For a long time, dentures were the only sensible way to restore a set of missing teeth. Dentures always have had a litany of flaws, but there really wasn’t a better alternative. If you wanted to have a full smile after losing a lot of teeth, you had to live with loose-fitting, uncomfortable and inconvenient dentures.
As time has passed and dental technology has moved forward, a better solution has arrived. Implant supported dentures, also known as overdentures, is a more effective and efficient way to get a mouth full of teeth back. University Dental in San Diego specializes in overdentures, offering premium service at an affordable price.
Implant supported dentures, also called overdentures, are a great solution for replacing a full arch or full mouth of missing teeth. They involve natural-looking teeth and gums in a horseshoe shaped prosthetic, which is attached to the mouth with four to six implants anchored to the jawbone. The implants are made of titanium screws inserted under the gumline that will eventually fuse to the jawbone. Many implant supported dentures snap on and off for superior security and functionality.
Overdentures are a huge improvement over standard dentures, as they fix many of the problems that arise from using standard dentures. Here are a few of the many benefits that come with using implant-supported dentures.
The most immediate advantage of implant supported dentures is the restoration of your full, bright smile, but there are several long-term benefits as well. Without the support of teeth and their roots, the jawbone begins to deteriorate over time, which is why traditional dentures must be replaced often for a better fit. Implant supported dentures help maintain jawbone density, and will last as long as they are properly cared for. Other benefits of implant supported dentures include:
Whether you’ve lost teeth due to injury, decay, or age, implant-supported dentures can restore the look and functionality of a full set of teeth. Most patients are good candidates for implant supported dentures, although certain oral health and general health issues might have to be addressed first. Patients must have sufficient jawbone density to support the implants, but if you don’t, you can undergo a bone graft procedure beforehand. Likewise, if you have gum disease or other periodontal issues, you’ll need to receive treatment before any implant surgery takes place. As for general health considerations, patients must be healthy enough for surgery. If you are in the process of receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer, you’ll have to wait until the treatment is complete to get implant supported dentures.
The options available for implant supported dentures depend on how many implants are involved. All-on-4 implant dentures use four implants per arch, and in many cases all the implants can be placed on the same day. All-on-6 implant dentures use six implants per arch, a great option for patients with less than ideal bone density. There are also partial denture options available to replace a few missing teeth if an entire arch is not needed.
After an initial consultation to determine whether you are a good candidate for implant supported dentures and which implant option is right for you, your dentist will take advanced digital impressions of your mouth. This is to ensure the best placement for the implants, and to create a customized denture appliance that will be fabricated at a dental lab. During the day of the surgery, the dentist will make incisions in the gums and insert the implants. This will require ample time for healing and allowing the implants to fuse to the jawbone before attaching the permanent set of dentures. In the meantime, you will wear a temporary device.
Implant supported dentures are strong, durable, and long lasting. Many patients wear them for decades. To ensure you get the most out of your dentures, it’s important to clean them regularly and also maintain a good oral health routine for any remaining natural teeth. Even if you have implant supported dentures on both arches, you should still see your dentist regularly to check on the health of your gums and any other potential dental issues that might come up.
Getting implant supported dentures is an individual process with customized treatment plans. The cost of the procedure will depend on several factors, including the number of implants, the complexity of the treatment, and whether you need additional procedures such as bone grafts beforehand. After a comprehensive exam and consultation, your dentist will be able to determine an estimated cost for the procedure, but in general the cost for implant supported dentures is much less than getting several individual dental implants.
If you need to replace a full arch or full mouth of teeth, implant supported dentures are an affordable, durable option to restore your full, bright smile and the ability to eat the foods you want. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call University Dental at (619) 582-4224.
Dr. Hage is very detail oriented, has a passion for technology, constantly invests in new cutting-edge equipment and has more than 1000 successful dental implant surgeries in his resume. Dr. Hage is well known for over-engineering dental treatment plans often at no extra charge for patients. He believes in Quality Dental Works Without Compromise.
Dr. Armin Hage – Professional Training & Associations
American Dental Association
California Dental Association
San Diego County Dental Society
International Academy Of Dental Implantology