Implant-supported dentures have completely changed the game when it comes to replacing your missing teeth. Dentures are one of the most tried-and-true ways to replace teeth that have been lost. However, dentures have severe limitations simply because of the fact that they are designed to sit on the gum and are not securely attached to the jawbone or below the surface in any way. Implant-supported dentures have also changed the philosophy behind dentures, making them act much more like regular teeth.
The important distinction between regular dentures and implant-supported dentures is that regular dentures simply sit on the gum without very much support from the rest of the month. In order to ensure that these are secure so they will not fall out, you will need to use wires or most inconveniently, adhesive to secure and hold the dentures in place. These gooey substances can be messy and hard to use, and most people hate putting in their dentures or having to take them out. Implant-supported dentures work on a far more natural philosophy of supporting the fake teeth, or dentures, with the proper stable support in the root system. This is done by attaching the implant-supported denture to a pre-placed dental implant. In turn, this arrangement provides you with the most secure, stable, and realistic-looking replacement teeth.
There are two basic types of implant-supported dentures. These are the bar-retained and the ball-retained implant-supported dentures. In either case, the denture will be made out of an acrylic-based material that looks like the gums. Attached to this acrylic base will be the porcelain or acrylic teeth that are designed, shaped, and colored to look exactly like your natural teeth. It is important to note that for either a bar-retained denture or a ball-retained denture, you will need to have at least two implants to be able to properly support these implant-supported dentures.
Bar-Retained Implant-Supported Dentures: When you choose a bar-retained denture, a small, thin metal bar will be placed into your mouth and attached to between two and five dental implants that have been pre-placed in your jawbone. The thin metal bar is designed to follow along with the curve of your jaw precisely. Attachments, like clips, will be placed onto the bar or onto the denture and sometimes on both. The denture is then placed with precision exactly over the bar. It is held securely in place by the attachments placed there before setting the implant-supported denture over the top.
Ball-Retained Implant-Supported Dentures: Ball-retained dentures are also known as stud attachment dentures. This is because the attachments on the implant are shaped like a ball, also known as male attachments, and they fit into sockets, known as female attachments, on the denture. Each implant that has been placed into the jawbone hold an attachment that fits into a perfectly matched female attachment on the denture itself. The roles of the male and female attachments are reversible.
To discuss these options in further detail, call our office and schedule a consultation. We can replace your teeth in a way that is natural-looking and durable.
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