What are Implant-Supported Dentures?
Implant-supported dentures involve a series of implants that are placed to hold the denture securely in your mouth. Many denture wearers complain that their appliances slip and fall out throughout the day, or the fit of the denture looks unnatural and is uncomfortable for them. In order to eliminate these problems, we can place several implants and make an overdenture that snaps into place over them. Your overdenture is a great way to restore your smile and get away from the creams, gels and adhesive strips that you've been using for years.
Why would Implant-Supported Dentures be needed?
It's not uncommon to have an ill-fitting denture. Weight gain, weight loss and simply getting older can all have an impact on the way that your denture fits. If you're finding that you're constantly using strips and adhesive gels to keep your denture in place, it's time to look for a better alternative. Implant-supported dentures are ideal because the implants themselves are permanent, so you won't need to worry about replacing them over time.
Who is a candidate for Implant-Supported Dentures?
To determine if you're a candidate for implant-supported dentures, we'll examine your mouth and take a look at your existing dentures. This will give us an idea of whether or not you'd benefit from implants. If you have bone loss, this could have an impact on how well the implants heal. For this, we recommend bone grafting prior to any implants being placed.
What happens during the procedure to place Implant-Supported Dentures?
The first step is to provide you with sedation or anesthetic of your choosing. We will discuss these options during your consultation appointment. We then carefully make incisions through the gums and place the long, thin implant deep into the jawbone. The implants are then given time to heal. For most patients, this can take anywhere from three to six months depending on your own unique ability to heal. The next step is to make an overdenture for you using impressions. This denture is removable, but it will snap securely in place over the new implants.
If you would like to learn more about implant-supported dentures, contact us today to speak with one of our friendly staff members.