Downtown Dental Excellence offers Implant Supported Dentures in Cleveland, TX

Whether it is due to tooth decay or simply an aspect of the aging process, your teeth may begin to fall out. When this is the case, different teeth replacement options will need to be considered. When there is a significant amount of teeth lost, the best option will likely be dentures. Still, there are a few different types of dentures that you may be able to choose from. Before understanding different types of dentures, though, it’s important to understand what dentures are.

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Two smiling mature with implant dentures

Implant Dentures

Implant dentures are a mixture between dental implants, and dentures. Implant dentures involve the placement of implants in the jawbone; but instead of holding a tooth in place, they hold a denture in place. There are various forms of implant dentures, but they all have this similarity in common.

Candidates for Implant Dentures

While implant dentures can be helpful to many patients, sadly they are not an available option for everyone. One major factor as to whether a patient can or cannot have implant dentures placed is the integrity of their jawbone. If a patient has a jawbone that does not have enough bone tissue to support an implant or multiple implants, they may not be a candidate. Still, there may be a way for the patient to recover the bone needed to place an implant denture…

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Bone Grafting

A bone graft is a procedure that involves the repair of damaged bone tissue utilizing bone or synthetic material that is placed in the area of the injury to encourage the growth of bone tissue. There are a variety of different bone graft procedures that can be used for different scenarios. If an area has experienced a significant amount of bone loss, a patient may be a candidate for a block to be placed. If a patient is having a tooth extracted, there may be the option of placing a grafting material that will encourage the growth of bone in the area, allowing for the placement of the implant.

It is important to understand that bone grafts are not an option for all patients, and that bone grafts aren’t guaranteed to succeed. For some patients, the bone graft fails. When this is the case, other options need to be considered. When it comes to dentures, a patient may need to go with traditional dentures if a bone graft doesn’t work.

The Implant Denture Process

The first step of any dental procedure is to visit the dentist for a consultation. From there, they can run different test to see if you are a good candidate for the procedure. In this case, your dentist will have a look at your gums and jawbone to see if you are a candidate for implant dentures. This process will involve your dentist taking x-rays, and it may even involve a CT scan. Once they have determined whether or not you have enough bone to support the implants for the implant dentures, they will decide how to proceed. If you do not have enough bone to support implant dentures, they may consider a bone graft. If that is not an option, they will likely discuss traditional dentures with you. Once they have made the decision to place implant dentures, they will make you a complete set of dentures to give you the support you need before the implant procedure.

The first surgery will involve the dentist making an incision and placing the actual implants into the jawbone. Once this procedure is completed, time will be given for the area to heal, and for the titanium rods to properly fuse with the jawbone. While this is happening, the temporary dentures that were made will be used.

The second surgery is often 4 to 6 months after the initial surgery. During this surgery, your dentist will make an incision and expose the tops of the implants. They will then place healing caps to allow for proper healing in preparation of the placement of the implant dentures. They will also take x-rays to ensure the bone and rod are properly fused, and that everything looks okay.

The last visit will involve the dentist removing the healing caps, and placing the implant dentures. They will check to make sure that the implant dentures fit properly, and look the way they are supposed to. You will likely have a say in the way you want your implant dentures to look—from the shade to the shape. Still, your dentist wants to ensure that the implant dentures that were created for you fit properly—and allow for a strong enough bite.

It is important to pay attention to how the implant dentures feel after the procedure. While there may be a short adjustment period, if the implant dentures are bothering you for a prolonged period, speak with your dentist. They may be able to adjust the implant dentures so they are more comfortable.

If you have lost your teeth, speak with your dentist about the placement of implant dentures.

Call Downtown Dental Excellence Today! (281) 592-0597