Missing Teeth? Consider Implant-Supported Dentures

You may have heard about devices called implant-supported dentures, but do you know what they are used for? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 26% of Americans have lost all teeth by age 74. Reasons for tooth loss this drastic can stem from all sorts of issues, such as tooth decay, physical injuries or serious medical conditions. For those without teeth or who are missing a large number, implant-supported dentures can provide a lifelike replacement.
What are implant-supported dentures?
An implant-supported denture is like a traditional denture in the sense that it covers a row of exposed gums with artificial teeth for the purposes of talking and chewing. However, unlike a traditional denture, implants are fused to the jawbone and can connect to dentures, providing much more support for replacement teeth.
Bar-retained dentures
On a bar-retained denture, a metal strip that follows the curve of the jaw is attached to two to five implants that have been fused into the jawbone. Clips are fitted to the bar and/or the denture for easy removal and reattachment.
Ball-retained dentures
For these dentures, each implant in the jawbone holds a metal attachment that fits into another attachment on the denture like a jigsaw puzzle. Most of the time, the attachments on the implants are ball-shaped, fitting into holes on the denture.
The process
Every case is different, but the process for installing implant-supported dentures can take anywhere from four to six months to complete. Many steps are involved, and appointments with multiple dental professionals may be necessary.
Initial steps
Before any work is done, a consultation with either a specialist or a dentist with specific training is scheduled. Here, the dental professional reviews the patient’s medical history, makes models of the teeth and gums and takes X-rays of oral structures. The results of this appointment tell the surgeon where to place implants and the potential impact on sinuses or nerves.
Temporary dentures (optional)
If the patient does not currently wear dentures, the dentist makes a temporary set until the implant-supported denture is placed. Getting a temporary denture can delay the process by several weeks, but having a set of dentures is necessary for the dentist to determine the best position for the teeth in the final model.
Surgery
Once the dentist is ready to operate, a series of surgeries are conducted to place the implant-supported dentures in the mouth. During the first surgery, an incision is made into the gums over where each implant will be placed. A hole is drilled into these incisions down to the jawbone. Finally, the implants are placed in each hole. Months later, the mouth should be fully healed and ready for the second phase of surgery. Here, caps are placed over each implant to help the gums heal properly. After another few weeks of rest, the caps are replaced with abutments, and then the dentures are crafted and given to the patient.
Conclusion
Teeth must be taken care of properly to keep them healthy in the long run. However, should too many teeth fall out as one ages, implant-supported dentures can be used to restore a beautiful smile.
Are you considering implant-supported dentures in the Roswell area? Get more information at https://www.roswelldentalsmiles.com.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Recent Posts
A smile makeover comprises multiple cosmetic dental treatments performed to enhance the way your smile looks. The experience is unique for each person since the treatments selected are based on their unique needs. By the time the smile makeover is complete, the patient should be happy with the way their teeth look.Thinking about tackling all…
A smile makeover allows you to address concerns you may have with your smile, including but not limited to damaged teeth, stained teeth, missing teeth, short teeth, misalignments of the teeth and jaw, and a gummy smile. This review discusses the benefits of a smile makeover.The most notable benefits of getting a smile makeover include…
A smile makeover can help improve your smile and your life. It is a collection of treatments capable of enhancing the appearance and function of your mouth. You may not notice the need for this transformation. If you want to know if you need a smile makeover, here are the three signs to watch out…
For those considering partial dentures to replace missing teeth, it is helpful to have all of their questions answered during the consultation so they can decide on the best way to replace the missing teeth. This review discusses the best questions to ask your dentist about partial dentures.Before patients reach out to the dentist to…