What Are Implant Dentures?
Implant or Traditional Dentures? Evaluating Options
Let’s explore the differences between implant dentures and traditional dentures. This side-by-side comparison will help determine which solution mmakes sense.
Gum Health: Implant dentures promote healthier gums by distributing chewing forces across the jawbone, reducing irritation and sores. Traditional dentures can lead to gum sores due to friction and pressure points.
Bone Preservation: Implants stimulate and preserve the jawbone, preventing bone loss. Traditional dentures do not provide stimulation therefore which can lead to bone loss over time.
Fit and Comfort: Implant dentures offer a secure, custom fit, eliminating slippage and enhancing comfort. Traditional options may loosen over time, causing discomfort and requiring frequent adjustments.
Eating and Speaking: With implants, patients enjoy a broader range of foods and clearer speech, as they mimic natural tooth function. Traditional dentures can limit food choices and clarity of speech due to movement and due to less secure anchoring.
Maintenance and Hygiene: Implant dentures can be cared for like natural teeth with regular brushing and flossing. Unlike traditional dentures that necessitate extra steps like removal and for thorough cleaning of the dentures and gum care such as cleaning & massaging.
What to Expect From Consultation to Final Restoration
Consultation and Assessment
This initial stage involves an in-depth evaluation with your dentist, who assesses your oral health, and discusses your goals to customize a treatment plan that is right for you. Advanced imaging, such as X-rays and 3D scans, are taken to analyze your jawbone’s structure and density, which is essential for precise implant planning and ensuring they integrate seamlessly with your natural oral framework.
Implant Placement:
This step is more comfortable than expected. Under local anesthesia to ensure comfort while the dentist surgically places the implant posts into the jawbone. This procedure is meticulously performed to lay the foundation for your new teeth.
Healing Period
During the healing period, your body works to integrate the implants with your jawbone, a natural process known as osseointegration. This phase ensures the implants become a stable base for your new dentures, enhancing their longevity and comfort. This time is not just about waiting; it’s about allowing a seamless bond to form between implant and bone, promising a solid foundation for your renewed smile.
Final Restoration
In this last step, we’ll have you come back to perfect the fit of your new implant dentures. We’ll make sure they’re just right: comfortable, working like they should, and looking like they’ve always been part of your smile.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Breaking Down the Costs: Implant Dentures in Boulder
Frequently Asked Questions
Care involves regular brushing, flossing around the implants, and cleaning of the dentures, along with regular dental checkups. Proper hygiene is essential to prevent infection and ensure the longevity of the denture implants.
Yes, the visible part of the denture implants (the overdenture) can be made to closely match the color of any remaining natural teeth or to achieve the desired aesthetic.
The procedure to place implants involves surgery, which can be associated with some discomfort during the initial healing period. However, local anesthesia and sedation options are typically available to minimize pain during the procedure. Post-surgery discomfort can usually be managed with standard pain relief medications.
Coverage for denture implants varies by insurance plan. Some plans may cover a portion of the procedure, but many consider it a cosmetic procedure and offer limited or no coverage.
The cost can vary widely depending on the number of implants, the type of denture, and geographical location. Denture implants generally cost more than conventional dentures but are often seen as a worthwhile investment due to their superior comfort and stability.
Most adults with sufficient bone density to support the implants and who are in good general health are eligible for denture implants. As with single dental implants, certain conditions may affect the success of the treatment.
The implants themselves can last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance. The overdenture, however, like traditional dentures, may need replacement or repair due to normal wear and tear over time.
Denture implants work by attaching a denture to a set of implants anchored in the jawbone. Implants are surgically placed into the jaw where the bone will heal around them, forming a secure foundation. The denture can be fixed (permanent) or removable, snapping securely onto the implants.