Categories: Implant Dentist

What You Should Know About Implant-Supported Dentures

Implant-supported dentures are a great way to enjoy the many benefits associated with implants without having to hand over an arm and a leg. Talk to a dentist, and they will tell you that implants are the best replacement for a lost natural tooth.

Why choose implant-supported dentures?

Implants go way beyond improving the appearance of a person's smile. These devices replace the missing roots of the tooth that has fallen out, which prevents jawbone deterioration. This is usually what occurs when a person loses a tooth. The jawbone tissue that once held the tooth's roots in place begins to deteriorate, and that can lead to drastic changes to the person's face.

The one issue people sometimes have with implants is that it is the priciest option when it comes to replacing missing teeth. The cost of a single implant is often more than the price of other alternatives like dentures and implants.

So, why should people not simply go for the cheaper alternatives?

The thing is, dentures and bridges do nothing to preserve the patient's jawbone tissue. These devices help prevent other issues, like the remaining teeth shifting and creating gaps in their smile, but many patients do not want to have to worry about jawbone tissue deterioration.

That is where implant-supported dentures come in. These devices utilize four to six implants on each side of the patient's jaw to permanently attach a special set of dentures. The patient gets all the benefits associated with implants without having to get an implant for every lost tooth.

What to expect when getting implant-supported dentures

Once the patient has been deemed eligible for implants, a date will be set for their installation. During the procedure, the dentist will surgically attach implants into the patient's jaw. The patient is then given up to seven months for the implants to fuse properly with the tissue holding them in place. This fusion is called osseointegration.

Once the implants are securely fused, a special set of dentures is attached to them. There are different types of implant-supported dentures, but the most common are permanently attached to the implants. It is a benefit that anyone who has ever worn dentures will appreciate. The device is stable in the wearer's mouth, which is drastically different from traditional dentures, which tend to move around when worn.

Other benefits of implant-supported dentures include that they:

Preserve the patient's jawbone tissue
Prevent the remaining teeth from becoming misaligned
Do not require any adhesives to keep it in place
Do not require special care like traditional dentures
Are significantly cheaper than getting implants for all missing teeth

Implant-supported dentures free you

With implant-supported dentures, there is no need to spend 20 minutes cleaning your prosthetic each night or constantly worrying about it slipping while you dine out. Call us and explore your options with one of our dentists if you have lost any of your natural teeth.