What are Implant Retained Dentures?
Implant retained dentures are one type of denture available to patients who are missing a significant number of teeth on one or both arches. For some, a traditional denture may not be the best solution. Fortunately, implant retained dentures might be what those patients are looking for.
What is an implant retained denture?
An implant retained denture is a dental prosthesis that uses surgically placed dental implants to fit securely into the patient’s mouth. Traditional dentures rely on tension and adhesion to stay in place but can still slip around and eventually become ill fitting.
Since the traditional denture rests on top of the gums, the jaw bone will begin to deteriorate and the denture will no longer fit. Dental implants act as the root of a tooth which helps stimulate bone regeneration and prevents the deterioration that often comes with years of wearing traditional dentures.
One of the greatest benefits of implant retained dentures is the stability that comes with them! The denture will snap on to your dental implants and remain securely in place until you remove them each night to clean them and sleep. This gives patients more confidence and more comfort when eating and speaking.
Implant retained dentures are more invasive than traditional dentures since the patient must receive dental implant surgery. The dental implants are surgically placed into the jaw bone and allowed to heal for up to six months while the implant integrates with the bone. During this time, you will be wearing a temporary denture that will help protect the implants.
Once your implants are fully integrated, your dentist will fabricate a new denture specifically designed to snap onto your dental implants. Nylon rings are fitted onto the implant and are what hold the denture in place. The rings will need to be replaced every so often as they wear out and lose strength.
Who can have implant retained dentures?
Patients who are otherwise healthy and have good bone structure may benefit from implant retained dentures. If your oral surgeon determines that you do not have enough bone structure, they may recommend that you have a preparatory surgery called a bone graft.
A bone graft allows your surgeon to place synthetic bone or bone harvested from another part of the mouth into the area that will receive the dental implant. This procedure does add a significant amount of healing time but in the long run, you can be sure that your implants will last as long as possible and the overall health of your mouth will be ensured.
Implant retained dentures are more costly than traditional dentures initially but over time, may be less expensive. Traditional dentures have to be replaced every 10 years or so as the structure of your jaw changes and the denture no longer fits. Implant retained dentures can last up to 20 years and the implants themselves can last a lifetime.