What is an implant retained denture?
Implant retained dentures are a type of overdenture attached to dental implants, whereas conventional dentures only rest on top of the gums. The best candidate for implant-retained dentures is a person that doesn’t have any teeth but has enough bone in the jaw to support implants.
How do Implant retained dentures work?
Implant retained dentures stay in the mouth via mini-implants inserted inside the jaw. Many choose to have implant-retained dentures to help keep their dentures in place.
When there has been a lot of bone loss, traditional dentures tend to slip and slide inside the mouth. Implants can help retain the denture in a particular position to chew and speak more effectively. The implants rise just above your gum line, and the denture then clips onto these to secure itself into place.
Implant retained dentures involve several appointments. The first step is to have the implants placed into the jaw and then waiting up to three months for the implants to integrate with the bone in a process called osseointegration. Afterward, there are up to four more visits and several impressions to make the actual denture.
With implant-retained dentures, the gums will absorb more of the force of the bite. The number of implants that are required are less, so treatment is more cost-effective, and often it may be possible to use mini dental implants.
Dental implants can frequently be situated to maximize the use of available bone in areas where it is naturally thicker and more robust, eliminating the need for bone grafts. While these dentures help restore a patient’s ability to talk confidently and eat comfortably, they do not fully replicate a natural bite. Click here for more information.
How do I take care of my Implant retained dentures?
Like natural teeth, your implant-retained dentures should be carefully cleaned every day using a denture brush and toothpaste to remove food particles and debris.
Don’t forget the implants should also be well cleaned with a toothbrush and toothpaste at least once a day. Plaque can build up on and around the implants just as it does on your teeth and cause infection in the gums.
Most dentists highly recommend their patients use an oral irrigator to help reduce plaque buildup around their implants. The WaterPik comes with specialized tips that are especially effective for use with dental implants.
Keep hygiene visits at least every six months. In addition to checking your mouth for infection and oral cancer during these hygiene visits, we will also evaluate the denture’s fit and the integrity of the implants.
Your denture will require professional maintenance from time to time, as will your dental implants. Implants should be cleaned professionally at least once per year.
Can I sleep with my Implant Retained Dentures?
Sleeping with your dentures in place is not recommended for the simple reason that your gums need to breathe and “air out” at some point. Having gum tissue covered by a hard acrylic can cause it to become swollen, infected, and sore.
Contact us at our dental implant center in Irving, Texas to discover all your options for our dental implants. We look forward to meeting you!
