Implant Supported Dentures
Implant-supported dentures are a more permanent & secure option for replacing your teeth &
restoring your smile. Implant-supported dentures combine the best parts of dental implants &
dentures, providing a foundation for many teeth to be placed at once.
If you have lost all of your teeth on your upper jaw, lower jaw, or both, dentures can give you
your teeth back. However, traditional dentures are not perfect. Because they sit on the gums,
they might not be very secure, especially lower dentures, & you might be limited to eating more
soft foods than you'd like.
Not everyone who has lost their teeth is eligible for regular dental implants. That's because
tooth loss (& dental diseases like periodontitis) leads to bone loss in your jaw. If too much of
the bone in your jaw has dissolved away over time, there may not be enough bone structure left
to anchor a full set of implants. However, because implant-supported dentures only require a few
implants, the dentist can place them where bone density is best able to support them. If bone
grafting is needed for implant-supported dentures, it will only be needed where the few implants
will go & not the entire top or bottom jaw.
What Are Implant-Supported Dentures?
Implant-supported dentures are used as the foundation for a removable arch of replacement
teeth—in other words, dentures. Unlike traditional dentures that are held on with suction or
adhesive, implant-supported dentures clip onto the implants for a very secure fit. This
added security is especially attractive to people who are replacing their bottom arch of
teeth, because standard lower dentures are less stable than top dentures. This added
stability allows most patients to start reintroducing tougher & harder foods back into their
diet, which is great for both quality of life & nutrition.
In addition to a more secure fit, there are a few more major advantages to getting
implant-supported dentures:
Implant-Supported Dentures Are More Affordable
Implant-supported dentures can be more affordable than regular implants because fewer implants
are needed. Two, four, or six dental implants is often all you need to secure dentures. Another
added cost-saving factor is the possibility of retrofitting your existing dentures to clip onto
implant-supported dentures. If you're already a denture wearer & are happy with your existing
dentures or want to save money, it's often possible to add snaps to your existing dentures so
you can keep wearing them with your new dental implants. Of course, if you want to upgrade or
redo the look of your teeth, we can create new custom dentures to go with your new dental
implants.
Implant-Supported Dentures Can Help Stop or Prevent Bone Loss
One of the reasons you lose bone structure when you lose your teeth is because of the lack of
sensation from biting & chewing. The roots of your teeth naturally transfer the force of your
bite into your jawbone, thus stimulating bone to renew & regenerate itself continuously. When
you lose teeth or have them removed, your jawbone no longer gets the signal to regenerate, even
if you chew with dentures. With implant-supported dentures, the force of your bite can travel
through your false teeth, into the implants & then into the bone. This can stimulate your bone &
prevent future bone loss. Talk to us at your next appointment about whether implant-supported
dentures are a fitting restorative solution for you.