Dental Implant Retained Dentures

Many patients who have experienced advanced tooth loss believe that traditional partial or full dentures are their only options. While the traditional, removable dentures allow patients to restore their appearance and some of the basic tooth function, there is a potentially better solution – dental implant supported dentures. By replacing lost tooth roots, implant retained dentures offer increased stability and longevity, leaving patients with more natural looking and feeling smiles. If you want to learn more about your advanced dental implant tooth replacement options, contact Wayland Dental to schedule a consultation today. We’ll review your case, explain your treatment options, and partner with you to create a personalized tooth replacement plan that fits your needs and budget.

The Implant Denture Process

Dental implants are placed in two phases. For an implant denture, the initial phase is the surgical placement of two to six dental implant posts. The procedure is relatively simple. We numb the area to be treated. Then, an incision is made into the gum tissue, and the implant post is placed into the jawbone. Protective caps are attached to the tops of the newly placed implants. This allows the soft tissue and supportive alveolar bone tissue to fuse with the implant, recreating the lost tooth roots. The fusion of the implant with the supportive tissue is called osseointegration, and this process can take three to six months. Once the implants have fully fused with the jawbone, patients return to the office where we’ll attach abutments that hold the restoration in place and design a custom partial or full denture. Our trusted lab will create the denture based on our design, and when we receive the final restoration, you’ll return to the office. We attach the custom denture to the implant posts, and you’ll have a smile that looks and feels like brand new.

Cost of Implant Dentures

Implant supported dentures can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $30,000, and in rare cases, patients can end up investing even more in their implant prosthetic. While this can be a high price to pay, the end result is a permanent smile. The majority of patients keep their custom implant supported dentures for the rest of their lifetime. Traditional dentures are more affordable, but they also need to be repaired regularly. Removable dentures are typically only good for five to seven years before they need to be replaced. Investing more time and money on the front end for dental implant supported dentures may actually end up saving you time and money over the life of your restoration.

Benefits of Implant Dentures

There are many benefits of choosing an implant retained denture rather than a traditional, removable denture, including:

• Stability – traditional dentures only restore about 20% of chewing ability, but implant retained dentures can renew 70% or more natural chewing range
• Longevity – traditional dentures only last five to seven years before they need to be replaced, but even the lowest quality implant denture will last ten or more years
• Natural appearance – implant retained dentures stay firmly in place where they look and feel more like natural teeth

What’s Right for Me?

The only way to know for sure what tooth replacement option is right for you is to schedule an appointment with our skilled dentists. No treatment is right for everyone, and we’ll help you make the best choice.