Implant Supported Dentures
St. George, UT
 Implant Options For Full Arch Replacement
Implant-supported dentures, also called snap-in dentures, are a more permanent form of denture that offers better function and user-friendliness than traditional dentures. These are supported by dental implants, which are placed in the jawbone and gums. At Precision Dental Specialties, we will design a pair of fully customized implant-supported dentures for you and walk you through the entire process.
Denture Materials
There are several components to consider with implant-supported dentures. First, the dental implants, themselves are made of titanium. Though it is extremely rare, titanium allergies can occur and should be considered before this procedure. Regarding the dentures, the base is made of plastic and designed to look like your natural gumline. The false teeth on the dentures can be made of a variety of materials, such as glass ionomer, composite resin, or porcelain. These dentures will also have wires or metal clips that allow them to attach to the implants.
Procedure
Implant-supported dentures are customized for the individual patient. Before we can craft them, we will need to get dental x-rays and a mold of your teeth. Our lab then uses these to craft your custom dentures.
The x-rays also allow our oral surgeon to determine if your jawbone is strong enough to handle implants. If not, there may need to be an initial procedure done to strengthen the bone. For example, sinus augmentation increases the amount of bone tissue available in the upper jaw. Ridge modification is another available procedure where we can use a bone graft to regrow sections of your jawbone. There are also dental implants available that do not penetrate the bone, though these are not the preferred option since they are less stable.
Once your jaw is ready, we will schedule you for implant surgery. Our oral surgeon will cut into your gum and bone to make space for the implant. Some of this tissue may need to be reshaped or removed at this time. Once they are in place, the incision is sutured, and the surgery site is left to heal for several months. This gives the implants time to fuse with your natural tissues.
There are several types of dentures available, so you may either get a fixed or a removable denture. These are placed after the tissue has healed so that they will not need to be readjusted in the future as the swelling goes down. For permanent fixtures, we can use dental cement, which hardens under a special light, to keep them in place. For removable dentures, we will explain to you how they snap in and out so you can remove them on your own as needed.
Maintenance
Fixed dentures should be treated in the same way as natural teeth. Continue to brush twice daily and floss once daily to maintain good oral hygiene. You may also want to eat soft foods only while you heal from any dental procedures.
Removable dentures should be cleaned daily with soap and warm water. They should also be stored in water or a denture cleaning solution when not in use. For more information about implant-supported dentures, call Precision Dental Specialties at 435-522-5629. |
