If you are considering dentures, you may benefit from choosing a more permanent solution. When Dr. SanGiacomo and Dr. Perrotta find their patients needing a full arch replacement, they often recommend permanent dentures in Bethel, CT. These implant supported dentures offer the stability patients want without the invasiveness and cost associated with a full set of dental implants. If that sounds like a solution that would work for you, consider the following questions to gain a better understanding of the treatment.
Implant-supported dentures consist of the traditional overdenture that sits on the gums. However, unlike regular dentures, these are affixed to the mouth with the help of implants. They are only an option for patients who do not have any teeth, but who still retain the jaw bone density required to support the load of an implant.
While the implants are surgically placed in your jaw, the denture remains removable. This is ideal because it allows patients to thoroughly clean both their dentures and the gums underneath them. Just like their traditional counterpart, implant-supported dentures should not be used while sleeping.
Implant-supported dentures come in two main types: ball-retained and bar-retained. Both start with an acrylic base that is shaped to look like gums and is created with either a ball and socket attachment or a bar. Acrylic or porcelain teeth are then added to the base to mimic the look of natural teeth. Both bar- and ball-retained types require at least two dental implants for proper stability and support. The dentures simply attach to the implants using either the bar or ball method, and they are securely fixed in place until the wearer decides to remove them.
Patients need to be evaluated to determine if implant-supported dentures are a possibility. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation with one of our doctors and take the first steps to regaining your smile.