Implant Dentures – Sterling Heights, MI

What Are Implant Dentures?

Dentures are the tried-and-true method for rebuilding a full set of teeth, but many patients struggle this them. In some cases, they’re unable to wear them because they don’t have strong enough ridges in their mouth to support them. Others may struggle with regularly removing them for cleanings or keeping track of them and want a more dependable solution.

Instead of forming a suction against your gums to remain in place, these dentures are anchored to several dental implants that are surgically inserted into your jawbone. There are two types, so once you have a consultation with one of our experts, they’ll recommend one of the following options:

Fixed/Permanent Implant Dentures

This method utilizes 4-6 strategically placed implants in your jaw to permanently hold a full set of dentures. These prosthetics are designed to stay firmly in place and can only be removed by a dentist. If you struggle with frequently removing and reinserting your dentures, you could probably benefit from this treatment.

Removable Implant Dentures

Often referred to as “Snap-On Dentures”, this type of restoration also includes dental implants but are intended to be removable. Or this method, 2 to 5 implants will be placed. Then, your dentures will be customized to use clips (bar-retained) or ball sockets (ball-retained) that allow patients to take them out to clean them consistently.

The Implant Denture Process

Being fitted with implant dentures typically includes the following steps:

• Consultation. Before we can recommend any procedure, our team must first determine your current dental goals, history, and condition to create your treatment plan. We’ll also use this time to take impressions of your teeth to send to a lab to begin building your fully customized dentures.
• Surgery. We have experts on-site who can perform the surgery so that you don’t have to worry about finding an outside provider. For the procedure, we’ll apply an anesthetic and/or use sedation so that you’re comfortable the entire time. Then, we’ll put the titanium implants in their designated locations.
• Recovery. It takes several months for your jawbone to fuse with the metal implants in a process called osseointegration. Once that’s complete, we’ll place an abutment on the support rod that will hold your final restoration in place.
• Placing your dentures. Once you’ve healed and the lab returns your prosthetic teeth, we’ll call you back so you can try them on and we can ensure everything is fitting as intended.

Am I a Candidate for Implant Dentures?

Your mouth must be clean before you get dental implants because tooth decay and gum disease can cause them to fail. During your consultation, we’ll determine whether you meet the required criteria, which includes:

• Good oral health. Decay and disease can cause infection or other complications that harm your dental implants.
• Enough jawbone density. If your jaw is too weak to support implants, a bone graft might be able to bulk it up enough to proceed.
• Consistent dental hygiene. You’ll need to care for your artificial teeth daily and visit your dentist every 6 months for a routine checkup.

Benefits of Combining Denture & Dental Implants

There are several advantages to getting implant dentures, such as:

• Enhance your appearance. Our restorations are made from beautiful, tooth-colored materials so no one can tell they’re not the teeth you were born with.
• Restore your ability to chew. With implant dentures, you can eat without worrying about your prosthetics falling out of place.
• Enunciate clearly. Giving you a mouthful of teeth ensures that you can form all the sounds and words needed to be easily understood.
• Preserve facial structure. The implants function like a root to stimulate your jaw when you bite down which keeps it strong, so your face retains its shape.
• They’re resilient. Dental implants have a success rate of over 95% and can last 30+ years with the right care.