Implant Retained Dentures in Sioux Falls, SD

If you’re missing multiple teeth because of loss or extraction, dentures are an excellent solution. In fact, dentures can replace a complete set of upper or lower teeth, giving you a flawless new smile. They typically comprise natural-looking teeth made of composite or porcelain, attached to a plate made from durable plastic. When placed in your mouth, they look like real teeth, and nobody will ever know you’re wearing full or partial dentures unless you tell them.

Traditional dentures use adhesive to keep them from sliding around inside your mouth. Today, your dentist may recommend a more permanent solution to tooth restoration such as implant retained dentures.

What Are Implant Retained Dentures?

Implant Retained dentures are anchored inside your mouth by posts that have osseointegrated into your jawbone. They don’t move about or slide, and you can brush them as you normally would to keep them clean, bright, and fresh-smelling.

Implant Retained Dentures have many advantages, including:

• Preventing bone loss from missing or extracted teeth
• Giving you a bright, natural-looking smile
• Allowing you to chew, bite, and speak normally
• Relieving the pain of toothache and infected gums
• Being impervious to cavities

Once you’ve been fitted for and received implant retained dentures, you’ll never have to worry about them deteriorating from dental caries. Artificial teeth cannot get cavities, though if you still have upper or lower natural teeth, you’ll still have to care for them regularly.

Can I Get Implant Retained Dentures Right Away?

While your dentist may fit you for temporary dentures to preserve your smile, the implant process for your permanent dentures takes several months. While it’s not an immediate fix, this dental procedure offers amazing results and is well worth the wait. You’ll love your new smile, and implant retained dentures may improve the way you speak, as well. Last, you’ll be able to bite and chew foods you may have had to give up as your natural teeth deteriorated. You may not even realize how much your missing teeth impacted your daily routine until you no longer have to make those adjustments.

If your dental professional decides implant retained dentures are the best way to restore your dental health, they’ll sit down with you to discuss the procedure, so you’ll know what to expect as far as timeline and results. You’ll need several repeat visits over a series of months to complete the procedure, but once your dentures are in place, you’ll love your dazzling new smile.

What Is the Procedure for Implant Retained Dentures?

The procedure for having implant retained dentures applied takes place over a period of time, with each step broken down for your dentist to check and re-check to make sure everything is as it should be.

1. Diagnostic Consultation

The first step in the process is to schedule an initial consultation with your dental professional. At this visit, they may discuss your medical history and physical health as well as perform diagnostic tests such as X-rays or a CT scan. They may also take impressions of your existing teeth and gums. This is all designed to check bone health and tooth placement. If you’re a suitable candidate for implant retained dentures, you’ll proceed to the next step.

2. Post Implantation

The location of implanted posts varies from patient to patient and is based on many factors such as whether you’re having upper or lower teeth restored. Often, the posts are implanted in the front because this area of the mouth has a higher bone mass and fewer nerve endings.

First, your dental professional will make incisions in the gum and drill into the bone beneath it to implant the tiny posts. Afterward, they’ll stitch the incisions closed and fit you with temporary dentures designed in such a way that they don’t place pressure on the incised area. Your next procedure will take place after the posts have osseointegrated, or bonded, with the bone. For upper dentures, this may take between 5 and 6 months. For lower dentures, less time is required — usually between 3 and 4 months.

3. Placement of Healing Collars

Once the posts have bonded well with the bone beneath them, your dental specialist will make another incision to expose the tips of the posts. At this time, they’ll place healing collars on top of each post. These are usually composed of metal, and they separate the exposed area of the post from the surrounding gum tissue.

4. Placement of Abutments

Your collars will remain in place for around 2 weeks, after which time, they’re replaced with the abutments used to hold the denture plate. Once your abutments are in place, your dentist will take final impressions of your mouth. These impressions will be the ones used to fabricate your new dentures.

5. Insertion of Dentures

Finally, you’ll be ready to try out your new dentures. Your dentist will fit them in your mouth temporarily to make sure they fit well and are comfortable. If everything is as it should be, he’ll attach the artificial teeth to the dental plate.

At your next visit, he’ll affix your dentures permanently to the abutments. At this point, you have your new implant retained dentures. You’ll leave your dentist appointment with a bright, dazzling smile and a renewed confidence in your appearance. Any previous problems you have with speaking or chewing will be improved or alleviated, and you’ll have no more pain of toothache or infected gums in the area of your new dentures.

Your dentist may want you to return in a few weeks, just to make sure your new dentures are working as they should. In most instances, this is just a formality. Most implant retained denture procedures are complication-free.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Implant Retained Dentures

Be sure to discuss any questions you have with your dental provider before choosing implant retained dentures. Frequently asked questions include the following.

Q. How Long Does the Whole Procedure Take?

A. The entire time frame required to have implant retained dentures fitted and applied varies between patients and providers. However, most procedures are completed within a 5- to 7-month time frame.

Q. How Do I Care for My New Implant Retained Dentures?

A. Your dental professional will discuss the care and maintenance of your new dentures. Generally, you’ll need to remove all detachable pieces for cleaning. You’ll want to brush your dentures well with a special cleaner designed for this purpose. And you must brush and floss in and around the abutments as well. Removing your dentures at night will help prevent bacterial growth.

Q. Will My Implant Retained Dentures Last a Lifetime?

A. With the right maintenance and care, your new dentures should last between 10 and 20 years, though the attachment hardware may need to be replaced annually. For best results, keep regularly scheduled appointments with your dental provider.

Q. Is the Implant Procedure Painful?

A. Your dental professional will take care to make your implant procedure as painless as possible, which includes the use of anesthetic. As with most medical procedures, you may experience some discomfort afterward. Your dentist will have post-operative instructions for you, which may include taking pain medication.

Q. Will My New Dentures Feel Comfortable?

A. You may experience a brief adjustment period as your mouth acclimates to your new dentures. But this period should be brief, and your new dentures will soon feel natural. Eventually, you won’t notice you’re wearing them, and they’ll feel like a normal part of your mouth.

Q. Are Implant Retained Dentures Expensive?

A. Unfortunately, many dental insurance providers do not cover the costs of dental implants because they categorize them as cosmetic surgery. However, every case is unique. Make sure you check with your insurance representative beforehand, especially if the condition of your existing teeth is impacting your physical health. Otherwise, the cost of implant retained dentures may range between $12,000 and $25,000, depending upon the work that must be done. Many dental providers offer flexible payment options for larger projects such as dentures. You may also want to consider using a credit card to help break the cost down into more affordable payments.

When you’re ready to discuss the benefits and advantages of implant retained dentures, call us today. One of our friendly and professional representatives will be happy to schedule an initial consultation.