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Implant-Supported Dentures

What Are Implant-Supported Dentures?

Are you a current or potential wearer of traditional dentures, but interested in a more convenient and comfortable alternative to tooth replacement and smile enhancement? Traditional dentures can sometimes cause gum irritation, require time-consuming maintenance, and move, slip, or even fall out of your mouth. If you are experiencing these issues—or if you wish to avoid these problems altogether—implant-supported dentures may be the perfect solution.

Also known as implant dentures or anchored dentures, implant-supported dentures are full arch tooth restorations designed to replace entire rows of missing or badly damaged teeth. Unlike removable dentures, implant dentures are anchored in place via dental implants, allowing for a more comfortable and stronger fit.

At Innovative Dental of Springfield, our skilled cosmetic dentist—Dr. Grant Olson—offers several full mouth restoration options using truly innovative techniques. With his advanced training and extensive experience, Dr. Olson can give you new teeth that look, feel, and function more like natural, permanent parts of your mouth.

If you are interested in learning more about implant-supported dentures, we invite you to continue reading the informative sections provided throughout this page, or simply contact Innovative Dental today to schedule a consultation.

What Are the Benefits of Implant-Supported Dentures?

Anchored dentures can be an effective treatment option for many patients who are looking for an alternative to traditional dentures. Among numerous benefits, implant-supported dentures can:

  • Eliminate the need for messy adhesives
  • Prevent dentures from slipping out of place
  • Increase comfort and denture stability
  • Be easily maintained—you do not have to remove the dentures to clean them
  • Restore teeth functionality and the ability to eat and chew normally
  • Minimize gum irritation
  • Achieve a more natural look and feel

Who is a Candidate for Implant Dentures?

Ideal candidates for implant dentures are those who need to replace all of the teeth on one or both dental arches. Many current traditional denture patients make the switch to implant dentures for improved comfort, function, and aesthetics. However, in order to ensure the highest possibility of treatment success, it is important that patients have good overall oral health and sufficient jawbone density to support the implants. During your consultation, one of our dentists will thoroughly assess your bite, jaw, and oral structures in order to determine whether you are a good candidate for implant-supported dentures. In cases where patients are not good candidates, we can discuss alternative full-arch replacement solutions with you.

What Are The Advantages of Implant-Supported Dentures Over Traditional Dentures?

Implant-supported dentures are often considered a more convenient and natural-looking solution to tooth loss due to their many advantages over traditional dentures, including enhanced comfort, security, and aesthetics. Traditional dentures can still provide an effective solution to tooth loss for many patients, but since they are removable, they often require significant amounts of maintenance, such as cleaning, sanitizing, and applying new adhesives. By contrast, implant dentures are anchored securely in the mouth using dental implants, and they can be cared for in essentially the same way that you would care for your natural teeth—regular brushing and flossing along with routine professional cleanings.

One of the major potential consequences associated with missing teeth is bone resorption, a process in which the body begins reabsorbing jawbone tissue. This loss of jawbone density can cause bite misalignment, further tooth loss, and even changes in facial proportions. An implant-anchored prosthesis can help prevent these changes, as dental implants stimulate the underlying bone and tissue in the mouth, preventing further jaw deterioration and preserving your facial structures. Traditional dentures merely sit on top of the gumline, and many patients end up needing new denture prosthetics over time due to changes in their jaw and face shape caused by resorption. Implant dentures also mitigate much of the gum irritation associated with traditional dentures, as they are fixed in place and should not slip or move around within the mouth.

Ultimately, both traditional and implant dentures offer a viable solution to missing or severely damaged teeth. During a consultation, Dr. Olson will discuss candidacy, benefits, and possible denture alternatives with you in order to help determine what the ideal full arch replacement option is for your needs. Contact Innovative Dental today to learn more or to schedule an appointment.

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What Are My Full Arch Restoration Options?

Dentures

Traditional dentures have been a go-to solution for full arch replacement for decades, and they continue to be an effective teeth replacement option for many people. The denture appliance consists of a new set of custom-fabricated teeth that are then mounted on a base that is designed to resemble natural gum tissue. Prior to the creation of your dentures, your dentist will take numerous digital scans and impressions of your mouth to maximize the comfort and fit of the appliance. Since traditional dentures are removable, the prosthetic is held in place using oral adhesives, and it must be removed for daily cleanings. 

