Implant Dentures — Mesquite, TX
Combining the Convenience of Dentures with Dental Implants
With approximately 40 million American adults missing all their permanent teeth, today’s modern dentures are better than ever. Still, the temporary nature of these prosthetics often leaves a lot to be desired, especially when compared with the permanent stability of dental implants.
The great news is that now dentures can be combined with dental implants to provide optimal functionality, comfort, and longevity, all without having to replace each tooth with individual dental implants.
At Soliel Dental Mesquite, we are proud to place our patients’ dental implants in-office, with the assistance of high-resolution imaging with our I-CAT 3D Cone Beam Scanner.
What Are Implant Dentures?
Dental implants are permanent tooth replacements that are inserted into the jawbone to permanently replace missing teeth. Implant dentures combine the convenience of a single prosthetic for each arch with dental implants, so you can replace all your missing teeth on an arch with just a few dental implants instead of replacing each individually or dealing with traditional dentures.
The benefits of this method are that your smile is more lifelike, comfortable, and even functional than it would be with dentures that simply sit atop your gums. Depending on your unique needs and individual preferences, Dr. Vazquez and Dr. Aldana may recommend one of two types of implant dentures during your consultation.
Fixed/Permanent Implant Dentures
Fixed implant dentures are designed to stay firmly in place in your mouth and can only be removed by your dentist. Typically, these require four to six strategically placed and positioned dental implants in your jawbone and can permanently support a full denture. Many patients prefer this type because it allows them to forget they even have dentures, but they do require you to have more jawbone density.
Removable Implant Dentures
Removable implant dentures are sometimes referred to as “snap-on” dentures. While they still are firmly rooted in place via dental implants, removable implant dentures use clips or ball-sockets so the patient can easily remove them when needed. They do still need to be removed daily for cleaning, but they usually only require two to five dental implants.
The Implant Denture Procedure
At Soliel Dental Mesquite, we are proud to place dental implants in-office, so you needn’t worry about traveling from office to office to complete your treatment. Your implant denture journey begins first with a consultation with Dr. Vazquez or Dr. Aldana. At this time, you may be recommended to undergo some preliminary treatments to get your mouth and jaws healthy enough for surgery. Once these treatments are completed and your mouth is healed, you will be ready for dental implant surgery.
Following the surgical procedure, you will need to wait for six to nine months for your dental implants to successfully complete osseointegration with your jawbones. After this step, you will return for a second procedure to get your implant abutments, and following a shorter healing period, you will return for the final denture.
Though this is a bit more involved than simply getting a traditional denture, the benefits of implant dentures are well worth the time!
Am I a Candidate for Implant Dentures?
The great news is that most adults in good oral and overall health are excellent candidates for implant dentures, especially those who are tired of dealing with traditional dentures. During your consultation, we will review your specific needs and goals before explaining all your options and our recommendations.
To be a good candidate, you’ll need to be in good enough health to undergo minor surgery, and your smile will need to be free of any oral health issues like cavities or gum disease. You will also need to have enough jawbone density for your preferred type of implant denture.
If necessary, we’re happy to help you schedule a bone graft procedure or any other preliminary treatments required to get your mouth into optimal health.
Benefits of Combining Dentures & Dental Implants
While implant dentures do take more time and money initially than traditional dentures, they offer a wide range of benefits that removable prosthetics simply can’t touch, including:
- Jawbone stimulation helps preserve bone density.
- Greater biteforce allows you to eat a wide variety of nutritious foods and reduce your risk of malnutrition.
- Fixed implant dentures are easier to clean than traditional dentures and don’t need to be removed at night.
- Implant dentures won’t slip out when you’re speaking, chewing, or smiling like traditional dentures can.
- Because they do not sit on your gums, they will not cause gum sores or irritation like traditional dentures can.
- More affordable than replacing an entire arch of teeth with individual dental implants.