Implant-Supported Dentures

Traditional dentures often cause people discomfort due to movement and slippage along the gums. In addition, traditional dentures typically require the inconvenience of messy pastes or adhesives. Implant-supported dentures allow our patients at Spring Lake Dental Care to replace their traditional dentures with a stronger and more reliable missing teeth replacement option. The implant denture technique used by our dentists in New Jersey can restore the appearance and function of your teeth with natural-looking results.

What Are Implant-Supported Dentures?

Implant-supported dentures can replace multiple sets of missing teeth on the upper and/or lower arches. Instead of utilizing putties and adhesives to keep the dentures in place, an implant-supported denture uses a dental implant to secure the denture and significantly reduce the potential for movement or slippage along the gums. This technique anchors your denture to the jawbone, providing it with greater stability.

Dental implants are essentially artificial tooth roots. The implants will be strategically placed in the area of missing teeth, where they should fuse to the jawbone over time, ultimately becoming a permanent part of your mouth. Each set of dentures is firmly affixed to the implants for reduced movement along the gums and a more natural fit, without the need for dental adhesives.

What Can Implant-Supported Dentures Do for My Smile?

The dental implants used to anchor the denture offer superior stability compared to traditional dentures. This added stability also allows you to enjoy foods that are often prohibited or problematic with traditional dentures. Since only four dental implants are required to replace an entire set of teeth, implant-supported dentures can be a more cost-effective form of tooth replacement. Implant-supported dentures are also ideal for patients interested in dental implants but lack the bone volume necessary for a full set. As an added benefit, All-on-4® implant-supported denture procedures (described below) can typically be performed in a single day, giving you a natural-looking, beautiful smile almost instantly.

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.

What Should I Expect During the Implant Dentures Procedure?

Once you have been evaluated and determined to be a good candidate for implant-supported dentures, our dentist will create a customized treatment plan. If you are getting full arch replacement and still have a few original teeth in the area, those teeth will need to be extracted before the implant procedure commences. Once detailed x-rays have been taken and a precise surgical plan has been developed, the implant posts (made of a durable titanium material) will be inserted into the gums and anchored to the jawbone. Over time, the implants should fuse to the jawbone, mimicking a natural tooth root. Then, a customized denture appliance will be attached to the implant post. Once the procedure is complete, your dentures should feel much more like natural teeth and they should not move or slip along the gums.

It will take a few months for the implants to properly fuse to the bone. A temporary denture appliance can often be worn during this period, with the permanent appliance being attached once the fusion process is complete. Our dentist will explain all aspects of the procedure to you beforehand so you will know what to expect throughout each stage of treatment.

How Long Do Implant Denture Results Last?

Implant dentures can last for many years, possibly even a lifetime, with the proper care. The dentures attached to these implants typically last at least 10 to 15 years before they may need replacement due to wear and tear, and the titanium implants themselves are designed to become a permanent part of the mouth, similar to natural tooth roots. Maintaining excellent oral hygiene routines and living a healthy lifestyle can help extend the results. Smoking and teeth grinding can have extremely negative effects on the longevity of outcomes. By attending regular dental check-ups, following all post-treatment guidelines, and taking good care of your implant dentures, the chances of decades-long results are significantly increased.  

How Do I Clean My Implant Dentures?

In many cases, cleaning implant dentures often involves a routine similar to natural teeth. Some patients may need to add some extra, though small, steps to their daily oral hygiene routines; however, this will depend on the type of implant-dentures that are placed. Our team at Spring Lake Dental Care will provide you with helpful instructions for care and maintenance of your implant dentures. Also, routine dental check-ups and professional cleanings are important for monitoring of the implant dentures and to help you maintain good oral health long into the future.

How Much Do Implant Dentures Cost?

The total price of implant dentures is heavily dependent on each individual patient’s unique needs. In most cases, implant dentures offer patients a considerable cost savings when compared to a full set of dental implants. The complexity of the procedure, the number of dental implants that are necessary to achieve your goals, laboratory costs, materials used, the geographic location of the practice, and the skill/experience level of the dentist are all components that factor into the overall cost. Our dental team believes that everyone should have access to quality dental care, which is why we offer a number of helpful payment and financing options. Once you have been examined and a treatment plan has been created, a member of our staff will produce an estimate of the total cost of your implant denture procedure and talk with you about the best payment options for your budget. We accept all major credit cards and we work with CareCredit®, one of the most reputable dental financing companies in the nation. CareCredit® offers a number of convenient payment plans that can help qualified applicants finance implant denture procedures over time.

If you have questions about implant-supported dentures, or if you would like to schedule a consultation here at Spring Lake Dental Care, please contact our office today.

Highly recommend! The office is impeccable and the staff is wonderful. Dr. Ciampi is incredibly competent and explains everything clearly. I wish I could give a higher rating then 5 stars.
Lorraine Z.
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