Am I a Candidate for Implant Dentures?
Ideal candidates for implant dentures include individuals who are missing most or all of their teeth and are seeking a more stable, long-term solution in comparison to traditional dentures. Good candidates typically are in reasonably good overall health and have an adequate amount of jawbone density to accommodate the implants. Patients must also be non-smokers or willing to quit the habit, as smoking can interfere with healing and implant integration with the jawbone. Individuals who have certain uncontrolled medical conditions, as well as those who may be currently undergoing radiation therapy or chemotherapy, may not be ideal candidates at this time. For patients who have periodontal (gum) disease, treatment for that condition will need to be performed before a potential implant denture procedure in order to improve the health of the gums. A thorough dental evaluation and imaging such as X-rays or CT scans can help determine the jawbone’s condition and suitability for implants. Our dentists at Spring Lake Dental care can meet with you for an initial consultation to confirm your candidacy based on individual health factors, dental history, and whether this solution is the best treatment for your needs and goals.
Implant-Supported Dentures vs. Traditional Dentures
Implant-supported dentures take the benefits of two popular missing teeth replacement options, dental implants and traditional dentures, and puts them together to provide a more secure and stable solution. Traditional dentures rest on the gums and can be prone to slipping or causing discomfort, especially when eating or speaking. This typically requires patients to utilize denture adhesives for improved stability. In contrast, implant-supported dentures are anchored to strategically placed titanium implants inserted into the jawbone. The implants can create a strong foundation for a custom denture, reducing the potential for movement and slippage along the gums to enhance comfort and functionality. Implant-supported dentures can provide improved chewing and speaking efficiency while producing results that look and feel as natural as possible. Additionally, compared to traditional dentures, implant dentures can help preserve jawbone density, and they can be cleaned and maintained in ways more like one would use for their natural teeth. Overall, this hybridized form of teeth replacement can eliminate some of the drawbacks of traditional dentures and help patients enjoy a more secure, comfortable, and functional set of teeth.
What Are My Implant Denture Options?
Our practice offers a variety of options when it comes to implant-supported dentures. Depending on your needs, we can provide implant dentures for an isolated area of missing teeth or for entire rows of missing teeth. Implant denture techniques include:
All-on-4®
If a full set of dentures is required, the All-on-4® technique may be the ideal procedure. All-on-4® involves the placement of a total of four implants on the upper and/or lower arch to anchor your dentures with the best possible stability. This treatment can be an effective measure for patients who are not candidates for a full set of dental implants and for those who desire better security for their dentures but do not want to replace each of their missing teeth with a dental implant.
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All-on-6
The All-on-6 implant denture technique is basically the same concept as All-on-4®; however, this option utilizes two extra dental implants per arch to secure the dentures. In some cases, patients may need these additional implants due to the overall quality of jawbone density and other factors that are important to provide the best possible comfort and security for the denture. Our dentist will evaluate your needs and determine whether the All-on-4® or All-on-6 method is the most ideal treatment for you.
Full Mouth Restoration
A full mouth restoration with implant dentures involves the replacement of missing teeth on both the upper and lower arches. This procedure can be beneficial for patients who need full sets of dentures on both rows of teeth. The All-on-4® method can often be utilized for full mouth restoration, placing four implants on the upper arch and four on the lower arch for a total of eight dental implants.
In addition to implant-supported dentures, our practice offers a number of advanced restorative dentistry procedures that can help patients looking for effective missing teeth replacement options. During your initial consultation, our dentist will talk with you about the most ideal treatment for your needs. If you are not a candidate for implant dentures, we will be happy to provide you with information on alternatives that can help you attain your goals.