Replacing Missing Teeth With Implant Retained or Supported Dentures
When you have lost your natural teeth, a variety of complications can arise that can impact your physical and emotional health – beyond just your smile. After losing all your teeth you may find it difficult to speak clearly, chew your favorite foods, and you may feel embarrassed by your smile. Another complication that happens following the extraction of all your teeth is the continuous loss of jawbone that will cause your facial appearance to collapse.
Complete dentures are an important part of restoring your smile’s appearance. But, they can be challenging for some people to wear. Often times pain and lack of proper function result. The team at Levenson Periodontal Associates can provide solutions that will allow your dentist to make a denture that is both comfortable and properly supported to provide relief for ill fitting dentures.
Implant retained or implant supported dentures can replace both upper and lower teeth, giving you a secure, natural-looking option that is not only more comfortable but also more convenient and secure than traditional dentures.
What if I’m missing all of my lower teeth?
Ball Attachment or Locator-Attached Denture
A ball attachment or locator-attached denture is an implant supported solution to replace lower teeth. This type of denture utilizes as few as two dental implants as anchors for the denture. Complete lower dentures “snap” on to these attachment points, giving you teeth that allow for more natural function since they have improved retention. This denture comes out for you to clean and for your gums to be checked on a regular basis by your general dentist. It is important that you brush and keep clean the attachments to assure healthy gums and bone around the implants. It is also important that you keep your denture clean. There are nylon caps on the underside of this denture that connect to the implant attachments, these can wear overtime and your dentist can replace them. They should be replaced yearly for best fit and function.
Screw-Retained Denture
Screw-retained dentures offer patients the most secure replacement when you are missing all of your teeth in one or both arches. This type of implant supported denture uses four or more implants. The denture is affixed to these anchors with screws, meaning they are exceptionally secure – they also will not be removed for daily cleaning. Instead, you will be able to clean around and under the teeth, along your gums. This cleaning is more challenging for some, but the overall solution provides a more secure solution. This type of denture needs regular maintenance from your dentist to maintain their quality and fit.
What If I’m Missing All Of My Upper Teeth?
The bones in your upper jaw differ from those in your lower jaw, however, those needing a complete set of upper dentures still have a variety of solutions. In some cases, dentures can be placed in such a way as to eliminate the need for the dental appliance to extend across and cover the roof of your mouth. This gives you a more natural experience when you eat or speak. Upper dentures that are retained by implants have greater retention just like lower dentures with implants, and are similarly removed for cleaning or maintenance. As always, a custom fit is required.
Benefits of Implant Retained or Implant Supported Dentures
- Improved Confidence – Implant retained/supported dentures look and feel more like natural teeth.
- Stability During Eating – Thanks to multiple secure anchor points, implant retained/supported dentures are less likely to shift in your mouth when you eat.
- Bone and Gum Preservation – By keeping the supportive structures of your mouth engaged, implant retained/supported dentures help preserve jawbone while improving function and appearance.
- Improved Dental Hygiene – Implant retained/supported dentures may be a more hygienic tooth-replacement solution for many patients.
- Improved Esthetics – Implant retained/supported dentures are customized to fit the natural look of your face and smile.
- Nutritional Benefits – Implant retained/supported dentures allow you to eat a more well-rounded diet.
The Difference Between Implant Retained Dentures and Implant Supported Dentures
Implant supported dentures are “supported” by the implants while Implant retained dentures are “retained” by the implants. Implant supported dentures are usually more secure and generally cost more due to the increased amount of fixtures needed to retain the denture in place. Drs. Ira and Lori can discuss these differences with you at your consultation appointment so you will leave with a full understanding of your options.
How Much Do Implant Dentures Cost?
Implant retained/support dentures are more affordable than you may think, and may provide long-term savings when it comes to giving you a more permanent solution to missing teeth. We also offer a variety of payment options which we will walk you through during your consultation. Click below to contact our front office team for more information.