Implant Dentures – Wilmington, IL
Replace Your Teeth, Restore Your Smile
The American College of Prosthodontists reports an estimated 36 million adults in the United States are living without any natural teeth. While dentures have been used for centuries to rebuild incomplete smiles, many patients struggle to maintain them. By combining dental implants with dentures to create implant dentures, though, a more stable and long-lasting result is possible. At Grand Dental – Wilmington, our in-house periodontist can perform the start-to-finish procedure in-house, so contact us to schedule a consultation today.
Why Choose Grand Dental - Wilmington for Implant Dentures?
- Dental Implant Placement & Restoration Provided In-House
- Highly Skilled Periodontist on Staff
- CT/Cone Beam Scanner Used for Detailed Treatment Planning
What Are Implant Dentures?
Implant dentures replace an entire row of missing teeth. They require between four and six dental implants, each of which contains a titanium post and metal abutment (attachment). The posts mimic the function of natural tooth roots and are inserted into the jawbone so that they will fuse over time. This creates a solid foundation for the custom denture that will be secured on top. Implant dentures allow for better function, aesthetics, and comfort than traditional dentures, as they restore both the roots and crowns of teeth instead of sitting on top of the gums.
Our dentists at Grand Dental – Wilmington offer implant dentures to individuals who are without any remaining natural teeth, and during an initial consultation, we will examine the person’s mouth and discuss their needs and preferences to determine which type of implant denture they should receive:
Fixed/Permanent Implant Dentures
A fixed or permanent (hybrid) implant denture is designed to remain inside the mouth and cannot be removed by anyone other than a dentist. It needs 4-6 dental implants that are carefully placed and positioned in the jawbone, creating optimal support for the denture, so healthy jawbone density is required.
Removable Implant Dentures
A removable implant denture (Snap-On denture) requires less jawbone density and only 2-5 implants. It contains a bar- or ball-retained clip that allows a person to easily remove the denture when needed (i.e., to clean).
The Implant Denture Process
Patients who pursue this type of treatment can expect the main process to include an initial consultation that will determine if additional bone grafting, gum disease, treatment, or tooth extraction is required before undergoing surgery. Once a person is cleared for treatment, our in-house periodontist will begin the oral procedure by administering local anesthesia before placing each implant into its designated spot. The individual will return home to recover and allow osseointegration to occur (the fusing of the implants and bone), which can take 4-6 months, before returning to our office to receive their metal abutments that help attach the denture to the posts. The final step is for the patient to receive their custom denture, which will be secured on top.
Although the process is longer and more involved than traditional dentures, the results are worth the wait.
Am I a Candidate for Implant Dentures?
A patient who is in good general oral and overall health can receive implant dentures. Also, if someone is tired of living with regular dentures and wants to make the switch, it is possible. A scheduled consultation with our Grand Dental – Wilmington team is required, though, to ensure there are no underlying issues that might hinder the success of one’s implant dentures. We’ll check to make sure there are no signs of gum disease or existing tooth decay, and we’ll examine the density of the jawbone to make sure it can adequately support the finalized denture when placed.
Benefits of Combining Dentures & Dental Implants
Implant dentures do require a patient to spend additional time and money to achieve long-lasting results, but the benefits that stem from this type of treatment are many:
- Patients will enjoy a smile that can last 30 years or more.
- Individuals will have greater confidence when speaking to others.
- Patients can eat the foods they love without worrying about their teeth sliding or slipping.
- Patients can enjoy better oral health because of the continuous stimulation that is delivered to the jawbone, which reduces the potential for further bone and tooth loss.