Wondering what options are available to fill the gaps in your teeth? A missing tooth can be inconvenient and might be the reason for low self-esteem. If you are looking for a treatment that can bring your smile back, implant dentures might be a great option. An implant-supported denture is a type of denture that is inserted into the jaw bone.
The installation of implants can prevent bone loss and maintain the structure of your face. They will not only improve your speaking and eating but also improve your overall oral health.
If you want to have a perfect smile, keep reading this blog post to find out more about implant-supported dentures.
What Are Implant-Supported Dentures?
Implant-supported dentures are made of titanium metal inserted into the jawbone to replace natural tooth roots.
Implants are used to hold the implant-supported dentures for a more solid foundation and to support the force of your bite. In contrast, traditional dentures may only rely on the denture adhesive and the soft tissues in the mouth for suction.
There are two types of implant-supported dentures: bar-retained and ball-retained.
Bar Retained Dentures
It has a metal bar that follows the curve of your jaw and is connected to two or five implants positioned in the bone. The attachments clipped the denture into place and fit over the bar.
Ball Retainer Dentures (Stud-attachment dentures)
They have a metal accessory attached to each implant in the jawbone that matches another accessory on the denture. In general, the implants have attachments that look like balls and fit into holes on the denture.
This type of denture is removable and functions like a natural tooth. This means that cleaning and maintaining the denture is as easy as with traditional dentures.
Important Reasons to Consider Implant-Supported Dentures
Preserve the jawbone
The jaw bone can shrink when it lacks stimulation from the teeth, leading to loose dentures. Bone shrinkage can affect the shape of your face and make your other teeth fall out. Implant dentures stimulate the jawbone by acting as roots. It exerts the same pressure as natural teeth, allowing the bone to be preserved.
Fill in Gaps in the Teeth to Improve the Appearance
If you have lost many teeth, the dentist may recommend implant-supported dentures. Implants can fill the gaps and will keep the dentures locked in your mouth, restoring your smile. This type of denture prevents the loss of bone that may cause deep wrinkles, sagging skin, and changes in your facial structure.
Long-Term Treatment
Unlike other denture options, implant-supported dentures can last a long time. It is an effective alternative for missing teeth, and denture replacement is more likely to take 5 – 10 years, depending on how you take care of it.
Low maintenance
Although implant-supported dentures are more expensive than other dental treatments, they are low-maintenance and can provide a strong solution that can last for a long time. You may save money on denture creams, adhesives, replacements, and dental appointments.
Prevents loose dentures
Only two dental implants may be required to support your denture in some cases. This method usually removes the need for denture pastes or adhesives while improving stability. When a denture is attached to two or more dental implants, most patients rarely experience denture slippage. That’s why implant-supported dentures are recommended for patients who have problems with loose dentures.
Supports the bite force
Bite stress is transmitted properly around your mouth using implant-supported dentures. Dental implants are placed in the jaw bone, which anchors the dentures. That’s why implant-supported dentures can help your jaw keep its shape and strength by supporting your bite force and preventing bone atrophy.
Benefits of Implant-Supported Dentures
Stability
Traditional dentures use adhesive to sit on the gums, which leaves dentures feeling loose and may result in slipping or falling out of place. With implant-supported dentures, you can enjoy a secure fit without worrying about your teeth falling out. The metal abutments will attach to dental implants fused with the jawbone. These implant-supported dentures give strength and stability to natural tooth roots.
Improves Speech and Chewing Ability
Dentures that don’t fit well might make eating and speaking difficult. Your words may come out mumbled at times, and eating may be uncomfortable as you try to keep your teeth from sliding out. Since implant-supported dentures are stable, they allow clear communication and make eating easier.
Less Bone Loss
Every time you clench your teeth, the pressure is transmitted to the bone, which can make your lower dentures loose. Loose dentures can also happen with the absence of teeth. The surrounding bone loses its role, and the body starts to resorb bone tissues because of the lack of stimulation provided by the teeth roots. This can lead to bone loss in the jaws and affect the facial structure.
Implants operate as tooth roots. They stimulate bone cells and prevent the jawbone around them from deteriorating. If enough denture implants are used, they can help the jawbone structures remain healthy and intact.
Restores Your Smile
Implant-supported dentures can be used on both the top and bottom teeth to fill in the gaps. It can replace lost tissues and restore the balance of your face. It’s possible to have a stable full smile with implant-supported dentures. This can help you regain your self-confidence.
