The Benefits of Using Dental Implants to Stabilize Dentures

What are the benefits of dental implants to stabilize dentures?

An implant-supported denture is a type of over-denture attached to implants for added structural support. They’re often recommended to patients who no longer have any teeth in the jaw, but still have enough bone to support the implants. Implant-supported dentures use special attachments that snap onto the implants.

Although implant-supported dentures can be made for the lower and upper jaw, they’re usually made only for the lower jaw because regular dentures are less stable there.

How Does It Work?

Implant-supported dentures can either be bar-retained or ball-retained. Either way, the denture will be made out of an acrylic base that look similar to the gums. After which, porcelain or acrylic teeth that look like natural teeth are then attached to the acrylic base. Also, both types of dentures will need a minimum of two implants for support.

The main difference between the two is the type of attachment used to clip the denture securely in its place. In the case of bar-retained dentures, clips are fitted either in the bar, denture or both where the dentures are clipped. Meanwhile, ball-retained dentures utilize ball-shaped “male” attachments that fit into the sockets or the “female” attachments found on the denture.

The Implant Process

The implants can be placed anywhere. However, they’re usually placed in the jawbone at the front of the mouth because there usually is much more bone there, even if the teeth have been missing for quite a while. Also, the front jaw doesn’t have as many nerves or other structures that may affect the placement of implants.

The entire process can last for well over a year, especially if a bone graft or other preliminary procedures are necessary before proceeding.

The process usually requires no less than two surgical procedures. The first procedure is to place the implants in the jawbone just right under your gums. The second one comes three to six months after the initial surgery, and is done to expose the tops of the implants.

Possible Risks Involved

Although very rare, the implants can fail. There’s also the risk that comes naturally with being a surgical procedure. In addition to that, bar-retained dentures carry their own risks as well.

Unlike ball-retained dentures, bar-retained dentures need space on the denture framework for the special attachments. This leaves less space on the denture framework for the teeth, and as a result, the teeth can sometimes come loose.

Constant grinding and clenching of the teeth can also increase the risk of the denture breaking, or the implants coming loose.

Is It Worth it?

It’s no secret that wearing regular dentures makes a person much more self-conscious. Not only does the wearer have to worry about their speech being affected, the wearer also has to be mindful of the possibility that the denture may fall out at any time. Implant-supported dentures help solve such problems by offering additional structural support, making it less likely for the dentures to suddenly slip out or come loose.

That’s not all. There are also far more benefits to getting implant-supported dentures, including improved oral health, more natural-looking teeth and fewer diet restrictions, just to name a few.

Visit Dr. Graham Farless today to learn more about your restorative dentistry options in Greensboro and find the ideal solution for your missing teeth. Call today at 336-282-2868.