Whether you recently lost a few of your permanent teeth or you’ve been wearing ill-fitting dentures for too long, implant-supported dentures may be just the solution you’ve been looking for. Also known as overdentures, implant-supported dentures use custom-made bionic tooth roots to provide a permanent solution for missing teeth. At Denture In, denturists Tad Burzynski, LD, RDH, and Andrew Burzynski, LD, provide comprehensive denture restorative services, including implant-supported dentures. Call their office in Bend, Oregon, today, or schedule an appointment online.
Dental implants are custom-fitted, artificial tooth roots made from long-lasting, medical-grade materials. The implant itself, usually made from titanium, is surgically anchored into your jawbone, much like a real tooth root.
When a dental implant is used to replace a single tooth, it’s typically finished with a custom-made porcelain crown. Besides being strong, stable, and permanent, dental implants are a popular restorative solution because they blend in perfectly with a natural-looking smile.
Implant-supported dentures are complete, removable appliances that use dental implants to stay firmly in place. Because the implants are secured to your jawbone and the dentures fit firmly over the implants, they’re more stable than conventional dentures.
Successful implantation surgery requires healthy gum tissue and adequate bone mass. If you’re in good health and your jawbone structure is sufficient, you should be able to undergo implant surgery without any additional procedures like bone grafting or sinus augmentation.
Before receiving implants, you’ll undergo a cone beam computed tomography scan to ensure you’re a good candidate for the procedure. This special type of X-ray produces a 3D image of your teeth, soft tissues, nerves, and bones.
In addition to revealing essential details about your bone structure, the image will also help the team at Denture In determine the size and type of implants you’ll need, as well as how to best place the implants in your bone.
Dental implant surgery is an in-office procedure performed under local anesthesia. If you require one or more tooth extractions first, your denturist at Denture In gently removes those teeth and prepares the area for implantation.
Next, they anchor the titanium roots into your jawbone at predetermined points. Securing your gum over the implant helps protect the implant as it fuses with your jawbone and your gum tissues heal, a process that typically takes several months.
The time it takes to complete dental implantation varies from patient to patient, largely depending on how long it takes to recover after the initial surgery and whether or not you need additional procedures like bone grafting.
Once the implant is fused, you’ll return to the office to receive your custom-made overdenture.
To find out if denture-supported implants are right for you, call Denture In today, or make an appointment using the convenient online booking feature.
