Implant-Retained Dentures

Implant-Retained Dentures in Goodlettsville, Tennessee

Partial dentures are attached to a metal bar that snaps on and around surrounding teeth anchoring them firmly in place. Removable dentures have drawbacks. At best, they only provide 15% of the chewing capacity of your natural teeth. Complete dentures, in particular, are prone to moving while chewing. Complete dentures will occasionally fail you, sometimes during awkward and embarrassing occasions. A solution to these problems can be found in implant-retained dentures.

Unlike regular dentures which are held in place by suction or friction, Dream Dental implant-retained dentures are held firmly in place by posts that have been implanted in the jaw. These posts are implanted in the jaw and eventually fuse with the bone. Implant-retained dentures need as few as two posts. They are designed to allow a complete denture to snap into place. The stability of implant-retained dentures is far superior to a traditional complete denture. Implant-retained dentures are usually used on the lower jaw as this is the one that tends to have the most problems with shifting and movement. They can be removed either by you or your dentist.

Types of Implant-retained Dentures

There are two main types of implant-retained dentures:

Ball-retained dentures or stud-attachment dentures are metal studs. The male stud is placed in the jaw where it will eventually fuse with the bone, while the female stud is placed on the denture. While this is usually the case, the placement of the studs and sockets can be reversed.

A Bar-retained denture is a thin metal bar which wraps along your jaw and fit onto the attachments or studs. Clips or attachments are fitted on the bar and/or denture. The denture is then placed over the bar and snapped into place.

The Implant Process

How long it takes for the process of installing Dream Dental implant-retained dentures Goodlettsville depends on a number of factors. When you lose teeth you lose bone as well. Tooth and bone loss are more pronounced in the front of the mouth. This is where most implants are placed. In addition, the front of the jaw does not have the nerves found in the back. Implant-retained dentures placed in the front do not have the problems found with implants placed in the back. Two surgeries are usually required. The time frame between surgeries is five months for the lower jaw and seven months for the upper. There are cases which require preliminary procedures such as bone grafting. In this case, the implant process can take a year or more. The first surgery places the implants in your jaw and beneath the jaw bone. The second exposes the tops of the implants. A one-step procedure is sometimes an option. Here the dentist places the implants and supporting bar in a single step. The success rate for this procedure is quite high.

Possible Complications

A bar-retained denture needs space for the attachments to be fitted. This crowds the teeth slightly. In rare cases this crowding can cause teeth to become loose from the frame. This problem easily fixed. Another problem has to do with the fit of the denture. Like all dentures, implant-retained dentures must be a mirror fit of your mouth and gums. Even the slightest deviation may cause the screws to become loose. Excessive or hard biting can loosen dentures causing them to break. If you notice a loosening of your dentures, call your Dream Dental dentist immediately.

Care of Your Dentures

Your dentist will instruct you how to properly care for your dentures. Usually this means cleaning them once a day. It’s important that you clean your Dream Dental dentures thoroughly, making sure to clean in and around the attachments.

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Implant-Retained Dentures