Implant Dentures – Patterson, VA
A Modern Solution for Major Tooth Loss
Losing most or all of your teeth can make even the most basic tasks incredibly difficult or impossible. Smiling with confidence, speaking clearly, and eating the foods you enjoy can become a constant battle day-to-day. Not only that, but your long-term oral health is at risk as well. While you may be considering traditional dentures to replace your smile, they don’t go far enough to address all issues caused by severe tooth loss. Brown, Reynolds, Snow, LeNoir Dentistry offers implant dentures to ensure not only your smile is replaced, but your long-term oral health is restored as well. Give our office a call to schedule your next consultation!
What are Implant Dentures?
Implant dentures are so much more than just a denture that attaches to dental implants. They are designed to look and feel incredibly natural thanks to the materials utilized to mimic tooth enamel and gum tissue. By placing anywhere between four and six dental implant strategically placed throughout the jaw, we can attach either a partial or full denture. Once placed, you can eat your favorite foods, smile with confidence, and practice at-home oral hygiene with ease.
Depending on your current circumstance and preferences, you have two options to consider:
Fixed/Permanent Implant Dentures
Fixed implant dentures, or hybrid prosthesis as they are often referred as, are not meant to be removed by anyone other than a dentist. In most cases, between four and six dental implants are needed to hold a fixed implant denture. That means you’ll also need more jawbone density on average compared to a removable option.
Removable Implant Dentures
Commonly referred to as overdentures, removable implant dentures make use of clips or ball sockets to hold a restoration. This makes them easily removable at home for cleaning both the prosthesis and the gums and implant posts. Typically, they require fewer dental implants (between two and five), making them ideal for those with less available bone tissue.
The Implant Denture Procedure
The procedure for receiving implant dentures is relatively similar to the process that comes with receiving single dental implants. During your consultation, our team will examine your mouth and make sure there are no existing problems with your oral health (i.e. tooth decay, gum disease, or teeth that need removal). From there, we’ll begin planning the surgical portion of your treatment.
During your surgery, the gum tissue is opened up and a series of tiny holes are created inside of your jaw for the implants to sit inside of. After they are placed, we’ll close the gum tissue and give the implants time to heal over the next several months. When they have fully healed, we’ll begin designing your permanent denture so it can be attached, making your smile complete.
Am I a Candidate for Implant Dentures?
Candidates for implant dentures will need to meet a few prerequisites before beginning treatment, including the following:
- Relatively good oral health
- Good overall health and permission from a general physician to undergo minor surgery
- A strong commitment to at-home oral hygiene
- No negative past experiences during surgery or while receiving anesthesia
- A willingness to complete a lengthy tooth replacement process (receiving dental implants takes several months)
Benefits of Combining Dentures & Dental Implants
There are many benefits to choosing implant dentures over traditional options. For example, implant dentures can:
- Make at-home oral care easier to perform
- Improve overall jawbone preservation
- Make it easy to smile with confidence
- Lower risk for other oral health problems related to tooth loss
- Enhance your overall quality of life
- Increase biting force, making it easier to chew food
- Last for 30 years and longer with routine maintenance