What are Implant Supported Dentures?
Implant supported dentures are just like the dentures that you are already familiar with, the replacement teeth that sit above your gum line, but these are attached to titanium rods implanted in your jaw. Traditional dentures use suction and adhesives to stay in place in your mouth whereas the implant supported dentures offer permanently placed implants to keep the teeth in place. The implants have attachments that lock on to attachments on the dentures, unlike the continually replaced adhesive. While you may not have any teeth on your jaw, the implants do require that you have enough jaw bone to support the implants. Traditional dentures do not require as strong of a jaw and are redesigned every five to ten years to account for jaw deterioration and changes.
More often, dentists recommend implant supported dentures for people looking to replace their lower jaw teeth. Regular dentures are less stable for most people on their lower jaws as it is more difficult to achieve a consistent suction. For most people, the upper jaw dentures provide enough of a snug fit and do not need implants for the additional support. You and the dentist can discuss the options for your treatment plan to decide if implants on both your upper and lower jaw, just one or if the dentures will be permanently fixed to the implants or removable. With traditional dentures, dentists recommend removal at night, and if your dentures are removable, then you should take them out at night. It is important to clean your dentures and your gums twice a day, like you did for your natural teeth.
How Does It Work?
Implant supported dentures work in one of two ways: bar-retained or ball-retained. The means for securing the dentures in the mouth is the variable, the dentures and denture material remain the same in either case. And the dentures will need at least two implants to remain in place on each jaw but the dentist may opt to use three or up to five implants.
The Implant Process
After the dentist determines that you will need to replace your teeth with dentures and the best treatment plan for your new dentures is an implant supported instead of traditional, the dentist will help prepare you for the implant procedure. Typically in the best circumstances, the lower jaw will need at least five months and the upper jaw will need at least seven months from start to finish. If you need bone grafting or you need to heal from infections, the time frame could extend over a year.
The implant portion of the process will take two or more surgeries. The first surgery will place the titanium rods below the gum line and the second surgery will place the attachments on the top rods about three to six months after the first surgery. Depending on the dentist’s preferred technique and the health of your mouth, the dentist may even be able to combine these two surgeries in one successfully.
What Can You Expect From Your Implant-Supported Denture?
You can know that the implants offer a more stable and secure attachment than traditional dentures. You will have a more snug fit offering you more confidence while you eat and talk your way through your day.
More on Implant Supported Dentures : How Long Do Implant Supported Dentures Last?