What Are Implant Dentures and How Do They Work?

Have you been living a life of constant misery ever since you lost all your teeth? Are you seeking a one shot solution to this issue? If yes, then there’s nothing better for you than implant dentures! “But what are implant dentures?” Don’t worry if that’s the first question that popped up in your mind after reading the above statement.You’re not alone in asking this question. 

Many people, especially those who have been out of touch with the restorative space for a long time, are just as clueless about implant dentures. Or they may have heard about implant support dentures but don’t really understand how they work or could be beneficial for them.

In any case, knowing about implant dentures can be a stepping stone in your fight against edentulism.  It could just be that one perfect solution you’ve been looking for all this time, but you can’t be certain about it unless you take the first step (i.e., know about implant dentures). If this hits the right spot, this blog is for you! Read this blog to get acquainted with implant denture basics, including what they are and how they work.

What Are Implant Dentures?

Let’s address first things first: what are implant dentures? Know that “implant dentures”, “implant supported dentures”, and “dentures over implants” all of these terms refer to the same thing. They all refer to a particular setup of dentures (full arch prosthetic teeth bonded on a gum colored base) that are surgically attached to dental implants placed in the jawbone. It’s also called a “permanent” denture because of its fixed nature; it’s not removable/detachable like regular gum supported dentures but is permanently screwed to implants.

Now what are dental implants? Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that work to anchor (and hence stabilize and support) artificial teeth directly to the jawbone in the absence of a solid foundation. You can get implants + a prosthesis (like a crown, bridge or denture) to comprehensively replace any number of missing teeth. The core idea is to replace the roots with implants and the visible teeth with a prosthesis.

In the case of fully edentulous patients (i.e. patients who have lost all of their natural teeth), implants provide the much needed foundational support to dentures required for them to settle and sustain in the mouth for several decades.

Benefits Of Implant Dentures 

The above definition of implant dentures may have given the impression that they ‘structurally’ replace missing teeth in fully edentulous patients in a pretty comprehensive fashion. This is an understated impression, and there’s so much more to implant dentures than that. It’s not just a replacement based on a structural mimicry of real teeth; it actually replicates real teeth in the functional aspect as well by:

• Allowing the prosthesis to deliver a strong bite force and chewing power so the patient can eat a variety of foods with comfort.
• Yielding smooth and uninterrupted speaking ability.
• Keeping the prosthesis strong and durable.
• Maintaining absolute comfort for the patient by being perfectly fitted to the jaw. You don’t have to worry about the denture slipping, dislodging or moving at all.
• Stimulating the jawbone to maintain its structure and health.

Moreover, implant dentures score a 10/10 when it comes to aesthetics as well. Since they have a perfect fit, they don’t look overtly fake (as regular dentures tend to) but have a very natural look.

How Do Implant Dentures Work?

At this point, you must be impressed and even quite thrilled by the idea of implants and the prospect of them transforming your life for the better. However, you must also be feeling a bit unsettled because you don’t know how implants work. Also, we mentioned surgery earlier, which might have possibly triggered a wave of fear or skepticism in you. You don’t have to feel any of this, though your feelings are natural. Know that implant dentures work in a very safe and minimally invasive manner, and the chances of treatment success are fortunately very high (90-95% of all implant cases are successful).

Here’s how they work:

• The implants get surgically inserted into the edentulous jawbone. It’s a minimally invasive surgery that involves making small incisions/punches into the gums and then accessing the underlying jawbone via them. Narrow holes are then made into the jawbone (that extend quite high up in the bone) to make space for implant insertion.
• 4-6 implants are generally placed into the jaw depending on jawbone strength and relevant stability requirements. 
• First, the implant fixtures (posts) are inserted into the holes made in the jaw. 
• Next, the implant abutments (connectors) are placed over the fixtures. 
• Once the implant fixtures and abutments are firmly placed into the jaw, a temporary prosthesis (denture) is finally loaded onto the implants.
• The gums are stitched close after implant placement is complete to allow the freshly placed implants to heal and integrate fully with the jaw.
• Initial implant healing takes about 2 weeks after surgery. The first few days are painful (and come with disturbing post-op symptoms like swelling, redness, bruising, etc.) but it becomes easily manageable with pain medicines and post surgical care.
• After initial healing, the osseointegration phase begins. This is the phase where the implants actively (but silently) bond with the jawbone on a cellular level. It’s what allows the implants to have a solid place in the jaw, which is essentially what allows them to act like tooth roots (to hold and support the dentures firmly in place). The osseointegration phase roughly stretches 4-6 months.
• Once the implants are fully integrated with the jaw, the temporary denture is offloaded and replaced with the permanent set.

Note: The entire implant placement procedure described above can either be completed in a single day (same day implants) or it may take several months if you opt for the traditional placement route.

Conclusion 

To conclude, implant dentures are the most comfortable, durable and dependable teeth replacement solution for fully edentulous patients. They combine the restorative ability of dentures with the stability of implants, giving you a truly permanent replacement for your missing teeth.

Want to have your first ever implant consultation? Schedule a FREE one with Dental Care And Implants, a premium dental practice located in Texas, USA. Talk to our team of implant experts and pave your way to a healthy and beautiful smile!