Implant Dentures – Columbia, TN
Add Strength and Stability to Your Dentures
Tooth loss is a common problem our patients face, and many have used dentures to restore their smiles. Although they provide many benefits, traditional dentures can become loose and ill-fitting over time, leading to trouble chewing or even “slips” during conversations. Fortunately, we have a great solution: implant dentures in Columbia! Our experienced team of dentists at Beck Dental Care of Columbia has used implants to dramatically improve many of our patient’s dentures. If you want better function and more confidence from your dentures, give us a call today to schedule a consultation!
What Are Implant Dentures?
Implant dentures are a lot like traditional dentures, but the difference is that they’re anchored into place with dental implants. There are various types, including removable and fixed. Let’s take a closer look at each option:
Fixed/Permanent Implant Dentures
A fixed or permanent implant denture must be removed by one of our dentists in Columbia because it’s “bolted” onto the implants. You’ll wear it while eating, brushing, sleeping, and any other daily activities.
Removable Implant Dentures
A removable implant denture essentially snaps onto your implants, so you can remove them and put them back in on your own. You’ll only have to remove them occasionally for maintenance and cleaning.
The Implant Denture Process
Getting implant dentures is done in phases. During the first phase of treatment, we’ll do any dental work that’s necessary beforehand such as extractions, gum therapy, or bone grafts.
The second phase is placing the implants in your jaw, which our team can do right here during a small, in-office surgery. In many cases, just 2-6 implants are needed per arch. Then we’ll give the implants several months to integrate, or bond, with the surrounding jawbone. During this time, we can make a temporary denture you can use until your permanent one is made.
Finally, once the implants have fully healed, you’ll come back a final time so we can deliver your permanent denture and make sure everything feels great.
Am I a Candidate for Implant Dentures?
Since everyone is unique, the best way to find out if implant dentures are right for you is to schedule a consultation with one of our dentists. With decades of experience and advanced implant training, we’ll start by thoroughly evaluating your needs so we can recommend the best solution for your smile.
Here are some of the factors we’ll look at:
- Jawbone density
- Medical and dental history
- Lifestyle choices such as tobacco use
- Gum health and oral hygiene habits
- Current medications
Benefits of Combining Dentures & Dental Implants
By using dental implants in Columbia in combination with dentures, we can give our patients the best of both worlds: all the benefits of a full denture along with the stability of dental implants. Below, you’ll find some of the advantages you have to look forward to:
- When a denture is securely anchored with implants, the need for dental adhesive is greatly reduced or eliminated entirely.
- You’ll have a lot more chewing power and stability to help you comfortably eat your favorite foods
- Your dentures won’t become loose over time or need frequent adjustments, so your maintenance costs will be much lower.
Want to know more about how implant dentures can benefit you? Give us a call today!
Implant Dentures FAQs
Are Implant Dentures Removable?
Yes, if you get implant dentures, you will be able to remove them from your mouth yourself without the help of a dental professional. They just need to be detached from the bar or ball they are attached to. You should remove your dentures to clean them every day, and you should remove them before you go to sleep at night. Overnight, keep your dentures in a denture-soaking solution to keep them from drying out.
Are Implant Dentures Permanent?
Yes! The great thing about implant dentures is the fact that they are made to last for several decades. With traditional dentures, patients need to have their dentures relined or replaced every few years. On the other hand, implant dentures can stay in good shape for more than twenty years. Implant dentures cost more than traditional dentures, but you can save by not needing frequent changes made.
Can I Get Implant Dentures If I Currently Have Traditional Ones?
Even if you’ve worn traditional dentures for many years, you can still make the switch to implant dentures. Implant dentures allow for additional stability and other benefits that you can’t get from traditional dentures. If you have been missing your natural teeth for many years, you likely have experienced bone loss, so you might need to undergo a bone graft before you can have dental implants placed to support a new denture. During your consultation with us, we can discuss your situation in more detail.
Is Getting Implant Dentures Painful?
The first step in a dental implant placement procedure is to numb the area with a local anesthetic, so you shouldn’t feel a thing. You may experience some soreness for a few days afterward, but this can be managed with recommended over-the-counter and prescribed pain relievers. Thanks to advanced techniques and modern dental technology, pain isn’t something you need to worry about when it comes to dental procedures like this.
Who Makes a Good Candidate for Implant Dentures?
Just like many dental procedures, you must meet all of the criteria. This includes having a strong, healthy jawbone and not having any current oral health issues, like gum disease or tooth decay. During your consultation, we will examine your smile and go over your medical history to see if you make a good candidate, if we run into any dental problems, these will need to be addressed before we can move forward with the dental implant process.