How Do Implant-Supported Dentures Work?

Implant-support dentures are one of the most significant innovations in modern dentistry. These prosthetics combine dental implants – which are one of the more expensive prosthetics installed by dentists – with dentures, which are one of the cheapest tooth replacement options. The price gap between dentures and implants is so large, the cost of replacing a single tooth with an implant can be more than replacing all of your natural teeth with dentures.

That creates a massive problem for many people since implants are clearly the best way to replace lost teeth. The implant replaces the lost tooth and its roots, which prevent the patient's jawbone from deteriorating as is usually the case when a tooth falls out. Other prosthetics like dentures and bridges do not replace the lost tooth roots. Implants are not only preferred because they prevent the breakdown of the patient's jawbone; they are as close as an oral prosthetic can get to a real tooth. There is no specialized cleaning required, it looks and functions like a real tooth, and it can last the rest of the patient's life with good oral hygiene.

Dentures are better than living with missing teeth, but they do come with tiresome cleaning requirements. These devices are also prone to slipping in the wearer's mouth, often leading to sores. Then comes implant-supported dentures.

How implant-supported dentures work

Implant-supported dentures combine the stability of implants with the affordability of dentures. Instead of traditional dentures, dentists create specialized sets which they then secure with implants. Wearers can remove some implant-supported dentures, while others are permanently attached to the implants.

What to expect when getting implant-supported dentures

Once a patient decides that they would like implant-supported dentures, the dentist will determine if they are eligible for the treatment. The patient needs to have enough healthy jawbone tissue to hold the implant in place. The dentist might recommend bone grafts if the patient needs extra bone tissue. During the installation, the dentist will administer an anesthetic, and they will drill up to 6 holes on each side of the person's jaw. They will then insert the implants snugly into these holes. The implants then require up to six months to fuse correctly with the person's jawbone. When osseointegration – the process of the implant fusing with the jawbone – is complete, the unique set of dentures are attached to the implants. The patient will need to come in for a follow-up visit so the dentist can observe how they are adjusting to their new artificial teeth.

The benefits of implant-supported dentures over traditional dentures

Benefits of securing dentures with implants include:

• Implant-supported dentures hold firmly in place. It does not slip, and the wearer does not have to worry about it falling out
• Permanently-fixed implant-supported dentures do not require specialized cleaning
• It prevents bone tissue loss
• The wearer can enjoy a broader range of foods
• An excellent option for those who have lost all of their teeth

Restore your smile with implant-supported dentures

Thanks to these devices, people who have lost all of their teeth now have an affordable way to replace them that will not burden them with a time-consuming cleaning routine. Stop by our clinic to learn more about implant supported dentures.

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Request an appointment here: https://www.preferreddentalcenter.com or call Preferred Dental Center at (210) 822-8500 for an appointment in our San Antonio office.

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