Implant-Supported Dentures: A Solution for Oral Health

Tooth loss is one of the most common dental problems we see in our adult patients at Parkway Dental Care. Missing teeth can cause a variety of oral, mental/emotional, and overall health issues. The good news is, you don't have to live with tooth loss- there are solutions
For many years, the only solution was traditional dentures. However, now there are many other options including implant-supported dentures. In this article, we'll explain more about this tooth restoration solution.
If you are missing most or all of your teeth and believe that implant-supported dentures may be right for you, schedule a consultation with the team at Parkway Dental Care in Kissimmee, FL.

What are Implant-supported Dentures?

Implant-supported dentures are also known as snap-in or snap-on dentures. It is a permanent tooth restoration solution for patients who are missing most or all of their natural teeth. This solution requires the placement of 4 to 8 implants with an overdenture attached. It is different from implant-retained dentures because the overdenture is permanently secured.

Benefits of Implant-supported Dentures

There are several benefits of implant-supported dentures, including:

• Don't slip/slide around in the mouth

• Prevents bone loss

• Looks, feels, and functions more like natural teeth

• Restores appearance

• Restores oral health and function

• Long-lasting

How do Implant-supported Dentures Work?

Types of Implants

At Parkway Dental Care, we offer two types of dental implants:

Traditional dental implants:

most common type of dental implant, requires adequate bone density

Mini dental implants:

ideal for patients who do not qualify for traditional dental implants

Procedure for Placement

There are several steps involved in the placement of implant-supported dentures.

The first step

is your consultation. At this time, we'll do a full exam, take x-rays and other necessary imaging, review your medical and dental history, and create impressions. If you have any questions or concerns about the procedure, we encourage you to discuss those at this time. We will use this information to create your treatment plan.

Next,

we will place the dental implants. Typically, we use local anesthesia- but, if necessary, we do offer sedation options. We will make an incision in the gum and then drill a small hole in the jawbone. Then, we place the implant and close the incision. You will be given a temporary denture to wear while you are healing. This will prevent you from putting too much pressure on the implants and causing them to shift.

Once the jawbone has healed around and fused with the implant, we will place the abutment. This is the piece that will attach the prosthesis to the implants. A healing cap will be placed on the abutment to prevent the gum from healing over it. An impression will be taken of your gums at this time and sent to the lab for the fabrication of your permanent dentures.

Finally,

when we receive the overdenture, we will schedule you to have it placed. Before we secure it in place, we will make sure that it fits properly. Once secured, you will have a permanent set of teeth- only the dentist will be able to remove it.

Timeline for Placement and Healing

Typically, it takes about two to seven months to get implant-supported dentures but can potentially take longer. This depends on whether or not you require additional procedures such as extractions or bone grafting, as well as how long it takes you to heal between the various stages.

Cost of Implant-supported Dentures

The average cost of implant-supported dentures is $6,000 to $8,000 per arch. This only includes the cost of the implants, the denture, and the implant placement surgery. It does not include things like:

Prep procedures

(extractions, bone grafts, etc)

Oral health procedures

(periodontal treatment, etc)

Sedation

Some dental insurance plans will cover a portion of the cost- if not the full cost. Our office staff will contact your provider to determine coverage. If you do not have dental insurance or your provider does not cover the costs associated with this procedure, we do have financing options, including CareCredit.

Factors that Affect Cost

There are several factors involved in determining the cost of your implant-supported dentures, including:

• The number of implants required

• The type of implants

• Additional procedures

  (extractions, bone grafting, sedation, etc)

• Quality of overdenture

Comparing Costs of Implant-Supported Dentures to Traditional Dentures

Traditional dentures start at around $300 per arch for budget-friendly dentures and go up to around $4,000 per arch for premium. This is much lower than the cost of implant-supported dentures. However, traditional dentures require relines/adjustments every few years and may need to be replaced every 5 to 10 years.

Implant-supported dentures are a larger investment up-front but are designed to last much longer than traditional dentures.

Maintenance and Care for Implant-Supported Dentures

There are a few things you need to know about maintaining and caring for your implant-supported dentures.

Regular Check-Ups and Cleanings

You should visit the clinic every 6 months for a check-up and cleaning. At this time, the dentist will remove the overdenture and examine your implants to make sure that everything is still healthy. Then, we will do a thorough cleaning and place the overdenture back in your mouth.

At-Home Care Tips

According to the American Dental Association, caring for implant-supported dentures is a lot like caring for natural teeth.

1. Before brushing teeth, rinse with an alcohol-free mouthwash to loosen any food/debris
2. Brush twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste
3. Clean cheeks, tongue, roof of mouth, and gums to prevent irritation and bad breath

Conclusion

Missing teeth can cause a variety of oral, mental/emotional, and overall health issues- but you do have options. One of these options at Parkway Dental Care is implant-supported dentures.

If you are missing all or most of your teeth, implant-supported dentures may be a good solution. If you want to learn more, schedule your consultation with the team at Parkway Dental Care. Our highly trained, experienced dentists can help you with this decision.

We are located at 1064 E. Osceola Parkway in Kissimmee and 14811 E Colonial Dr Suite 100, Orlando.

Implant-Supported Denture FAQs

The team at Parkway Dental Care understands that dental procedures can be scary and confusing. That is why we are more than happy to discuss all of your questions and concerns at any time. Below, we'll answer a few of the questions we hear most often about implant-supported dentures:

What are implant-supported dentures?

Implant-supported dentures are a permanent tooth restoration solution for patients who are missing most or all of their natural teeth. This solution requires placement of 4 to 8 dental implants upon which an overdenture will be secured.

How long does it take to get implant-supported dentures?

Since there are several steps involved in the process of getting implant-supported dentures, it takes about 2 to 7 months.

How much do implant-supported dentures cost?

Implant-supported dentures cost approximately $6,000 to $8,000 per arch, depending on several factors:

• Number and type of implants

• Quality of overdenture

• Additional procedures required

The good news is, dental insurance will typically cover a portion of the procedure, if not the entire cost. If you lack coverage or your coverage is inadequate, we do offer financing options.

Are implant-supported dentures comfortable?

Yes, implant-supported dentures are much more comfortable than traditional dentures.