Implant-Supported Dentures

Suffering the loss of many or all of your teeth can be a difficult situation to deal with. If you’re looking for options in Cypress or Houston, you might have already looked into what options are available. While dental bridges and dentures are sometimes a good fit for some patients, there is also another option if you’re looking for a more permanent solution to tooth loss. If you’ve searched for “implant-supported dentures near me,” you know you can get implant-supported dentures in Cypress, TX, at our dental clinic. We will restore your smile and leave you not worrying about replacing dentures or applying adhesive ever again.

What Are Implant Supported Dentures?

If you haven’t yet heard of implant-supported dentures, they are a modern take on the traditional denture that offers a more secure and permanent solution to tooth loss.

As the name suggests, implant-supported dentures aren’t a typical dental application. They are denture plates attached to dental implants and fixed to the mouth. This gives them stability, support, and durability that traditional dentures cannot match.

In fact, unlike traditional dentures, implant support dentures are designed not to be removed without a dentist and are made to be permanent. A well-maintained set of dentures should last for decades without problems. If there is a defect or problem, it’s relatively simple to go to the dentist to have them repaired and adjusted, compared to replacing traditional dentures every couple of years.

What is the Implant Supported Denture Process?

The process of implant-supported dentures depends on the individual patient, mouth shape, and the number of teeth that need removal before our dentist can prepare the mouth for the implants and the dentures. However, we can generally break down the process into 3 phases from start to finish.

The Preparation Phase

The first part of the process is getting the mouth ready to receive the implants supporting the denture. This involves ensuring no underlying conditions such as bone density issues, infection, gum disease, or other problems that may prevent getting the implants.

The dentist will also need to remove any teeth that are in poor shape or in the way of the implant-supported denture so that the area is clear. This will need time to heal before moving on to the next process phase.

In some cases, it may be necessary to perform bone grafting into the upper or lower jaw if it is found that the jawbone’s bone density is insufficient to support the implants. This is done before moving on to the next process phase and may require additional recovery time.

The Installation Phase

Once the mouth has healed properly, the next phase of the process is to install the posts that will support the dentures. These are tiny titanium screws that act as a base for a prosthetic crown or the denture plate that will be attached.

This is considered a major surgical procedure, and patients are put under anesthesia for the process. The posts are attached and anchored to the jawbone where, over time, they fuse to the bone and create a strong and natural feel for the implants and dentures, making them more durable and more comfortable than other dental applications.

Depending on the patient, it generally takes four implants to support a top set of dentures. In contrast, the lower jaw typically can be supported by only two implants for a total of 6 for a full mouth restoration, though this may vary by patient.

Afterward, the dentist will allow bone growth and healing time before moving on to the third and final phase.

Final Placement Phase

The final phase involves placing abutments on the posts that will attach the denture and the prosthetic cap for the implants. The abutments are placed, and the artificial teeth and denture plate are attached to create one solid piece of dental hardware.

Once this is allowed to heal, the dentist may request a follow-up to ensure that everything is fitting properly and there are no issues.

Now that you know more about implant-supported dentures, we hope this helps you make the right decision for you and your unique situation.