Implant Dentures — Monroe, LA
Implant Dentures Combine Affordability with Comfort and Security
A staggering 40 million Americans are missing all their permanent teeth. In years past, the best way to replace them was with the help of dentures. Unfortunately, however, those early dentures were often painful and didn’t look realistic. But while today’s dentures are more comfortable and natural looking than ever, they still leave a lot to be desired. Thankfully, when they’re combined with the durability, longevity, and security of dental implants, many of their typical pain points are easily overcome.
Dr. John J. Roberson works together with a skilled team of dental implant specialists to help provide his patients with a variety of tooth replacement options including implant dentures. To learn more about how these versatile prosthetics can provide you with the benefits of dentures and the lasting, secure fit of dental implants, schedule an appointment with Dr. Roberson today.
What Are Implant Dentures?
Dental implants are dentures that are secured to your arches by prosthetic “roots” which are permanently implanted into the jawbone. Combined with a denture, they create a lifelike, comfortable, and functional smile that is much more secure than dentures that simply rest on top of your gums.
Depending on your unique oral health needs, Dr. Roberson may recommend one of two types of implant dentures at your consultation.
Fixed/Permanent Implant Dentures
Fixed implant dentures (or “hybrid prothesis”) have been designed to stay firmly in place and can only be removed by Dr. Roberson. They are secured via a network of four to six strategically placed and positioned dental implants that are inserted into your jawbone to support a full denture. These restorations are preferred by many patients, as they look and feel much more natural than removable dentures, however, they do require more jawbone density.
Removable Implant Dentures
Removable implant dentures (or “Snap-On dentures”) are firmly rooted via dental implants; however, they use clips (bar-retained) or ball sockets (ball-retained) so that you can remove them as needed. While they do need to be taken out daily for cleaning, they typically only require two to five dental implants.
The Implant Denture Procedure
If you are a good candidate for dental implants, Dr. Roberson will refer you to a trusted team of specialists to assist with your procedure. Though individual treatment times will vary, the process to get your new implant dentures follows the same basic timeline:
- Consultation/ Preliminary treatments: during this time Dr. Roberson will evaluate your mouth to determine if you are a good candidate for surgery. If not, you could require a bone graft procedure first.
- Surgery: you will undergo dental implant surgery with your team of specialists.
- Osseointegration: Once your procedure is complete, you will recover at home as your mouth heals. The process of your implants fusing with your jawbone is called osseointegration. This is necessary for your implants to survive and support your denture or dentures.
- Placement of abutment: Once your mouth has healed, you will return to visit your surgical team to have the denture abutments placed. This procedure may cause minor sensitivity, but you can return to normal activities the same day.
- Delivery of the final restoration: Once your mouth has adequately healed, you will return to Dr. Roberson’s office for the placement of your final restoration and can begin to enjoy sharing your beautiful new smile with the world!
Even though the implant denture process is a bit lengthier than that of regular dentures, the benefits of this type of restoration are well worth the wait!
Am I a Candidate for Implant Dentures?
If you’re an adult in good oral and overall health who is tired of missing out due to lost permanent teeth or is frustrated with removable prosthetics like traditional dentures, you are likely a good candidate for implant dentures.
At your consultation, Dr. Roberson will review your specific oral health needs and goals before explaining your options and his recommendations.
To qualify for implant dentures, you’ll need to be in good enough health to undergo a minor surgical procedure and you must be free of any issues like gum disease or cavities. You will also require enough jawbone density to support your chosen type of implant denture. If necessary, we can help you schedule a bone graft to prepare you for your new smile.
Benefits of Combining Dentures & Dental Implants
While implant dentures do take more time and cost more money upfront than traditional dentures, they offer a wide variety of important benefits, including:
- A more secure fit than traditional dentures
- Easy to clean
- Longer-lasting prosthetics mean less frequent replacement, which can save you more money over time
- Comfortable and natural looking
- Implants provide important jaw stimulation that prevents degradation and keeps jawbones healthy