Implant-Supported Dentures in Scottsdale, AZ
Losing just a single tooth to decay or gum disease can be an agonizing experience. People who lose teeth often become less certain in social situations and can suffer from diminished self-esteem. It can also affect you physically, including causing you pain and altering how you smile, speak, and eat. When patients come to Dr. Jeffrey D. Clark at Scottsdale Cosmetic Dentistry Excellence due to multiple missing teeth, he often recommends implant-supported dentures, which are also known as implant overdentures and snap-on dentures. Implants are the dentistry standard for tooth replacement because they allow for fully functional and aesthetic restoration without putting stress on the remaining natural teeth. They will allow you to smile, speak, and eat naturally, and you will never have to worry about shifting as you would with basic dentures. Whether you have recently lost teeth or have grown frustrated with conventional removable dentures, implanted-supported dentures may be the best way to restore your smile.
What Are Implant-Supported Dentures?
The implants used for dentures in Scottsdale can replace a single tooth up to an entire row of missing teeth. Conventional dentures rest on your gums, but implant-supported dentures rest on an abutment that is attached to a titanium post that has been inserted into the jaw. A problematic aspect of conventional full and partial dentures is that bone loss occurs in the areas where the natural teeth are missing. With an implant, on the other hand, the titanium post stimulates the jawbone as a natural tooth root does. This not only allows for a more secure denture but maintains jawbone density. With implant-supported dentures, you will be able to smile with confidence, speak loud and clear, and thoroughly chew the foods you love. Having your teeth replaced and jaw preserved will also avoid the sagging facial structure that can cause a person to look aged and even unhealthy. You will also enjoy the benefits of traditional dentures, such as being able to remove them for cleaning and maintenance.
What Does the Implant Overdentures Procedure Entail?
The process will begin with an initial consultation with Dr. Clark in his Scottsdale office. Dr. Clark will discuss the procedure, answer your questions, perform a thorough exam, and determine if you are a suitable candidate. If you are a candidate and choose to proceed, Dr. Clark will develop a treatment plan that is personalized to you and which will deliver optimal results. In preparation, Dr. Clark will need to make digital impressions of your teeth and other oral structures using the latest dental technologies. He can then use this imaging data to model the ideal placement of your dental implants.
The next step is to have your implants installed so that your dentures can be anchored to them. Each implant will be a post made of pure titanium and will be surgically implanted into your jaw by a leading implantologist who Dr. Clark partners with. How many implants are required varies from one patient to the next, but in the average case, four to six titanium posts are required per full denture. After placement, a period of time will be needed in order for the jaw to heal and bond with the implant through a process called osseointegration. Once that healing is complete, the denture can be placed, and many patients report that their implant-supported dentures function and feel just like natural teeth.
What Are the Advantages of Implant-Supported Dentures?
Choosing between conventional dentures and implant-supported dentures is a very personal decision. Let us consider some of the reasons why implants may be the better choice for you.
- Quality of Life. While basic dentures certainly improve the standard of living for someone with missing teeth, they are not an ideal solution. Implant-retained dentures, on the other hand, give you full confidence since you can smile, speak, and eat just as if you had never lost any teeth at all.
- Dentures Remain in Place. A common complaint with conventional dentures is that they can shift and often at inconvenient times. Implant-supported dentures, however, are connected to implants that are embedded into your jaw rather than simply being held in place with a dental adhesive. For that reason, you will never have to worry about chewing hard foods and other activities, causing the appliance to shift.
- Product Longevity. Implant-supported dentures are an increasingly popular tooth-replacement option among patients in Scottsdale because they can last a lifetime. All that is required is good oral hygiene at home and a regular visit to Dr. Clark every six months.
- Natural Appearance. Since implant-retained dentures are secured by a titanium post inserted into the gum, they are indistinguishable from real teeth. In addition, if you have remaining natural teeth, the false teeth portion of your dentures can be color-matched to perfection.
- Natural Chewing Power. Implant dentures restore your biting power to your natural capabilities. The bite force among people who wear traditional dentures is less, and that can make it difficult to enjoy some of the foods you love. With implants, you never have to make such sacrifices.
- Confident Speech. Implants let you speak as clearly and confidently as you did before losing any teeth. Basic dentures, on the other hand, can make enunciation more difficult.
- Jawbone Preservation. Missing teeth lead to jawbone recession in those areas because the bone lacks the necessary stimulation. Basic dentures do not provide the needed stimulus, but implants do and thus ensure that your jaw retains its shape and strength throughout your lifetime.
- Convenient Care. Maintaining your implant-supported dentures is simple. Brush them as you would your original teeth, or remove them when you feel that you need a deeper clean.
Are All Patients Candidates for Implant Dentures?
Many patients who have lost one or multiple teeth are suitable candidates for implant-retained dentures, but not all. Dr. Clark will determine if you have the necessary jawbone density. If you do not, bone grafting may be a possible solution. Dr. Clark will also need to evaluate your periodontal health and your general well-being. If a patient has gum disease, it is often necessary to treat that disease first. Once that disease is reversed or managed, and the gum health restored enough, the patient can proceed with the implants. There are certain medical conditions that eliminate a patient as a candidate either for a period of time or permanently, and there are certain medical treatments that interfere with the necessary healing process, such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Dr. Clark will evaluate all of these factors at his North Scottsdale office and help you make the best available choice for you.
Why Choose Implant-Supported Over Conventional Dentures?
Implant dentures are an excellent option for tooth replacement because they not only restore oral function but enhance your appearance and help protect both your oral health and systemic health. Since the implants are inserted into your jaw and mimic your natural tooth roots, you will enjoy the same stability you had with the original teeth. You will never have to worry about them slipping out of place or food being too tough to chew. Your implant-retained dentures will appear more natural because they will sit flush with your gums and complement the natural contours of your mouth. Your implant dentures will help to ensure jawbone health throughout your life because the implant stimulates the jaw, which causes your body to distribute the nutrients it needs. You will not have to worry about jaw degradation and future tooth loss in the way you may have to with conventional dentures.
Chew the Foods You Love With Custom-Made Dentures
Implant-supported dentures are an excellent tooth replacement option that has helped many patients enjoy beautiful and fully functional smiles. Jeffrey D. Clark, DDS, is a leading cosmetic dentist in Scottsdale with extensive experience helping patients choose and benefit from implant-supported dentures. If you have missing or seriously damaged teeth, we recommend you set up a consultation with Dr. Clark as soon as possible. You can schedule your appointment at Scottsdale Cosmetic Dentistry Excellence by calling us at 480 585 1853.
