Most people are familiar with conventional dentures, a full set of prosthetic teeth you often see floating in a glass of water in pop culture, but implant-supported dentures are a new and exciting innovation on this old-fashioned dental appliance. Brookfield Oral Surgery can help you make the jump to the next generation of denture technology.
What are implant supported dentures?
Implant supported dentures are a lot like a traditional set of full dentures. Unlike traditional dentures, which form a tight seal with your gums that helps support them and keep them stable, implant supported dentures rely on dental implant technology. Dental implants are micro-screws made of metal that are placed within your jawbone. Over time, the implants bond with your living bone, becoming a natural part of your body by replacing the tooth root that used to be there.
Instead of resting on your gums, your dentures will instead “snap” onto these implants. This means that they have far superior stability and durability compared to traditional dentures, which can often slip and slide around in your mouth while still being removable. How many implants you will need can vary based on a number of factors.
Are implant supported dentures right for you?
You should strongly consider implant supported dentures if you already are wearing traditional dentures. With implant supported dentures, you get all the benefits you are used to with far fewer of the drawbacks. Now you can eat your favorite foods again, talk without fear of slurring your words, and never fear embarrassing slipping or clicking again. Our patients report that implant supported dentures are also significantly more comfortable in the mouth and do not trigger sensitive gag reflexes.
If you do not have dentures and are missing all of your top or bottom teeth or have few healthy teeth left, then implant supported dentures are an ideal choice. While traditional dentures can be cheaper, dental implants are built to last a lifetime and so can be more cost-effective in the long run. The dentures themselves can still wear out, though, and must be cleaned daily.
What you can expect when getting implant supported dentures placed
Implant supported dentures usually entail more than one visit to our office. We always start with a comprehensive exam, taking scans of your mouth and the surrounding structures to aid us in determining how many implants you will need and where they should be placed. Placing the implants themselves is relatively quick, but the recovery process can take several months as your new implants must fuse with your jawbone. While they heal, we will fabricate your custom dentures. Once your implants are fully integrated, you can come on back, and we will perform a final placement, ensuring that everything fits correctly and feels comfortable.