Implant-Supported Dentures in Bakersfield, CA
Enjoy Smiling Again!
Are your missing teeth holding you back from smiling freely? With implant dentures, you can enjoy your smile again. As a graduate of the Resnik Implant Institute, Dr. Garger is here to help you transform not just your smile but your life.
If you’re interested in learning more about our dental implant treatments, contact our Bakersfield dental office today by calling 661-664-9900.
What Are Implant-Supported Dentures?
Implant-supported dentures, also known as overdentures, are an improved version of traditional dentures. Unlike conventional dentures that rest on the gums and may slip, implant-supported dentures clip or attach to dental implants surgically placed in your jawbone.
A dental implant is a small titanium post surgically inserted into the jawbone to serve as the foundation for the final denture itself. Once the implant has fused with the jawbone, an abutment is placed on top of the implant. The abutment attaches the denture to the implant, providing a secure and stable fit.
There are two types:
- Bar-retained dentures: These dentures clip onto a thin metal bar that’s surgically implanted in the jawbone. The denture has matching clips that securely snap onto the bar for a stable fit.
- Ball-retained dentures: These dentures use a system of ball-shaped attachments on the implants and corresponding sockets in the denture. This creates a secure connection that allows for a good range of motion while keeping the denture stable.
Benefits of Implant-Supported Dentures
Replacing your missing teeth with implant-supported dentures provides multiple benefits, including:
- Enhanced Stability: The biggest advantage is the secure fit of implant dentures. Anchored by implants, they won’t slip or move around in your mouth, allowing you to confidently eat, speak, and smile. No more embarrassing moments of denture shifting or clicking.
- Increased Comfort: Traditional dentures can rub against the gums, causing irritation and soreness. Implant-supported dentures distribute pressure more evenly, reducing discomfort and improving your quality of life.
- Preserve Bone Health: Dentures can accelerate bone loss in the jaw since they don’t stimulate the bone like natural teeth. Implants fuse with the jawbone, mimicking the function of a tooth root and helping to maintain bone health. This can contribute to a more youthful facial appearance.
- Durability: Implant-supported dentures are typically more durable than traditional dentures and may last for many years with proper care.
- Confidence Boost: Knowing your dentures are secure can significantly improve your confidence in social situations. You won’t have to worry about them slipping or falling out while you’re eating, talking, or laughing.
- Improved Speech: With fixed implant-supported dentures, you’ll have better control over your tongue and lips, leading to clearer and more natural-sounding speech.
- Reduced Need for Denture Adhesives: No more messy adhesives are required to keep your dentures in place.
Possible Cons
While there are many benefits to implant dentures, there are some potential drawbacks patients should know:
- Cost: They can be more expensive, with costs ranging from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars.
- Surgical procedure: These dentures require dental implant surgery to place the implant posts, which can be invasive and require recovery time.
- Not suitable for everyone: Not all individuals are candidates. People who suffer bone loss may require bone grafting before implant placement, and people with certain systemic health conditions may not be good candidates.
- Temporary discomfort: Some temporary discomfort or pain may be associated with the implant surgery and the healing process.
- Risk of implant failure: Although rare, there’s a risk of implant failure, which can occur if the dental implant doesn’t fuse properly during the healing phase.
Getting Implant-Supported Dentures
Did your dentist recommend implant-supported dentures? If so, you can expect to undergo the following:
- Initial Appointment: You’ll schedule your first appointment so our dentist can evaluate your oral health, discuss your dental history, and determine if implant dentures are the best solution for your needs.
- Implant Placement: The next step involves the surgical placement of dental implants into the jawbone. These implants serve as artificial tooth roots and provide a stable foundation for the dentures. The number of implants required varies depending on individual needs, but typically, four to six implants are placed for each arch of dentures.
- Healing: Over three to six months, the posts will naturally fuse with the bone in a process called osseointegration. This is necessary to provide a stable foundation for your denture restoration.
- Abutment Placement: Once the implants have fused with the jawbone, abutments (small connector pieces) are attached to the implants. These abutments will protrude above the gumline and serve as attachment points for the dentures.
- Denture Fabrication: With the abutments in place, impressions of your mouth are taken to create custom dentures that will attach to the implants. These dentures are designed to fit securely and comfortably over the abutments.
- Denture Attachment: The final step involves attaching the dentures to the abutments. The dentures may be fixed permanently in place or designed to be removable for easier cleaning and maintenance.
Are You a Candidate?
To qualify for implant-supported dentures, individuals should:
- Have sufficient bone density
- Be in good overall health
- Be able to maintain an excellent oral hygiene routine
- Have realistic expectations
To find out more about implant-supported dentures, contact our Bakersfield dentist today. He’ll evaluate your oral health, discuss your smile goals, and provide the best options for your situation.
How to Care for Your Implant Dentures
Caring for implant-supported dentures is easier than caring for conventional dentures. After receiving your tooth replacement, make sure you do the following to ensure longevity:
- Brush Regularly: Just like natural teeth, implant-supported dentures should be brushed at least twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. This helps remove plaque and food particles, preventing bacteria buildup and gum disease.
- Floss Daily: Use dental floss or interdental brushes to clean between the implant-supported dentures and around the abutments. This helps remove plaque and debris from hard-to-reach areas, reducing the risk of gum inflammation and infection.
- Use Antimicrobial Rinse: Rinse your mouth with an antimicrobial mouthwash as recommended by your dentist. This can help reduce bacteria in the mouth and around the implants.
- Maintain Regular Dental Visits: Schedule regular dental exams with our dentist in Bakersfield to monitor the health of your implant-supported dentures and the surrounding tissues.
- Avoid Hard Foods: Be cautious when eating hard or sticky foods that can exert excessive pressure on implant dentures and increase the risk of damage. Opt for softer foods and cut hard items into smaller, manageable pieces to protect the dentures and implants.
- Quit Smoking: If you smoke, consider quitting or reducing your smoking habits. Smoking can impair healing after implant surgery and increase the risk of implant failure and gum disease.
- Protect Your Dentures: Avoid habits that can damage your fixed implant denture, such as using them as tools to open packages or biting on hard objects like pens or fingernails. Store your dentures in a protective case when not in use to prevent damage or loss.
- Follow Dentist’s Instructions: Follow any specific care instructions provided by your dentist for your implant-supported dentures. This may include using specialized cleaning products or techniques tailored to your individual needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Implant-supported dentures can last for many years, sometimes even a lifetime, with proper care and maintenance. You can increase the longevity of your restoration as long as you follow a rigorous at-home oral hygiene routine and visit your dentist twice a year for checkups.
Unlike traditional dentures, implant-supported dentures are permanently anchored to the jawbone and aren’t removable. Only a qualified dentist can remove the restoration. Please don’t remove the restoration yourself, as this can cause serious damage.
The number of implants needed varies depending on the individual case. Typically, four to six implants are used to support a full arch of dentures, while two to four implants may support a partial denture.
See How Dental Implants Combined with Dentures Can Improve Your Health!
If you’re looking for a denture solution that doesn’t require messy adhesives or cause slipping and sliding around in the mouth, implant-supported dentures may be for you. For those in Bakersfield, contact our experienced dentist today. We’ll help you determine the best option to replace your missing teeth and achieve your smile goals.