Low Risk of Gum Infections
Implant-supported dentures are placed on top of the dental implants, so you do not have to worry about painful patches or irritations on your gums. This is a great benefit, as people who choose traditional dentures endure discomfort and even pain adjusting to their new dentures. Having dental implants means that dentures that are attached to them are very stable. This means that patients won’t get gum sores from slipping or loose dentures.
They Don't Require Denture Adhesives
Implant-supported dentures do not need any adhesive to keep them in their proper place. Patients do not have to learn how to use denture adhesives, which can cost less time and money.
How to Know if You're a Good Candidate for Implant-Supported Dentures?
Strong Jawbone
The replacement root post of the implant is attached to the jawbone. The implant will not be able to support itself effectively if there isn’t enough jawbone or if the current jawbone is too weak. You could be considered a good candidate for implant treatment with an adequate jaw bone structure.
Healthy Gums
The installation of implant-supported dentures requires healthy gums. Implant dentures rely on the surrounding gum tissue for support, so having healthy gums is required for this surgical procedure. The dentist can help you figure out how healthy your gum tissue is or if there are any problems before giving you this kind of treatment.
Missing Multiple Teeth
Implant-supported dentures are a type of denture used by people who have lost most or all of their teeth. With the help of implants, mouth reconstruction can happen, from filling the gaps between your teeth to preventing bone loss.
Stable Condition
The patient must be in good general health. Diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease might impair the bone’s healing capacity. This will limit the implant’s ability to fuse with the jawbone (osseointegration).
Looking for a Permanent Option
Patients looking for a permanent option can undergo an implant-supported denture treatment. These kinds of dentures can be detachable and also permanent. An implant-supported denture can be a permanent option for replacing many teeth. It offers stability that prevents your dentures from slipping, unlike traditional dentures that are only attached by adhesive.
Do Not Prefer Traditional Dentures
Many people who have traditional dentures have trouble getting them to fit properly as the form of their mouth and the height of their gums might change. These changes can cause slippage or loose dentures. Denture adhesives may be an option to stabilise it, but they won’t last long.
If your dentures aren’t fitting properly in your mouth, implant-supported dentures may be a good option. It is a permanent procedure that requires more stability to prevent dentures from slipping out.
When is Bone Grafting Necessary for Implant-Supported Dentures?
The patient’s jawbone must be healthy and ready for installation before receiving implant-supported dentures. During the initial consultation, the dentist may recommend a bone graft if the patient has underlying concerns such as bone loss, thin bones, or a lack of strength in the jawbone. There will be bone grafts that will be used as the implant’s base, increasing its strength and density so it can hold the implant in place.
What Happens During the Implant-Supported Denture Procedure?
Step 1: Implant Placement
The screw-like dental implants made of titanium are surgically placed in the jawbone to replace the tooth’s natural root. Each implant is placed into the gums and jawbone through a small incision.
Step 2: Osseointegration
The initial healing process may take 1-2 weeks after the implants have been placed. However, it may take 3 – 6 months before the implant fully bonds with the bone and becomes a natural part of your mouth. This process is called osseointegration and can take longer depending on your case.
Step 3: Hardware Attachment
Once the gums have healed, the dentist will reopen the gum tissue to expose the dental implant. Then they will attach the snap, bar, or abutment to the titanium implant. The dental implant’s hardware is then installed, and the gums are given two weeks to recover around the abutment.
Step 4: Tooth Restoration
The custom-made dentures are then fixed to the hardware that is linked to the implant. The making of dentures will now start to be attached to the implant.
Step 5: The Denture Fabrication Process
Your dentist will begin fabricating your dentures while having your dental implants placed. The following steps are involved in the production of dentures:
- Impressions. If your gums have fully healed and are in good condition, your dentist can take impressions of your upper and lower teeth using digital technology or dental putty. It will create a plaster model of your mouth and then be placed in an articulator.
- Model prosthetics creation. Before your final dentures are made, your dentist may create a wax model and carve it to examine the fit and appearance. The dentures will now be placed in a holding device called a flask.
- Fabrication of final dentures. Once the acrylic has been polished, the teeth are crowned. The prosthetic will be made of durable and natural-looking dental materials.
- Adjustments. After your final dentures are made, the dentist may adjust the fit or look of the dentures to fit your mouth. It will then be attached to the dental implants for the complete look of implant-supported dentures.
Step 6: After Treatment
After the installation of implant-supported dentures, the dentist may require aftercare instructions. The patient should brush and floss their teeth, gums, and tongue twice a day. Doing this can prevent food debris from entering the gaps between your teeth and reduce the possible risks of tooth decay. Patients with dentures should also have dental visits every six months to the dentist. By following these care instructions, you can help your dentures last longer and avoid problems in the future.
