Implant supported dentures (2023)

What are implant prostheses?

Implant prostheses are often considered an improvement on traditional dentures. Instead of relying on messy pastes and adhesives to hold dentures in place, this option is designed to anchor restorations in the jaw with dental implants. For many patients, this added security provides a more comfortable denture fit, minimizing gum irritation and slippage for increased confidence when eating, drinking and speaking. Additionally, people with implant-supported dentures often find that they can eat tougher foods, as well as a greater variety of foods, compared to traditional dentures. Treatment for implant-supported dentures involves placing small titanium pins into the patient's gum tissue to serve as the attachment point for the dentures or restorations. Therefore, implant dentures must remain in place for life and function as a natural part of the mouth.

What are the benefits of dentures over implants?

The key to the success of implant-supported prosthetics, also known as implant-supported prosthetics, is a set of titanium pins implanted into the gingival tissue. These titanium pins eventually fuse with your jawbone and allow your dentures to snap securely into place, eliminating the need for adhesives and providing a more comfortable and secure fit. is advanceddental prosthesisThe technique can provide benefits including:

• Great reduction of slippage along the gum line.
• Minimized gum irritation
• zero stickers
• improved comfort
• Natural look and feel.

Additionally, patients who are not suitable for a full set of dental implants due to insufficient bone density are often good candidates for implant-supported prostheses.

Implant-supported prosthetic options

At Dr. Victor Oelbaum & Associates, we offer several types of implant-supported prosthetics so you can select the option that best suits your needs:

• Traditional implant-supported prosthetics
• all in 4^®Anchored Dentures

During the consultation process, your dentist will discuss the unique advantages of each type of implant-supported prosthesis and help you decide which treatment plan can achieve your goals.

How is the procedure for implant prostheses performed?

Implant-supported prostheses are considered minimally invasive oral surgery. After your dentist strategically inserts the allotted number of titanium posts at the gum line, your implants will integrate into your jawbone over the next few months. The length of the procedure to place your implants varies from case to case, but recovery and downtime are generally minimal. Meanwhile, your custom dentures will be manufactured by a third-party dental laboratory. After your gums have healed and the titanium pins have been successfully fused to your jawbone, the permanent dentures can be fixed into place. With proper care and maintenance, your implant-supported dentures can give you a confident, beautiful smile for decades to come.

How long do implant-supported prostheses last?

Once fully integrated into the jaw bone, implant prosthetics should function as a natural part of the mouth. Therefore, the lifespan of dental implants is often comparable to the longevity of natural teeth. If you don't maintain daily oral hygiene or get regular dental checkups to monitor the status of your oral health, your teeth and gums are more likely to become weak due to cavities. Poor oral hygiene habits can compromise the safety of your dental implants, and the buildup of bacteria in the mouth is considered one of the main reasons for implant failure.

With consistent brushing and flossing, as well as semi-annual professional dental cleanings, implant-supported dentures can last 10 to 20 years or more. These results far exceed the result of traditional dentures, which typically only last 5-10 years as the jawbone continues to recede. Unlike dentures that simply sit on the jaw, implant-supported dentures are designed to strengthen the underlying bone, allowing them to last indefinitely with proper oral care.

What is the average cost of implant prostheses?

The price of implant prostheses will be unique for each patient. In general, the total expense will depend in part on the state of your oral health and whether dental therapy (such as periodontal treatment), tooth extractions, or a bone grafting procedure is required prior to the placement of dental implants. Other factors that may affect your cost estimate include:

• The number of dental implants needed
• The number of teeth that need to be replaced
• The type and quality of your restoration.
• The implantation technique used

The experience of your dentist and the geographic location where the procedure is performed will also influence the price of implant prosthetics. Because this restorative treatment is such a subjective procedure, it can be difficult to determine the average cost of treatment without knowing the details of your treatment plan. You can be sure that once your unique needs are assessed in a consultation, a friendly member of our team will provide you with a personalized quote, as well as a complete breakdown of the estimated cost of implant prosthetics.

