The two most common treatment options for individuals who have lost all or the majority of their teeth are conventional dentures or implant supported dentures in marin county california. Unlike conventional dentures, which are a customized orthodontic device supported by your underlying bone structure and gums, implant supported dentures are held in place by a titanium post implant, so rather than resting on the gums like a conventional denture, the implant supported denture is fixed on the implant, which is embedded in your jawbone.
Implant supported dentures can either be fixed or removable and can be ball-retained or bar-retained. Ball-retained dentures slot into sockets within the implant or fit on connectors on the implant, whereas for bar-retained dentures, the denture is fixed to a thin metal bar that is attached to implants in the jawbone using clips or other types of attachments.
Implant supported dentures have a range of benefits, one of the biggest being that they offer a more stable solution, especially for lower jaw teeth replacement, where conventional dentures often slip out of place. Another important difference between conventional dentures and implant supported dentures is comfort. It is not uncommon for patients to experience issues with dentures rubbing against their gums and creating sore spots. Additional issues commonly associated with conventional dentures is that they frequently shift or slip out of place, are uncomfortable, and restrict the types of foods a person can eat. Conventional dentures also require special maintenance and are held in place with adhesive, which can be messy. Over time, conventional dentures can also warp, which will require them to be replaced. Implant supported dentures offer a more permanent solution and restores the functionality and appearance of your natural teeth.
Am I a Candidate for Implant Supported Dentures?
The implant supported procedure may be preceded by treating gum disease, tooth extraction, and/or dental bone graft and/or sinus lift. Following the loss of a tooth or teeth, the jawbone will gradually begin to deteriorate. If your jawbone has deteriorated too much to hold an implant supported denture, a bone grafting and/or sinus lift may be necessary. To be a good candidate for implant supported dentures, it is also important that patients have good oral health routines and healthy gums.
If a dental bone graft or sinus lift is necessary, the procedure to place the graft will take around 45-90 minutes. Following placement of the graft, it can take between 3-6 months for the graft to become a solid bone mass that can support an implant. Once any preexisting issues have been addressed, the implant supported denture procedure begins with administration of a local anesthetic and dental sedation. Once the area is sufficiently numbed, titanium posts are placed into your jawbone. Over time (typically three to four months or longer) these posts naturally fuse with your jawbone through a process called osseointegration. Once the post(s) are fused, the denture is attached to the anchoring post. While you are waiting for the osseointegration process to complete, a temporary set of dentures will be provided until your permanent denture can be placed.
More in Implant Supported Dentures : Conventional Dentures vs Implant Supported Dentures
High Quality Periodontal Care You Can Trust
When you come to Marin Contemporary Perio and Implant Concepts, you can expect a friendly and professional dental team. Dr. Seda will listen carefully to your dental goals and provide a custom treatment plan that works with your budget and needs. We want you to fall in love with your smile again, so all our services are performed with the patient in mind. We want you to feel comfortable in the dental chair, and to feel confident in our services.
At Marin Contemporary Perio and Implant Concepts, we aim to provide cutting edge perio and implant solutions in a comfortable and relaxed environment, where patients feel we put them first. Scheduling an appointment for All-on-4 Dental Implants is the first step towards being confident in your smile once again. To schedule an appointment, please contact us today at (415) 482-9901.