Losing your teeth doesn’t mean you should lose your freedom. We can help you get your smile back! Read on to discover what options are available to you.
IMPLANTS
Though implants may sound frightening and invasive, they look and feel natural and provide all the freedom of your real smile. Dental implants are surgically attached to your jaw bone underneath your gums, providing better stability for the dentures and the stunning smile you’ve always wanted.
Full-mouth dental implants are made up of a team of 4 to 6 implants. This team works together to support a prosthesis that replaces all of your missing teeth in one arch. This process minimizes the total number of full-mouth dental implants needed. Once your dental implants are locked in place, bridges and dentures fitted to the implants won’t be able to wiggle around. This means you can have your cake and eat it too.
PROSTHETICS
Dental implants may be the standard of care for tooth replacement, but complete dental prosthetics are a popular option. Dental prosthetics, otherwise known as dentures, are defined as a removable replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. There are a few types of complete dentures you can choose from:
CONVENTIONAL DENTURES
These are made after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has begun to heal. Conventional dentures can be placed in the mouth approximately eight to 12 weeks after the teeth have been removed. Held in place by suction contact, the tongue’s ability to hold them in place and denture adhesive, conventional dentures offer a natural-looking, comfortable solution for missing teeth.
IMMEDIATE/TEMPORARY DENTURES
Unlike their conventional counterpart, immediate dentures are meant to be worn as soon as the teeth have been removed. This means the wearer will not have to go without teeth during the healing process. Though convenient, these dentures are not custom-fit to your mouth and are only designed to be worn for 6-8 months. Generally, these are only worn until your permanent dentures are ready.
SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN
You get the best of both worlds when dentures and implants work together. Implant supported overdentures provide all the comfort and security of dentures without the need for adhesive creams or strips.
Implant supported overdentures can be defined as a removable denture connected to dental implants. The implants are fitted with a mechanism that clicks with the dentures, securely locking them in place. These bad boys are different from your run-of-the-mill dentures, which sit directly on the gum tissues.
With several different types available, implant supported overdentures can provide increased comfort, function and confidence:
- Implant-retained, gum-supported overdentures
- Overdenture sits on the gums
- Held in place by implants inserted into the upper or lower jaw
- Removeable
- Standard for patients with complete tooth loss
- Bar-retained, implant supported overdentures
- Overdenture uses a retentive attachment on a metal bar attached to the implants inserted into the jaw
- Overdenture is then fixed to a metal bar built directly into the denture
- Removeable
- Fixed implant supported overdentures
- Overdenture and bar are combined into a single framework screwed into the implants inside the upper or lower jaws
- Fits like natural teeth; does not sit on the gums
- Cannot be removed unless done professionally
FINDING WHAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU
There are several things to consider when planning for implant solutions; be it budget, lifestyle, healing process, etc. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but remember that you aren’t alone.
Our team of professionals is here to guide you every step of the way. We’ll explain all your options, things to consider and listen to your questions or concerns. Together, we’ll find the solution that works best for you. Book a consultation today.