When you lose a tooth, it’s important to replace it to protect your oral health. Missing teeth can affect your bite, as well as your ability to speak and chew comfortably. Over time, the loss of teeth can also strain your remaining teeth, leading to muscle pain in your jaw or even headaches. If you’re missing multiple teeth, implant retained dentures may be the ideal solution to restore both your smile and your confidence.
At Dentistry at Kennestone, our implant-retained dentures provide a stable, natural-looking solution that enhances your appearance and supports your oral health.
What Are Implant Retained Dentures?
Implant retained dentures are dentures that are securely anchored using dental implants.
Dental implants are small titanium posts surgically placed into your jawbone to act as artificial tooth roots. Titanium is biocompatible, which means it fuses naturally with your bone, creating unmatched stability and support for your dentures.
Unlike conventional dentures, implant-retained dentures won’t slip or shift when you speak or eat, offering greater comfort and an improved quality of life.
What Are the Benefits of Implant Retained Dentures?
Some of the benefits implant retained dentures have to offer include:
- Provide greater stability and prevent dentures from shifting or slipping during eating or speaking.
- These dentures often fit more comfortably than traditional ones, reducing sore spots and irritation.
- Dental implants stimulate the jawbone, helping to prevent bone loss that typically occurs after tooth extraction, thus maintaining facial structure.
- Many patients find that they don't need dental adhesives with implant retained dentures, making them more convenient to use.
What If I’m Missing All of my Lower Teeth?
While many patients can wear an upper denture without issues, lower dentures often present challenges with fit and stability. If you’re missing all of your lower teeth, we offer several implant-supported options to give you a secure, functional smile.
Ball Attachment Denture
This option involves placing two implants in your lower jaw, with a denture that snaps securely onto them. This creates a more stable denture compared to traditional options, especially when chewing.
However, some movement may still occur, and sore spots can develop if food particles, such as seeds, get under the denture. Regular adjustments may also be necessary for optimal comfort.
Bar Attachment Denture
In this option, four to six implants are placed in your lower jaw and connected by a custom-made support bar. The denture is fitted with internal clips that snap firmly onto the bar, creating a secure hold.
This solution offers significantly more stability than ball attachments, with minimal movement of the denture. It is still removable, making cleaning and maintenance easier.
Screw Retained Denture
A third option involves placing five or more implants in your jaw and attaching a permanent denture. Your denture is held in place by screws or clasps that secure it to the support posts or bar. It doesn’t touch the gum tissue, which allows you to clean under the denture without removing it.
This denture will replace all your missing lower teeth and will not be removed except at maintenance visits. Although cleaning under your denture without removing it is more time-consuming and requires more dexterity, many patients who want a permanent denture prefer this option.
What If I’m Missing All of my Upper Teeth?
A similar range of treatment options is also available for your upper jaw. However, because the bone is not as hard as that in the lower jaw, people often need more implants to support their new replacement teeth.
Implant Retained Upper Denture
Depending on the number of implants to be placed, a complete denture may be possible to eliminate the need to cover the roof of your mouth. This option allows you to taste your food fully and gives you a better sense of its temperature. Your denture will also feel more natural.
Moreover, you will still have a removable denture, which makes cleaning the support bar and denture much easier.
Experience the Benefits of our Implant Retained Dentures
Implant retained dentures provide a reliable, functional, and natural-looking solution for patients needing extensive tooth replacement. Whether you’re addressing missing teeth in your upper or lower arch, we offer personalized options to suit your needs and oral health goals.
If you’re considering implant retained dentures, contact Dentistry at Kennestone today to schedule a consultation. We’ll help you find the best solution to restore your smile and confidence.
