Dental Implant Dentures – Millersville, MD

How Do Dental Implant Dentures Work?

Traditional dentures use a gum-colored base to support numerous replacement teeth. For a partial denture, the base is molded to fit between remaining teeth, and it’s held in place through suction between the gums and base as well as with clasps that attach to remaining teeth. Because there are no healthy teeth left to anchor a full denture, this tooth replacement prosthetic relies entirely on suction between the base and gum tissue and/or denture adhesive when necessary. While these solutions replace the lost teeth, they aren’t ideal. Without the supportive tooth roots below the gum line, partial and full dentures don’t have a high level of stability, limiting the types of foods patients can eat. Additionally, the pressure on soft tissue and remaining healthy teeth can lead to further oral health issues.

Dental implant-supported dentures replace any number of lost teeth from the roots up. That means these dentures look, feel, and function more like the healthy, natural teeth you lost. Depending on the type of denture, a number of replacement tooth roots called dental implants will be placed along the jaw line to provide support for the partial or full denture. Once the dental implants fuse with your jawbone, your partial or full denture will attach to these supportive posts that anchor your tooth replacement prosthetic just as natural tooth roots would.

Am I a Candidate For Dental Implant Dentures?

Thanks to advances in the materials, methods, and treatment technologies used to provide dental implant dentures, more people than ever before are able to safely receive this tooth replacement option. The ideal candidate for dental implant dentures will have the following characteristics:

• In need of restoration options following significant or complete tooth loss
• Have relatively healthy supportive hard and soft tissues (jawbone and gums)
• Good overall health. Diabetics with healing problems may sometimes have issues with dental implants
• Non-smokers have healthier gums but smokers may also have successful dental implant retention. Smoking decreases blood flow and circulation in gum tissue and throughout the body. Smokers also have delayed healing and increased risk of infection.

If you don’t meet the characteristics of an ideal client, that doesn’t mean you can’t receive a dental implant supported denture. However, you may need to take “better than normal” care cleaning around the dental implant.

The Dental Implant Dentures Procedure

Dental implant supported tooth replacement of any kind requires a greater investment of time to complete. This is especially true when it comes to dental implant dentures. Each person’s dental implant denture plan will differ, but most patients will undergo some combination of the following treatment steps:

• Preparation – this may include removing one or more damaged teeth, placing bone or gum tissue grafts, or addressing chronic gum disease or other oral health issues.
• Dental implant placement – once we’ve prepared your smile to ensure you have the greatest chances for success, we’ll surgically place the dental implants into the jawbone.
• Healing/osseointegration – over the course of several months, the soft tissue will heal and the dental implant post undergoes a process called osseointegration where it fuses with the supportive bone structure, replicating the function of tooth roots.
• Abutment and restoration design – once the dental implant posts are firmly in place and the soft tissue has healed following surgery, we’ll place the abutments, which connect the dental implant to the replacement teeth. During this appointment, we’ll design your final restoration.
• Restoration placement – once the custom partial or full denture is received, you’ll return to the offer where we’ll attach your denture to the dental implant posts, recreating a healthy, natural smile.

Benefits of Combining Dentures & Dental Implants

While the dental implant denture process is more extensive than traditional tooth replacement methods, there are numerous benefits to combining a denture with dental implants that make this smile repair option well worth the investment for many people. Some of the benefits you can expect from dental implant dentures include:

• Improved function – by replacing the lost tooth roots, dental implant dentures are able to function much more like your natural teeth. While traditional dentures restore about 25% of function, a dental implant denture can restore between 75% and 90% of chewing ability, allowing for a more versatile diet, clearer speech, and more confidence in your smile.
• Restoration longevity – traditional dentures need to be replaced at least every five to ten years for optimal function. Most dental implant dentures maintain their function and aesthetics for two decades or longer.
• Natural look – while traditional dentures have certainly come a long way, there are still some telltale signs that can give them away, leaving many denture wearers hesitant to smile. Dental implant dentures look and feel significantly more like natural teeth, giving you increased confidence to share your smile in any situation.
• Protect dental structures – while traditional partial and full dentures will wear down the health teeth and supportive oral structures over time, dental implant dentures actually protect any remaining teeth as well as providing the necessary stimulation to ensure patients maintain adequate amounts of supportive bone and gum tissue.