Implant-Supported Dentures
A healthy smile is key to your quality of life. If you are missing all of your teeth, finding a solution that allows you to perform simple daily tasks like eating and speaking naturally can be difficult. At AV Sierra Dental Center, we offer implant-supported dentures in Palmdale, CA, as a long-term option for replacing your teeth and some of the roots. Implant dentures will give you back your smile, along with the confidence that their stability ensures.
What Are Implant-Supported Dentures in Palmdale?
Dental Implant Dentures
Dental implants for false teeth are the perfect solution for replacing missing teeth. Traditional dentures have an acrylic base that looks like gum tissue, along with natural-looking porcelain or acrylic teeth attached to the acrylic base; they are removable and rest on top of the gum line. Denture implants, however, consist of traditional dentures attached to titanium implants, so they are secured directly to the jawbone. They are a good solution for those who have lost all their teeth but still have enough remaining jawbone to support the titanium implants. They are particularly helpful on the lower jaw, where traditional dentures are far less stable and can become uncomfortable and even painful.
Implant dentures can be either removable or fixed for a more permanent solution. There are two main types of implant-supported dentures:
- Bar-retained: A thin metal bar runs along the jawline and is attached to two to five implants. Clasps are fixed along the bar and dentures so that the dentures can be secured to the bar and held firmly in place.
- Ball-retained: Each implant has a ball-shaped metal attachment that snaps into the denture and holds it securely in place.
The Permanent Denture Implant Procedure
The amount of time it takes for the complete implant procedure varies according to which teeth you are replacing and the condition of the remaining gums and jawbones. On average, it takes five months to complete the lower jaw and seven months to complete the upper jaw; however, it can take up to a year or more.
We take the following steps when receiving your implant dentures.
- Initial consultation: Dr. Oh has advanced training in the placement of dental implants and will meet with you to review your medical and dental history, take X-rays, and create impressions of your teeth and gums, with which we make the models.
- Temporary dentures: If you aren’t wearing a denture, we will provide you with a temporary set until your final implant dentures are ready. This temporary denture will help Dr. Oh determine the final position of your teeth for your final denture implant.
- First surgery: During the first surgery, we place the implants in the jawbone under the gums. Dr. Oh waits approximately three to four months for the lower jaw or five to six months for the upper jaw before scheduling the next surgery to ensure the implants have properly fused to the jawbone.
- Second surgery: During the second surgery, we expose the implants and place a healing cap on the head of each one. Two weeks later, we replace the healing caps with the regular abutments, and take an impression of the gums and abutments to make the final implant denture.
- Denture insertion: We place the metal bar or balls on the abutments, and the dentist places the dentures for you to try. Finally, we make any adjustments to insert your final denture implant.
Implant-Supported Dentures in Palmdale Aftercare
You must remove and clean your denture and all attachments every night. Your implant-supported dentures in Palmdale will be more stable and comfortable than your regular dentures. You can eat foods you couldn’t with regular dentures, and you’ll feel confident while speaking and socializing.
