What Are Implant Retained Dentures?
Thanks to advances in modern dentistry, losing your teeth does not have to be the end of the world. There are many tooth replacement options available to choose from to help restore your smile. You no longer have to deal with the embarrassment of having missing teeth. Too many options to choose from? Don’t worry, your dentist will help you determine which tooth replacement option is right for you. One option you may want to consider is implant retained dentures. This type of denture is designed to be more secure, comfortable, and durable than conventional dentures. Below is more information on implant retained dentures to help you determine if they are the right option for you.
Implant Retained Dentures
Unlike a conventional denture that rests unattached on top of the gums, an implant retained denture is designed to clip or snap onto dental implants installed in the jawbone. Generally, dentures are a good replacement option for patients who have few or no remaining teeth. If the mouth and jaw bones are healthy enough, a dentist may recommend implant retained dentures instead of conventional dentures. It is important for the jawbone to be healthy for the implants to be effectively installed into the bone. Because they are attached to the implants, these dentures are secure and stable, providing a much-improved experience over conventional dentures.
How Do Implant Retained Dentures Work?
Similar to conventional dentures, implant retained dentures are made with an acrylic base that is designed to look like gums with artificial teeth attached made from porcelain or acrylic. While there are several different types of implant retained dentures, the common theme is that the dentures are affixed to dental implants in the jawbone to provide the support and reinforcement of natural teeth. Two common types are:
- Bar-retained dentures: For this type, a thin metal support bar runs along the gumline and attaches to the dental implants placed in the jawbone.
- Ball-retained dentures: For this type, the denture attaches into a metal socket
The Steps to Getting Implant Retained Dentures
Getting implant-retained dentures only requires a minimally invasive procedure. Before deciding if they are right for you, it helps to understand the implant installation and denture fitting process. Here are the steps involved:
- Step 1: First, the implants need to be placed in the jawbone. Having implants installed takes a few months up to a year. This installation requires two procedures and time for healing. During the first procedure, the implants are securely installed into the jawbone. During the second procedure, the tops of the implants are exposed from the gumline.
- Step 2: The dentures are designed based on implant measurements
- Step 3: The dentures are fitted securely to the implants
There are many available tooth replacement options, and deciding which option is best for you may be a challenge. Implant retained dentures are a great solution to replace a number of missing teeth. If you are considering dentures, you should have a conversation with your dentist about implant retained dentures.