Implant Dentures – Pensacola, FL
Get the Best of Implants & Dentures
If you lack most or all of your teeth, you may consider standard dentures. After all, modern versions of these prosthetics are better than ever! Still, it’s a fact that a regular denture leaves much to be desired. That being the case, you may want to try implant dentures in Pensacola. These restorations pair with dental implants to provide top functionality. Plus, we at Patriot Dental would be happy to provide you with them. To learn more, just keep reading or book a visit to our office.
What are Implant Dentures?
Remember, dentures are appliances made of artificial teeth and a gum-colored base. They also rely on suction to stay in place and fit over your gum tissue. As a result, dentures can restore a patient’s smile seamlessly.
Well, implant dentures are a more advanced model. They attach directly to the jawbone using dental implants – titanium posts that replace missing tooth roots. This feature affords you a more lifelike, comfortable, and functional smile than ordinary dentures could.
Based on your oral health needs, your dentist may recommend one of two types of implant dentures at your consultation:
Fixed/Permanent Implant Dentures
Per their name, fixed implant dentures are designed to stay firmly in place. Only a qualified dentist can safely remove them from your mouth.
Typically, these dentures use four to six strategically-placed implants in the jawbone. Doing so allows them to support a whole arch of new teeth.
Removable Implant Dentures
Removable implant dentures, naturally, are those that can be removed from your mouth. Some groups also call them “Snap-On dentures” as a result.
Technically, these removable dentures do still use dental implants. They snap onto the titanium posts rather than fuse with them. For this latter act, they use clips or ball sockets as needed.
The Implant Denture Process
Implant dentures have a unique treatment process. Getting them involves more than what ordinary dentures would.
For starters, treatment kicks off with a consultation. You see, a visit with our dentists helps them learn your smile goals, oral health history, and more.
Next, the dentist will place your future dentures’ implants. This surgery will occur in-house. The dental team will make small gum incisions and set the posts in each.
Following surgery, your jaw and implants will undergo a fusion. This process – called osseointegration – will occur over the next 3-6 months. Once it’s over, you’ll return so your denture can be anchored.
Am I a Candidate for Implant Dentures?
Generally, most adults with severe tooth loss can get implant dentures. Those tired or frustrated with regular dentures are even encouraged to do so. That said, some are better treatment candidates than others. Therefore, our office will review your background during the consultation before treatment. Depending on what we find, we’ll confirm whether implant dentures would work for you.
As a rough guide, ensure you have the following qualities as a treatment candidate:
- Decent physical health
- Free of oral health issues (cavities, gum disease, etc.)
- Sufficient jawbone density
Benefits of Combining Dentures & Dental Implants
Common benefits of implant dentures include:
- Greatly Improved Biting Power
- Prevention of Jawbone Erosion
- Easy Maintenance
- Cost-Effectiveness (i.e., save thousands of dollars in replacements)
- Long-lasting results (i.e., 20 years or more with proper care)