Implant-Supported Dentures
While today’s dentures have come a long way in terms of comfort and proper fit, they still lack the total support and stability of natural teeth. Thankfully, there is a permanent solution that benefits both the health and beauty of a patient’s smile.
Innovations in tooth replacement options have lead to the development of implant-supported dentures, or permanent dentures using a metal post and artificial teeth in place of removable full or partial dentures. The posts function as a replacement tooth root, giving dentures more stability and strength over time.
How Do Implant-Supported Dentures Work?
Both traditional and implant-supported dentures are specially designed to fit a patient’s mouth using digital impressions technology. However, while traditional dentures slip in and out of a patient’s mouth and must be held to the gums with denture adhesive, permanent dentures are attached to the jawbone like natural teeth.
Like a dental implant surgery using crowns, artificial roots are used to hold the dentures in place with snap-on screws. Instead of a crown, a partial or full arch of replacement teeth are used. If needed, an oral health professional can remove these dentures for repair or restoration. Usually, though, this is a permanent, attached solution.
Why Should I Get Implant-Supported Dentures?
Traditional dentures are an affordable, very common solution for patients with missing teeth. They give patients the ability to eat, bite, chew, speak and swallow normally, and don’t require the intensive healing process of a dental implant surgery.
However, even though these dentures give patients a significant amount of freedom in what they can do, they still don’t offer the total strength needed to eat certain foods and preserve mouth shape. They also require supplemental daily maintenance, including applying dental glue, using special denture cleaner and keeping them moist when not in use to prevent cracking.
Permanent dentures, on the other hand, function exactly like nature teeth. Thanks to their support posts, they help maintain bone structure and lead to less shifting of teeth as patients mature. This helps prevent future issues with your bite, gums, teeth and bones.
You also can eat whatever you want and don’t have to worry about additional maintenance beyond twice-daily brushing and standard hygiene appointments.
What is the Implant-Supported Denture Process?
Dr. McKibben and Dr. Ehrbar will start the process by attaching implants, or titanium metal posts, into your bone. Depending on the level of support you need, two or more implants may be used.
From here, a healing process follows so the posts can naturally attach to the bone. This can take between three to six months. During this time, you will wear temporary, traditional dentures to protect the posts as they heal.
Once your jawbone has securely fused to the titanium dental implant, we will attach or “snap on” your permanent dentures to the screw. Depending on how many teeth you need replaced, this may include a few teeth or a full arch.
The dental professionals at McKibben Dental recognize that tooth replacement looks different for each patient based on their unique needs. We invite you to call us at 614-575-9530 and schedule a consultation to discuss what treatment plan is best for you–whether that be types of implants or a nonsurgical solution like traditional dentures.
Looking for Dentures Near You in Reynoldsburg and the Surrounding Columbus area?
At McKibben Dental, our expert team specializes in restorative dentistry solutions that repair your smile and mouth back to total oral and aesthetic health. Call our office at 614-575-9530 to discuss all of the services we offer to restore, protect and maintain your teeth, including implant-supported dentures.
