Suffering from missing teeth? Frustrated with the fit of traditional dentures? You might be a candidate for implant dentures. With implant dentures, you can have natural looking and functional teeth. The dentures affix to dental implants for a more secure fit.
At Southern Colorado Periodontics & Implants, our periodontist works with your dentist to plan an optimal denture plan for you. Implant dentures work differently than dental implants with a permanent crown on top. Dentures are still removable. And some may prefer dentures over crowns. Or it may depend upon your overall dental health to determine which is best for you.
Contact us to schedule a consultation to learn if implant dentures are right for you …
Keep reading to learn more about implant dentures …
Implant dentures are a way to directly replace lost teeth with permanent implants. These implants can look and feel far more natural than traditional dentures. Implants come with many other benefits like being easier to clean and requiring less maintenance.
Restore Lost Teeth With Implant Dentures
New dental advancements mean that you have many options for replacing lost teeth. A popular new technique for fixing lost teeth is denture implants. Also called implant dentures, snap in dentures, or implant-retained dentures, these tooth prosthetics are very useful. If you’re thinking about getting dentures, here’s what you need to know.
What Are Implant Dentures?
Implant dentures combine the convenience of implants with the full coverage of dentures. This dental treatment involves your dentist placing a set of screws in the jaw. After giving the jaw tissue time to bond with the screws, your dentist will then mount a denture on the implant.
There are many types of implant dentures. Patients can get full dentures that replace all the teeth on the top or bottom jaw. They can also select partial dentures that just replace a few teeth. Furthermore, denture implants can be removable or permanent. Some snap into place so you can remove them overnight while others stay in the mouth at all times.
Are You a Good Candidate for Implant Dentures?
In any situation with tooth loss, implant dentures can be a great option. Therefore, you might be a good candidate for getting dentures if you answer “yes” to one or more of the following questions.
- Have you lost multiple teeth in your mouth?
- Do you worry that regular dentures might look unnatural?
- Do you regularly eat hard or sticky foods?
- Are you unhappy with your conventional dentures?
- Do you spend a lot of time speaking and need dentures that won’t slip?
- Are you concerned about bone and gum loss?
- Do you have decent oral health with plenty of strong gum and bone tissue?
Benefits of Implant Dentures
There are all sorts of reasons to choose implant dentures over traditional. Some of the benefits include:
- Implant dentures are less likely to loosen when you move your mouth.
- Due to the improved support, they don’t rub back and forth on the gums. This prevents risk of future gum or jawbone loss.
- It’s usually easier to chew with implant dentures, since they are more stable.
- The more precise fit ensures your dentures look as natural as possible.
- You’re less likely to have discomfort or pain.
- These dentures require less maintenance. In many cases, you just need to brush like you regularly would.
Disadvantages of Denture Implants
There are plenty of perks to implants, but are there any downsides? Some potential issues to be aware of include:
- They can cost slightly more than traditional dentures.
- There is always a risk that you may be allergic to the anesthetic used for the surgery.
- Attachments may loosen over time, requiring minor surgery to repair.
- You may get infection in the weeks following the initial implant surgery.
- If done improperly, the surgery can damage nerves or sinuses.
- Patients who did not maintain oral hygiene had a risk of infection in the later years.
Are Most Patients Happy With Dental Implants?
Still not sure if denture implants are right for you? Surveys of dental implant patients found that all patients had improved quality of life. Compared to traditional dentures, patients found it easier to eat, speak, and drink. On a scale of one to five, patients rated their satisfaction as a 4.6.
This research also reported that risks of complications were very low. Only 1.86 percent of implants failed altogether. In addition, only around 24 percent of patients had any complications at all. Proper oral hygiene significantly lowered these risks.
How Much Do Denture Implants Cost?
In the U.S., denture implants tend to cost somewhere between $2,000 to $6,000. There are several factors that go into this price. Each implant will usually cost around $500 to $1,500. Then you will need to pay for the dentures themselves. Low quality ones can be as cheap as $300 while high-end ones can be around $5,000.
It is rare for insurance to cover denture implants. Usually, your insurance company will just pay for dentures. However, in some rare cases, your dentist may be able to argue that implants are the best option for your oral health. Typically, if patients want implant coverage, they will need to pay extra for cosmetic insurance.
Get the Best Denture Implants From a Periodontist
When finding a doctor to perform your implant procedure, look for a periodontist. Why choose periodontists? This type of dentist treats all the support structures of the teeth. This essentially means they have in-depth knowledge about the gums and jawbones.
A periodontist can ensure your treatment goes as smoothly as possible. Their extra training means they can design a denture and implant schedule that works best for your unique situation. Furthermore, you have less risk of complications because a periodontist does this type of procedure regularly.
If you’re considering denture implants, Southern Colorado Periodontics & Implants in Colorado Springs can help. Our team focuses on providing personalized, high-quality care to those with tooth loss, gum disease, and other issues. Schedule a consultation now to get started on your journey to a new smile.
