Implant Denture Specialist

What are implant-supported dentures?

Dentures — prosthetic teeth that are attached to pink acrylic gums — typically sit on top of your gums. While they look similar to natural teeth, dentures can shift in your mouth if they don’t fit perfectly. This can lead to a number of uncomfortable problems, including painful gums and mouth sores.

An implant-supported denture is an overdenture that eliminates many of these concerns, holding your dentures in place with dental implants — small titanium posts that screw directly into your tooth-supporting jawbone and replace your natural tooth roots.

What are the benefits of implant-supported dentures?

Some of the most common implant denture benefits include:

Stability

While conventional dentures sit on top of your gums, implant-supported dentures are anchored in place by dental implants. This added stability helps your dentures look, feel, and function just like your natural teeth.

Easier eating

One of the most frustrating difficulties with conventional dentures is eating. Because they have little to no stability, conventional dentures shift when you chew. For many people, this means sticking to soft foods. Implants hold your dentures firmly in place, so you can eat all your favorite foods once again.

Oral health

Without tooth roots, your jawbone can start to shrink over time. This type of bone resorption is hard to prevent and ultimately leads to poor-fitting dentures. Without proper treatment, you may need to have your dentures readjusted. Fortunately, dental implants provide just the stimulation you need to avoid bone resorption. As a result, your jawbone maintains its shape and your dentures stay firmly in place.

Appearance

When your dentures keep shifting, it’s hard to feel confident about chewing, smiling, and speaking in public. Because implant-supported dentures hold your prosthetic teeth in place, they look and feel as comfortable as your natural teeth.

How are implant-supported dentures placed?

First, the Northwest Dental team uses X-rays to make sure you have enough tooth-supporting jawbone for implants. If you don’t, they may recommend a bone graft prior to your implant surgery.

When you arrive for your implant surgery, the Northwest Dental team numbs your mouth with local anesthesia. Next, they surgically insert the implant into your gums and jawbone. It takes approximately 6-12 weeks for your mouth to fully heal from the surgery. During this time, the implants naturally bond to your jawbone.

If you don’t already have dentures, the Northwest Dental team takes highly accurate impressions of your mouth to create a set for you. At your final visit, the team connects the dentures to your implants permanently.

Implant-supported dentures function just like your natural teeth. To find out if you’re a good candidate, call Northwest Dental or schedule an appointment online.