An implant supported dentures Harrisonburg VA is an oral appliance that replaces several teeth at once. It’s similar to a traditional denture. But instead of resting on top of your gums, an implant-supported denture attaches directly to your jawbone using dental implants. Dental implants are tiny threaded posts that replace missing teeth roots. Implant-supported dentures offer improved stability for chewing, eating and speaking.
Your healthcare provider may recommend implant-supported dentures Harrisonburg VA if you’re missing most or all of your teeth. People who are missing several teeth in sporadic areas can benefit from implant-supported partial dentures. Your dentist can tell you which option is best for your situation.
Qualification for Dentures
To qualify for implant supported dentures Harrisonburg VA you must have enough bone in your jaw to accommodate the dental implants. In many cases, dental bone grafts can help add volume and density to areas where you’ve lost bone.
The Procedure of Treatment
The implant supported dentures Harrisonburg VA process usually requires multiple steps. But exact treatment depends on your specific situation. Your dentist can let you know what to anticipate.
Pre-prosthetic surgery
Before your dentist can place implants, they’ll need to extract any decayed or damaged teeth. They’ll also perform bone grafting in any areas where you’ve lost jawbone density. Depending on your situation, you may need to heal for a few months before implant placement. Your dentist will give you a healing denture to wear during this time.
Dental implant placement
During this procedure, a surgeon (usually a periodontist or oral surgeon) will place the dental implants into your jawbone. Generally, it takes about three to six months for the implants to integrate (fuse) with your jawbone. You’ll wear your healing denture while you wait for your implants to integrate.
Dental impressions
Once your dental implants have healed, your dentist will take impressions of your upper and lower dental arches. They’ll send the impressions to a dental lab so a technician can begin crafting your new dentures.
Denture placement
Finally, your dentist will attach your new custom implant supported dentures Harrisonburg VA to your implants. They can also demonstrate proper oral hygiene practices, as well as how to clean and care for your denture.
What is the recovery time?
Following dental implant placement, most people feel normal within one week. Your implants will continue to heal and integrate with your jaw over the next few months. In the meantime, you’ll wear a healing denture. A healing denture is functional, but it doesn’t attach to your dental implants. This allows your implants to heal properly.
On average, it takes between three and six months to heal after dental implant placement. It can take longer in some instances, especially if you had bone grafting, as well.
Are implant-supported dentures effective?
Implant supported dentures Harrisonburg VA are a lifelike and effective solution to tooth loss. Unlike their traditional counterparts, implant-supported dentures won’t shift, slip or wobble when you chew, eat or speak. In fact, many traditional denture wearers eventually upgrade to implant-supported dentures because they’re more comfortable and secure.
What is the difference between All-on-4 and implant-supported dentures?
The term “All-on-4” refers to a specific type of fixed implant denture. This method replaces an entire arch of missing teeth using just four dental implants.
Types of Dentures
Removable implant-supported dentures
This type of denture “snaps on” to dental implants in your jawbone. It stays securely in place until you’re ready to remove it. With this option, you can take your dentures out every day for easy cleaning.
Fixed implant-supported dentures
A fixed denture — sometimes called a hybrid denture — attaches permanently to dental implants in your jawbone. You can’t remove it at home, but your dentist can remove it for maintenance when necessary.
With this option, you can’t take your dentures out to clean them. You’ll brush them just like natural teeth, and you can clean underneath them using floss threaders, interproximal brushes and other special cleaning tools.
