Tooth loss affects tens of millions of Americans every day, and over 40 million are missing all of their teeth! While modern dentures may be more natural-looking than ever, they aren’t necessarily for everyone. Whether you’re missing all teeth in either of your dental arches or you’re not happy with your current denture, you may want to consider implant dentures in Flint as an alternative. Give Healthy Smiles Dental a call and speak with our dentists today to learn more about your options!
Dental implants are prosthetic tooth replacements designed to replace teeth all the way down to the root. As a result, your replacement teeth feels more natural than a traditional denture. By placing a series of dental implants throughout the jaw, we can create a customized denture designed to snap on top. On top of feeling more lifelike, your implant denture will be more comfortable and functional than dentures that simply rest on top of your gums. Based on your needs, we can recommend two types of implant dentures for you to choose from:
Sometimes called a hybrid prosthesis, a fixed implant denture is designed to stay attached to dental implants after it is initially placed. In most cases, four to six dental implants are placed throughout the mouth, meaning you’ll need sufficient bone tissue for it to remain stable. However, it also makes at-home maintenance as straightforward as possible.
Often called a “Snap-On” denture, removable dentures can be taken out as needed, including for detailed cleaning. The prosthesis remains attached through either clips or ball sockets to provide it the best stability possible. Since the denture can be removed, you won’t need as many implants to keep it in place, (usually two to five in most cases).
Our office places dental implants entirely in-house, making it easier to keep your tooth replacement process as streamlined as possible. The process involves completing a consultation to best understand your needs, surgically placing the implants into the jaw, giving your mouth time to heal and the implants several months to fuse with your jawbone, and finally placing the prosthesis. While this process does take several months longer to complete than receiving a denture, most people believe it’s worth the extra time and money.
Most adults with positive oral health are good candidates for dental implants. However, there are a few specific prerequisites you’ll need to fulfil before we can confirm your eligibility to begin treatment. For example, you’ll need to have sufficient bone tissue for the implants to fuse properly. Additionally, you’ll need to have good overall health so you can undergo minor surgery. We’ll break down the requirements necessary to receive implant dentures in more detail during your consultation.
Implant dentures offer many benefits, including those you wouldn’t find with traditional dentures, such as: