Implant supported dentures are becoming a life changing dental restoration. It is an innovative replacement solution that combines two tested technologies. As modern technology advances and positively influence the dental industry this option gives you a solution when it comes to replacing missing teeth. We will review both solutions separately and then list the attributes which will have you considering implant supported dentures for your restoration.
Traditional Removable Dentures
This restoration has been used successfully for centuries and features both complete arch dentures and custom partial dentures. The primary factor is they are designed to be removable. They must be taken out every evening for your oral health. When you remove them in the evening you clean and soak the dentures and then you also need to brush the arches. This practice is for a full set of dentures or partial dentures, which will use your remaining natural teeth to help secure the partial set.
The Process of Fabricating Dentures
An impression is made first of the arch in which the denture is being designed to replace your missing natural teeth. The impression is sent to a dental lab where an acrylic tray is fabricated in a natural flesh color. Artificial crowns, created from either porcelain or ceramic, are then positioned into this acrylic tray. The final restoration is placed on your arch and will be held in place with a mild denture adhesive. Partial dentures add a framework and a clasp to secure the tray to your natural teeth.
The Dental Implant Solution
The dental implant has now become the industry gold standard for replacing teeth and is a permanent solution and not removable. This superb solution is an expensive restoration. Your dentist first will administer a local anesthetic to numb the immediate area, then a small incision allows your dentist to drill a tiny hole in your jawbone. A small titanium post is then inserted into this hole. The post will need adequate healing time to fuse and bond to the jawbone, then an extension is put on the post to reach the surface of the gumline, allowing for an artificial crown to be affixed to this post. This is the most natural replacement available today, the stability and strength allow chewing and biting sensations to be more natural because of the artificial root.
The Combination of Both Solutions to Deliver Implant Supported Dentures
The solution combines the best of both restorations. You start with around four or six implant titanium posts that, once integrated with the bone, serve as anchors. Then the denture tray is custom created as described above, but this version now has small nylon clips that strategically match up with the posts. The tray snaps on to the posts and you have a restoration that combines state of the art technologies.
The Benefits of Implant Supported Dentures
The first benefit is this method is more affordable than an independent implant for each tooth. The second important benefit is the strength, stability, and security of staying in place. The third is that the posts deliver pressure stimulation to the jawbone ensuring the prolonged natural health of the jawbone. Biting and chewing sensations are greatly improved as well as your speech. Finally, the life expectancy of this solution is over 20 years.