Ensuring that all patients can receive the dental care they need to improve their smile and oral health is of the utmost importance to our team, which is why we accept a variety of payment methods to work the cost of treatment into your budget. To accommodate the diverse needs of our patients, ourpracticealso works with CareCredit^®— the nation's leading health care finance company offering a variety of interest-free and low-interest payment plans to qualified applicants. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our practice.

Are there alternatives to implanted prostheses?

Our practice in the Bronx area offers several alternatives to prosthetic implants, including fixed prosthetics.dental bridgesand implant-supported bridges. Our team strives to formulate the best possible treatment plan for your needs and preferences, and we will be able to present possible alternatives to implant-supported prosthetics during your consultation.

Generally speaking, dental bridges are designed to replace one or more consecutive missing teeth, filling in the missing space with a partial denture. This prosthesis, which is usually attached to adjacent healthy teeth by means ofdental crowns, is meant to "fill" the void. This can help complete your smile and restore a well-functioning bite. These restorations differ from implant-supported dentures in that they are typically fixed with crowns rather than anchored to the jawbone, and they restore only a portion of the dentition rather than the entire dental arch. That being said, dental bridges can also be fixed in the mouth with dental implants if desired, depending on your long-term goals.

After visiting our clinic, our dentists can discuss your goals with you and explore the most ideal treatment options to address your concerns. Whether you opt for a fixed or implant-supported restoration, our solutions to replace missing teeth can provide functional and cosmetic benefits to your smile.

Additional Frequently Asked Questions about Implant Prosthetics

What should I eat after implant prosthesis surgery?

Immediately after the procedure, patients should maintain an all-liquid diet until instructed otherwise by their dentist, periodontist, or implant surgeon. This can include smoothies, protein drinks, smooth soups, applesauce, etc. It is important to avoid very hot or very cold foods during the initial healing period. Our team will provide you with detailed instructions on post-implant surgery care.

How long does it take for the gums to heal after implant placement?

Each person's recovery time after implant surgery depends on the number of implants placed, the location of the implants, and whether a bone graft or tooth extraction procedure has been previously performed. On average, swollen gums take approximately three days to improve, and we recommend that you avoid strenuous activity during this time. Many patients are able to resume their normal routine a few days after the procedure, although pain and tenderness are common. It typically takes four to six months for implants to properly fuse with the jawbone, a process known as "osseointegration."

Do implant prostheses offer any health benefits?

If you are struggling with multiple missing teeth, implant-supported dentures can have a number of additional health benefits. The implants allow for greater safety and confidence when chewing, so patients can eat crunchy, nutritious foods that they would otherwise miss out on. This can not only lead to positive health benefits, but can also reduce the buildup of bacteria in the mouth caused by unhealthy foods. In addition, implant-supported prostheses work to prevent bone volume loss and encourage the regeneration of a healthy and stable bone structure.

Are implant-supported prostheses removable?

Implant-supported dentures are generally fixed in the jawbone, which is often considered one of the main benefits of treatment compared to traditional dentures that slide in and out of place. With your dentures attached to your jaw by dental implants, there should be greater security for your dentures so that you can eat and speak with more confidence and comfort. Implant-supported dentures do not need to be removed to remain in good condition, and your dentures can be cleaned the same way you care for your natural teeth, with consistent brushing and flossing.

Will I need preliminary treatments before placing dentures on implants?

In certain cases, our team may need to perform preliminary treatments prior to implant surgery to ensure that your mouth and oral health are in the best possible condition. In general, the process of bonding dentures onto jaw implants is most successful when your mouth is in its healthiest possible state. If there is evidence of bacterial buildup, we may suggestperiodontal treatmentin advance to clean the gums of caries and reduce the risk of possible complications during the procedure.

Equally important to obtain a good result with implant-supported prostheses is having sufficient bone volume to support the implants. Missing teeth can cause the jaw to gradually recede, sometimes resulting in too much bone loss to properly anchor dental implants. In some cases, a bone graft may be necessary to help regenerate the jaw bone and create a stable base for implant-supported prosthetics. Fortunately, implant-supported dentures generally require less bone density to remain secure than using dental implants to replace individual teeth.

For more information about implant-supported dentures or to schedule an appointment with one of our dentists, pleasehoy.