Implant Dentures
Implant Dentures
If you have several missing teeth, our Prosthodontist in Doral, FL may suggest implant dentures. Implant dentures are different from traditional dentures in that they are anchored to the jawbone, preventing them from slipping. At Doral Dental Specialty Center, many of our patients find it beneficial that they can talk, eat, and smile with confidence even with dentures. So, what are these dentures, when are they required, and what should you expect during the procedure? Find out in this guide.
What are Implant Dentures?
Implant dentures are perfect for those who have suffered the deterioration of their gums and jawbone. Gum and jawbone loss usually accompanies tooth loss. Bone requires regular stimulation to maintain its dentistry and volume. When it comes to the jawbone, it gets its constant stimulation from teeth. Once you lose your teeth, the bone surrounding and supporting them starts deteriorating. This can cause sagging in facial features after some time.
Wearing fixed dentures helps restore support to your facial features. This prevents sagging and helps retain your looks.
Ideal Candidate for Implant Dentures
The normal requirements for implant dentures are the same as for traditional implants. When it comes to younger patients, our Prosthodontist in Doral, FL will require you to wait until your jaws have completely developed. Older patients with general good health can be ideal candidates.
Implant dentures are specifically suited for those who have lost multiple teeth and seek a long-term alternative to removable dentures. Age and gender are not determining factors when it comes to dental implant treatment.
What to Expect During the Procedure?
Our Cosmetic Dentist in Doral, FL may require 3D X-rays of your jaw to find the location of different anatomical structures including the bone, nerves, and sinuses. This information will help us determine the number of implants required and the perfect location.
Each implant requires making a tiny channel in the bone. Since we will use local anesthesia, you will not feel any discomfort during the procedure. Our prosthetics team will assess your anesthesia options before beginning the procedure. Once the implants are in place, we will fix temporary teeth that stay in place until the implants have fused with the bone and the healing process gets completed. You can expect to start functioning with your new temporary teeth almost instantly. Still, we will suggest following a proper diet regimen for a few weeks after the procedure.
Once the integration period gets completed, we will fix permanent teeth that go over the healed gum tissues. These new teeth will allow you to return to normal dental activities.
Type of Implant Dentures
There are different types of implant dentures. This includes:
- Bar-Retained Dentures: They use a metal bar that follows the jawline and fixes between 2 and 5 implants into the jawbone. Clips or other attachments are used to fit the denture into place.
- Ball-Retained Dentures: These dentures are also referred to as stud-attachment dentures. They feature a small metal attachment to the jawbone that will fit into another attachment your dentist will place. Usually, the attachments on the implants are ball shaped. These attachments fit into small sockets on the denture.
At Doral Dental Specialty Center, we provide comprehensive dental care to improve your quality of life. Besides having a Cosmetic Dentist in Doral, FL on our team, we have multiple dental specialties including orthodontics, emergency dental care, general dentistry, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, and oral surgery specialties.