How Do Implant-Supported Dentures Help with the Poor Stability of Lower Dentures?
Dentures with implants are frequently used in the lower jaw, where regular dentures might be unstable. Implant-Supported Dentures are made with a titanium screw that replaces the tooth root. It is placed directly into the jawbone, giving a rock-solid foundation for a single crown or a complete denture.
By permanently fusing into your jaw, these implants can improve the stability of lower dentures. They won’t move while you eat or talk, so you can talk and eat without having to worry about your dentures falling out.
Can You Get an Implant-Supported Denture with Poor Bone Support in the Jaw?
When you’ve been missing a tooth for a long time, your body will gradually reabsorb the bone tissue from the area. A removable denture, as well as a detachable or fixed bridge, will not prevent bone loss. It is not implanted into the jaw bone and does not correctly transfer force to the bone.
The bone must be strong enough to sustain the implant and endure the forces of chewing and other daily activities. If not, the bone might not be strong enough to support the implant.
Adding bone through grafting can be an alternative if you don’t have enough jaw tissue to support a dental implant. This procedure involves taking your bones from other areas of your body. Bones that aren’t needed will be grafted to your jaw bone to build enough volume to support an implant. The healing process may take 3 – 6 months for the bone to become strong enough to support an implant. Depending on your situation, there might be a difference in healing time.
This procedure can prepare patients with deficient jawbones to receive implants. It may not work for every patient, especially if severe trauma or infection affects the area. You should speak to your dentist to find out if bone grafting is necessary.
Are There Any Drawbacks to Implant-Supported Dentures?
While there are many advantages to getting implant-supported dentures, they may not be for everybody. There are a few things you should consider before proceeding with implant procedures.
Long Healing Process
The estimated healing time for placing a dental implant can vary drastically, depending on the patient. It will take four to six months before all the bone has healed and bonded with your new tooth. Dentists may provide medications and care instructions that help speed up this process and maintain your oral health.
Bone Grafting May Be Necessary
Performing surgery is necessary for getting implant-supported dentures. This is because implants need to be fused into the jawbone for support. Bone grafting may be needed for people who don’t have enough bone in their jaws.
They Cost More Than Traditional Dentures
The cost of an implant-supported denture might vary depending on several factors. Some of these factors that can affect the cost are the number of implants, how they’re prepared, what kind of tray and crowns they use, and how many times they have to come back to finish.
You Must Have Sufficient Jawbone Density
Patients with low bone density might not be good candidates for dental implants. As soon as their teeth are lost, the jawbone begins to shrink away and may not be able to hold dental implants. If there is not enough bone density left to support implants, bone grafting may be recommended before implant surgery.
What Is the Difference Between Denture Implants & Traditional Dentures?
Traditional dentures are a cost-effective option when it comes to tooth replacement options. Partial dentures are suitable for those missing a few teeth, while complete dentures are suitable for those who have lost all their teeth.
Traditional dentures are known for their poor stability. These oral prosthetics are held in place by suction forces using dental adhesives. This type of denture can lead to sore spots on the soft tissues in the mouth and can shift. Denture wearers may find this uncomfortable and worry about their dentures falling out.
None of these issues exist with implant-supported dentures. Dentures are connected to the implants after the patient receives four to six implants on each half of their jaw. The dentures can be removable so that the patient can clean them each night or have special dentures permanently attached.
Implant dentures need up to six months to fuse with the bone structures surrounding them. The procedure is known as osseointegration, and by the end of it, the implants will have fused with the patient’s jaw. When a person bites down on something, the pressure on the implants stimulates the jawbone, preventing degeneration. This is the bone tissue breakdown that occurs when teeth are lost, which can cause wrinkles on the face and a sunken appearance.
Final Thoughts
There are wide range of options to fill the gaps in your teeth and improve your smile. Implant denture treatment is a great option as it offers more stability and is a cost-effective treatment. This procedure prevents bone loss, as implants act as natural roots that can keep your teeth intact. Before starting the denture implant process, we will assess your condition to know if you are a fit candidate and what kind of treatment is best for you.
At Ashburton Dental Centre, we can provide various options in restorative dentistry, giving patients the high-quality solutions they deserve. Our goal is to give our patients a comfortable experience during the installation of implant dentures. With our friendly team, we will help assess your needs.
Call us today at (08) 9516 1003 to learn more about how you can gain more confidence in your replacement teeth.
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