Implant Dentures – San Antonio, TX
A Truly Complete New Smile
Traditional dentures allow you to replace all of the teeth in a single arch, but as reliable as they are, they do have their limitations. In particular, they can often slip when you’re trying to speak or chew, leading to embarrassing situations. With dental implants acting as artificial tooth roots, you can make sure that your new teeth always stay anchored to your jaw. Are you interested in completely restoring your smile with implant dentures? Reach out today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Patel.
Why Choose HIC Dental – Implant & Family Dentistry for Implant Dentures?
- Dental Implant Procedure Completed In-House
- Saturday Appointments Available
- Honest and Compassionate Dental Team
What Are Implant Dentures?
Dental implants are screwlike posts typically made out of titanium. They’re designed to be placed in your jaw so that they can support a restoration. We can combine dental implants with dentures to replace multiple missing teeth at once. Compared to traditional tooth replacement options, dental implants look and feel very natural; they’re often said to be the next best thing to getting your original teeth back.
Depending on your situation, our team might recommend either fixed implant dentures or removable implant dentures.
Fixed/Permanent Implant Dentures
Fixed implant dentures are designed to remain in the mouth for 24 hours a day. This makes them very easy to care for, as you can just brush and floss normally. They also feel so lifelike that some people even occasionally forget that they have dentures in the first place. About four to six implant posts are required to support fixed implant dentures.
Removable Implant Dentures
Removable implant dentures are made to snap on and off dental implant posts as needed. (For this reason, they are sometimes referred to as “Snap-On” dentures.) Compared to fixed implant dentures, removable implant dentures don’t require as many implant posts, so they may be a better choice for patients with less jawbone density.
The Implant Denture Process
The process of getting implant dentures isn’t exactly the same for every patient, but it usually follows these steps:
- An initial consultation is held so that we can examine your mouth and confirm your candidacy for dental implants. Certain preliminary treatments might need to be completed before the next step begins.
- During dental implant surgery, your gums are opened, and implant posts are carefully placed in your jaw. The gums are then closed, and a protective cap is placed on each post.
- Over the course of three to six months, the dental implants fuse with the jawbone. Then, each post receives a metal connector piece called an abutment.
- The last step is to place the final denture, which will be designed based on a detailed impression of your mouth. We’ll attach the denture to the implants and perform a last-minute check to ensure that it fits properly.
Am I a Candidate for Implant Dentures?
If you’ve lost most or all of the teeth in a single arch and are tired of dealing with traditional dentures, implant dentures may be right for you. We’ll need to confirm that you’re healthy enough to have surgery done, and we’ll identify any issues that have to be addressed before beginning the implant process. For example, if you don’t have enough jawbone density for your desired type of implant denture, a bone graft may be necessary.
Benefits of Combining Dentures & Dental Implants
Implant dentures are well worth the investment thanks to the benefits they offer:
- They provide around 85% of the biting force of the natural teeth, allowing you to comfortably enjoy most foods.
- They won’t slip at inopportune moments, so you’ll always be able to speak with confidence.
- They can improve your self-esteem since they look and feel virtually identical to your original smile.
- They can stimulate your jawbone to prevent bone loss.
- They only require minimal maintenance and can last for decades.