Implant dentures (also known as implant overdentures): Procedure Guide
Discover how implant dentures (or implant overdentures) offer a stable and secure solution for replacing missing teeth.
Everyone wants to feel secure about their teeth; but that takes teeth that are secure. Many people express frustration with their traditional dentures because the dentures slip, slide, or come out of the mouth completely during regular daily activities. At ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers, we believe talking and eating should happen at the same time and be a comfortable, confident experience.
That’s where implant dentures (sometimes called implant overdentures or implant-supported dentures) can help. Implant dentures combine the features of a removable denture with the security and stability of a dental implant. Implant dentures are a smile saving solution that can last a long time with proper care and maintenance. In this blog, we’ll discuss implant dentures and their unique benefits.
Understanding implant dentures (sometimes called implant overdentures)
An implant denture fits and securely stays in the mouth thanks to the attachment of the denture to dental implants, but the denture can still be removed by the patient at home. Overdentures typically use from 2 to 4 dental implants to secure teeth in place and have a snap-on device to make it easier for patients to remove and replace teeth on their own.
The implant denture (or implant overdenture) procedure
Here’s what you can expect during the process of planning and placing implant dentures:
1. Attend your free consultation appointment
During the initial consultation, you will meet your ClearChoice prosthodontist and discuss your treatment plan. Your ClearChoice team will also discuss the cost of implant overdentures and third-party financing options so that you can find out if the procedure may fit within your budget.
2. Attend your smile design appointment
During your smile design appointment, your dental care team will work alongside you to build your new smile. After an intraoral scan and impressions, you’ll choose the size, shape, and color of your new teeth.
3. Undergo the implant surgery
On the day of the implant procedure, your ClearChoice prosthodontist and your surgeon will place your dental implants according to your treatment plan. Depending on your present oral health and dental situation, you may also need to have teeth extracted or a bone graft completed during the dental implant surgery. Implant denture treatment often uses 2 to 4 implants, depending on your jaw shape. You may receive your final dentures at this appointment, but depending on the surgical situation and the initial tightness of the implants in the bone, the dentures may or may not be attached to your implants.
4. Take time to heal
For long-term function, prosthodontists do not depend on the initial tightness of the implant to the bone, but rather depend on further healing of the bone around the implant over the next many weeks after implant surgery. This bone-implant healing is called osseointegration and is the delicate process where your dental implants fuse with your jawbone. Completion of osseointegration takes about 2-4 months. In the days immediately following your implant procedure, you’ll want to follow instructions as provided by your dental care team, including eating a soft food diet for a period of time while initial healing occurs. As you progress through the osseointegration period, you’ll return to your ClearChoice doctor for follow-up appointments to check your progress along the way.
5. Fit your implant denture (or implant overdenture)
Once your jaw bone and gums are fully healed and your dental implants are integrated to the bone, you’ll return to the office to have your implant dentures fitted and attached to the implants. Your prosthodontist will make sure that the implant dentures fit properly without discomfort. You’ll be taught how to remove and attach the implant denture yourself.
6. Get your functional smile back
Once your implant dentures are properly fitted, you can resume smiling, eating and talking with confidence. You’ll care for your implant dentures just like you would your regular teeth; take the dentures out to clean after eating, and before going to bed at night. You will also use a toothbrush to brush your gums around the implant attachments.
Who should get implant dentures (also known as implant overdentures)?
Implant dentures may make sense if you’re in one of the following situations:
You’re missing many or all of your teeth.
You have removable dentures and are experiencing problems with them slipping around in your mouth, especially the lower denture.
You want a more stable denture for chewing but enjoy being able to remove your dentures to clean and remove them at night to sleep.
You don’t have the financial resources to cover the cost of fixed full arch dental implants.
Meeting with a prosthodontist at your local ClearChoice Dental Implant Center is a great way to determine if implant dentures make sense for you.
Learn more about implant dentures
Implant dentures can be a cost-effective solution that meets your tooth replacement needs. Visit your local ClearChoice Dental Implant Center for a free consultation. We’ll help you understand the available options to replace your missing teeth and work with you to get the smile you’ve always dreamed about.
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Implant dentures FAQs
How long do implant dentures last?
While the dental implants themselves can last a lifetime, the denture portion that rests on the gums may need refitting or replacement as there is expected changes in the gum and bone overtime. Denture teeth also wear down. Depending on the amount of wear, dentures may need to be replaced.
What is the success rate of implant dentures?
Implant dentures have a very high success rate. Success may vary based on factors like age, oral health, and whether a patient smokes. Your dental care team can help you understand if you’re a good candidate for success with implant dentures.
How do implant dentures compare to fixed full arch dental implants?
Fixed full arch dental implants are a solution for missing teeth that cannot be removed by the patient. Because they need not be removed by the patient, and the prosthesis does not rest on the gums, many patients prefer the fixed full arch. However, implant dentures leverage dental implants as a useful means of offering a strong attachment of the denture in the correct position in the mouth. Many patients prefer the ease of cleaning their prostheses “outside of the mouth”. The implant components of the fixed full arch are more complicated and take greater expertise to perform than the fabrication of an implant denture. For this reason, implant dentures often cost less than fixed full arch dental implants.
Are implant dentures worth it?
Implant dentures may be worth it for some patients who are looking to replace an entire upper or lower arch of teeth and want a tooth replacement option that fits their budgets. If you want to learn more about implant dentures and whether they’re right for you, schedule a free consultation at your nearest ClearChoice Dental Implant Center today.