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Full Arch Dental Implants

For some patients, it may be possible to replace all of the missing teeth on an arch with dental implants. Dental implants are designed to replace the full structure of a tooth, including the root. Out of all available tooth replacement options, they typically look, feel, and function the most like natural teeth. That said, depending on how many teeth are missing, it is rarely recommended for patients to replace each individual tooth with an implant. Instead, a full arch rehabilitation plan will often involve a mix of single-tooth dental implants, implant bridges, and either full or partial implant dentures. 

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Implant-Supported Dentures

Also known as All-on-4®, All-on-6, and anchored dentures, implant dentures are an innovative solution to full mouth reconstruction that allow patients to combine the coverage of a denture with the security and convenience of dental implants. Using advanced surgically guided dental implant placement techniques, your dentist can precisely locate just a few implants—typically between 4 and 6 per arch—that will then be used to anchor a custom prosthetic. 

Dental implants are designed to fuse with the jawbone, making them a permanent part of your mouth. This means that—unlike traditional dentures—your new denture appliance does not need to be removed and can be cared for just like your natural teeth. Furthermore, because they are anchored in place, implant dentures should not slip or move around in your mouth, meaning that they typically look and feel more natural and are more aesthetically pleasing than traditional dentures.

What Can I Expect During the Implant-Supported Denture Process?

During your first appointment, Dr. Olson will assess your jawbone density and overall oral health in exceptional detail utilizing advanced Galileos™ 3D imaging. If it is determined you are a good candidate for implant dentures, he will then use the Galileos™ system to precisely plan treatment—including the identification of optimal locations and angulatures for successful implant placement.

At the time of surgery, Dr. Olson will insert the implant posts through the gums and into the jawbone tissue to simulate tooth “roots.” The precise number of implants needed to anchor your prosthesis will depend on a variety of factors, which Dr. Olson will discuss in further detail during your consultation. However, the average number ranges between 4 and 6 implants per arch. Over the next few months, the implants should completely fuse to the bone through a process called osseointegration, ultimately serving as a permanent, stable support for the denture(s). To aid —and even expedite—this process, Dr. Olson can often use advanced technology from Nobel Biocare that helps facilitate rapid fusion between the implant and the jawbone for quicker restorative results and exemplary stability. When the implants have fully fused to the jawbone, the final denture can be secured, completing the treatment.

In the end, your new teeth should look and function much like your natural teeth. You can also clean and maintain your implant-supported dentures the same way you maintain your natural teeth through regular brushing, flossing, and routine dental check-ups.

How Long Do Implant Dentures Last?

With proper care, your implant-supported dentures can last for decades or even a lifetime. The dental implants used to secure the restoration are designed to fuse fully with the jawbone, effectively becoming a permanent part of your mouth. This creates a strong, stable foundation for your denture appliance, which is also fabricated using top-of-the-line dental materials. While your dentures are designed to be highly durable, the biting and chewing surfaces can still accumulate wear over time. If this occurs, your dentist can help you determine if a new prosthetic is necessary. Since the implants themselves are a permanent part of your mouth, a new set of dentures can typically be placed without the need for further surgery.

How Do I Clean My Implant Dentures?

Since implant dentures are securely affixed within the mouth, they should be cared for much like your natural teeth. Regular brushing and flossing, a healthy diet, and routine professional cleanings can help optimize your oral health and keep your dentures in good condition. While attending to your oral hygiene routine, it is especially important to brush and floss thoroughly, paying close attention to the gums and gaps between the teeth. A good alcohol-free mouthwash can help further reduce bacterial buildup and keep your mouth feeling fresh and clean.

How Much Do Implant-Supported Dentures Cost?

Due to the customization involved in the implant denture process, the total cost of treatment varies from patient to patient. Some of the most common factors that can influence pricing for implant-supported dentures from one practice to another include:

  • How many dental implants are needed
  • The quality of materials and technology utilized
  • Whether tooth removal and/or other preliminary treatments are required
  • The complexity of the overall treatment plan
  • The training, skill, and experience of the dentist
  • Any insurance coverage available through one’s dental healthcare plan

At Innovative Dental, we never want the cost of treatment to stand in the way of your smile goals, which is why we partner with LendingClub® and CareCredit® to offer various financing options that can bring the price of implant dentures into virtually any budget. You can conveniently apply online for the payment plan of your choice, or if desired, a member of our team can help you get started on the application process at the time of your visit.

Learn More About Implant-Supported Dentures

If you have any additional questions about implant-supported dentures, or if you are interested in scheduling a comprehensive consultation with Dr. Olson, please contact us today.