for regular dental implants. Tooth loss and dental diseases like periodontitis can lead to bone loss in the jaw. If too much bone has been lost, there may not be enough structure left to anchor a full set of implants. However, implant-supported dentures only require a few implants, which can be placed where bone density is sufficient. If bone grafting is necessary, it will only be needed in the specific areas where the implants will be placed, rather than the entire upper or lower jaw.
What Are Implant-Supported Dentures?
Implant-supported dentures provide a foundation for a removable arch of replacement teeth. Unlike traditional dentures that rely on suction or adhesive, these dentures clip onto implants for a secure fit. This added stability is particularly beneficial for those replacing their lower arch of teeth, as standard lower dentures are less stable than upper dentures. The enhanced security allows most patients to reintroduce tougher and harder foods into their diet, improving both quality of life and nutrition.
In addition to a more secure fit, implant-supported dentures offer several major advantages:
Implant-Supported Dentures Are More Cost-Effective
Implant-supported dentures can be more cost-effective than traditional implants because they require fewer implants. Usually, two, four, or six implants are enough to secure the dentures. There’s also an option to retrofit your existing dentures to attach to the implants, offering additional savings. If you’re already using dentures and are happy with them, or if you want to reduce costs, snaps can often be added to your current dentures to make them compatible with the new implants. However, if you’d like to upgrade or change the look of your teeth, we can create new custom dentures to go along with your implants.
Implant-supported dentures can help prevent bone loss.
When teeth are lost, the jawbone loses the stimulation it needs from biting and chewing, which is typically provided by the roots of natural teeth. This lack of stimulation can lead to bone loss. Traditional dentures do not address this issue as they do not transfer the force of the bite into the jawbone. However, implant-supported dentures allow the force of the bite to travel through the false teeth, into the implants, and then into the bone, providing the necessary stimulation to maintain bone density and prevent further bone loss.
Talk to us at your next appointment to determine if implant-supported dentures are the right restorative solution for you.