Patients prescribed dentures may worry about their teeth becoming loose, slipping, or falling out while eating and talking. Removable dentures with implants, also known as overdentures and sometimes snap-in dentures, are a type of prosthetic dental appliance that attaches to small dental implants in your gums and are an excellent alternative to conventional dentures.
Find out how implant-supported removable dentures work and the benefits for your oral health.
The Procedure
The procedure for removable dentures with implants is a multi-step process and begins with placing tiny titanium posts into the jawbone. These mimic the shape of tooth roots and provide anchors for the denture plate.
Implant-retained removable dentures require only two implants to support the prosthesis. Depending on your specific situation, healing time can be anywhere from two to six months for the bone surrounding the implants to integrate completely.
To attach the denture, O-rings and snaps are placed onto each implant to act as a bridge between the implants and the denture after healing. This means that the denture plate sits on the implant posts, not your gums, preventing many issues common to traditional dentures, like irritation and slippage.
Afterward, daily cleaning habits and regular checkups help maintain optimal oral health and keep your new smile looking great.
Benefits of Removable Dentures With Implants
Removable dentures with implants offer many advantages over traditional dentures, including:
They’re More Affordable
Removable dentures with implants offer an affordable option that combines the stability of dental implants with the flexibility of dentures.
Increased Biting and Chewing power
Conventional dentures use adhesives and suction to adhere to the gums. Natural bite forces can reach up to 292 pounds per square inch, causing dentures to loosen, slip, or sustain damage. Because implants fuse with the jawbone, they can withstand the same forces as your natural tooth roots, helping to restore biting and chewing power and allowing patients to enjoy a wider variety of foods that would be difficult or impossible to eat with regular dentures.
Enhanced Appearance and Self-esteem
Numerous missing teeth can leave you reluctant to smile. Implant-retained removable dentures are a simple way to restore an entire arch of teeth, letting you speak and smile confidently. And because implants stimulate the jawbone, you are less likely to experience bone resorption and facial structure changes.
Easier Maintenance and Cleaning
They are easy to keep clean and require minimal maintenance. Remove the denture plate by snapping it out of the implant attachments, brush it with a denture brush using mild, soapy water, and clean your mouth, including the attachment points. With good oral hygiene habits, your implants can last a lifetime, while your denture plate may only need to be replaced every 15 years.
Clearer Speech
Removable dentures with implants use horseshoe-shaped upper dentures for the maxillary jaw, eliminating the need for full-palate coverage to accommodate dental adhesives. This makes your removable dentures less bulky, allowing your tongue to move freely for better articulation. The horseshoe shape also allows you to sense temperatures and taste more effectively, so you can enjoy your food more.
Comfort Designed Specifically for You
Traditional dentures are not the only solution for replacing missing teeth. Rather than take a one-treatment-fits-all approach at Smile On Dental Salon & Sleep Apnea Center, we strive to understand your specific smile goals. We offer several solutions for rejuvenating your smile and renewing your confidence, from conventional dentures to implant overdentures to implant-supported bridges.
To schedule a consultation to find out if you are a candidate for removable dentures with dental implants, contact us at our offices in Deerfield (224) 282-8939 and Lakeview (773) 525-5545.