Overdentures
Traditional dentures are a time-tested and effective tooth-replacement option, but modern prosthetic dental technology has provided a variety of options designed to enhance and improve the old model of dentures that are designed to come out of a person’s mouth every night.
One of these new and improved treatment options is implant-supported dentures, and this dental device offers all the benefits of traditional dentures paired with the advantages of dental implants.
What Are Implant-Supported Dentures?
Also referred to as snap-on dentures or overdentures, implant-supported dentures are denture-like dental devices that are designed to replace all or most of a patient’s missing teeth. Implant-supported dentures semi-permanently affix to several dental implants that have been strategically placed in the patient’s mouth to provide stable support to the denture while also delivering essential, bone-production-triggering stimulation to the jawbone.
The Benefits of Choosing Implant-Supported Dentures
Implant-supported dentures offer several benefits, such as:
- Implant-supported dentures look, feel, and work just like natural teeth.
- Implant-supported dentures stimulate the jawbone, preventing it from deteriorating and changing your appearance over time.
- Dentures can be removed by the patient when needed
- Dentures can be removed by the patient every night
- Dentures can be cared for just like regular teeth
What to Expect When Getting Implant-Supported Dentures
The procedure for getting implant-supported dentures begins, of course, with a consultation with our prosthodontist, Dr. Andrew Bock. During this appointment, Dr. Bock can assess your goals and examine your mouth in addition to taking diagnostic images that aid in the dental implant placement process.
The next step is to have your dental implants placed. This procedure is performed right in our office and is followed by a fairly lengthy recovery and healing process. During this time, the dental implants must successfully osseointegrate with your jawbone.
Once fully healed, Dr. Bock can place the implant abutments onto which your implant-supported denture connects.
The process of receiving dental implants is slightly different for every patient and the total number of appointments, length of treatment time, and amount of recovery time needed varies based on whether any natural teeth need to be extracted in addition to your jawbone mass or need for bone grafting, how quickly you heal, and how many dental implants are being placed.
Are Implant-Supported Dentures Right for You?
While implant-supported dentures are a fantastic treatment option for patients who are missing most or all of their teeth, they are not the right treatment option for everyone. To be a candidate for implant-supported dentures, you must be healthy enough and have adequate jawbone mass available to successfully receive dental implants. There are several tooth-replacement treatment options available, and our prosthodontist can help you determine which is the best choice for you based on your medical and dental health history, your smile goals, and your budget.
Restore Your Smile at Northern Colorado Prosthetic Dentistry
At NCPD, we’re proud to offer our patients a wide variety of tooth-replacement and smile restoration options with a comprehensive list of restorative dentistry treatments and a selection of cosmetic dentistry services, as well. To learn more about implant-supported dentures and find out if they are the right tooth-replacement choice for you, we welcome you to contact our office to schedule an appointment or to request a consultation time online.
