If you’re missing all of your teeth on your top and/or bottom arch, you’re probably looking for a solution that will help you smile with confidence and eat all of your favorite foods. While today’s traditional dentures are better than ever, they still leave quite a bit to be desired. They may slip around when you’re talking or eating, and they usually only last a few years. Fortunately, by pairing dentures with dental implants, Dr. Kevin Mueller and the rest of our team at Arizona Smile Design can solve all of these issues. Contact us to learn more about how you can benefit from implant dentures in Sun City West.
While a traditional denture sits on top of the gums, an implant denture is secured onto dental implants that have been strategically placed throughout the jawbone. A dental implant is a small titanium post that mimics the root of a lost tooth. Rather than placing a dental implant for each individual missing tooth, these posts can be inserted at precise angles and locations to support a full denture with just four to eight implants. Because of their placement in the jawbone, implant dentures are much more stable than traditional dentures.
Depending on your unique preferences and needs, your implant dentist in Sun City West may recommend one of the two types of implant dentures during your consultation:
Also known as “hybrid dentures,” permanent dentures (popular brands include Teeth in a Day and Clear Choice) can only be removed by a dentist. Typically, they require four to eight implants per jaw. The denture is secured onto abutments, which are metal attachments that go on top of each implant. They can often be brushed and flossed like natural teeth.
Sometimes called “overdentures,” removable implant dentures can be taken out for cleaning or before bed. They usually require fewer implants (between two and five per jaw). They use either clips or ball sockets to snap the denture into place when it’s time to insert them.
Unlike traditional dentures, getting implant dentures takes multiple appointments over the course of several months to a year. However, the advantages they deliver are well worth the wait!
After Dr. Mueller confirms that implant dentures are right for you, he’ll refer you to one of our trusted oral surgeons in the area. During the surgery, your mouth is numbed, your gums are opened up, and the implants are inserted at certain locations and angles. Over the next few months, your jawbone grows around the implants. When this process is complete, abutments or attachments are placed that will secure the denture. Lastly, your custom denture is created and placed.
Most adults who are in good general and oral health make good candidates for implant dentures. To be considered an ideal candidate, you’ll typically need:
A willingness to practice good oral health habits (regular hygiene, quitting smoking, etc.)
Good enough health to undergo minor surgery
A jawbone strong enough to accommodate dental implants in Sun City West
Even if you’re not a good enough candidate right away, Dr. Mueller can recommend certain procedures, such as bone grafting, that can prepare your mouth for an implant denture.
While implant dentures initially require more time and money, they offer the following long-term benefits:
Increased stability (they won’t slip or fall out at inopportune times)
Renewed biting and chewing force
A smile that looks as natural as it feels
A denture that should never feel loose or uncomfortable
No gum irritation or sores
Prevention of jawbone deterioration after tooth loss
Easier maintenance
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Office Hours
Monday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thursday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
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