Implant Retained Dentures Louisville, KY & New Albany, IN
Implant retained dentures are a terrific alternative to traditional dentures if you require full replacement of your teeth in an arch. Implant retained dentures can restore an entire arch of teeth to functioning like your natural teeth with only two to six implants. By needing fewer implants, the implant retained dentures are less invasive and more affordable. This restoration makes it easier to bite, eat, and talk without discomfort.
What is Implant Retained Dentures?
Instead of resting on your gums and secured with a dental adhesive, implant retained dentures will clip or snap onto surgically placed dental implants, remaining securely in place until you take them out for cleaning. You will enjoy having teeth that feel stable, secure, and strong. This restoration option is a very cost-effective way to restore your ability to bite, chew, eat, and speak naturally, comfortably, and confidently. PerioImplant Associates will use two to four dental implants to secure the lower denture. Lower dentures are more problematic because they rely on a bony ridge for support and retention. Implant retained dentures for your upper arch can need more dental implants for support, but it comes with a bonus. The implant retained upper denture is designed in a horseshoe shape, just like the lower, so it will feel less bulky, and your upper palate will be uncovered. It will be more comfortable to wear, exposing more taste buds, allowing you to easily taste your food.
The Benefits of Implant Retained Dentures
In comparison to a traditional denture, implant retained dentures offer a quite a few benefits:
- The snap on denture design provides better security and stability.
- You will find it much easier to bite, chew, eat and talk.
- Security and stability lasting throughout your entire day.
- The dental implants improve your current jawbone health, stopping jawbone atrophy.
- No sore spots from slippage on your gums.
- Far more comfortable to wear.
- A slimmer, more natural design.
- No dental adhesives are ever needed.
- No slippage, they will never fall out.
Contact Our Practice Today
Our goal is to get you back to smiling and chewing with confidence. With our qualified staff and compassionate team, we will listen to your questions and desires to find the best solution for your dental health.
The Implant Retained Denture Procedure
At your initial exam, PerioImplant Associates will review your dental and medical history, take the necessary X-rays, and then create impressions of your gums so that we can make a model. We may add a computed tomography (CT) scan of your mouth. This scan will show us the exact location of your nerves and your sinus cavity. A CT scan also identifies the jawbone density and helps us determine the precise placement for your implants. If you are currently not wearing a denture, we will now provide one. You will use this temporary denture until the implant retained denture procedure is finished.
We surgically place the dental implants in the jawbone at the front of your mouth because there is more natural jawbone density to work with. Once you lose your teeth, you begin to lose jawbone mass in that area. Also, the front of the jaw does not have as many nerves that will interfere with the placement of your implants.
Two surgeries are usually required. With the first one PerioImplant Associates surgically places the titanium implant posts into your jawbone. The second surgery then exposes the tops of these posts so we can add extensions or abutments to reach the surface of your gumline. The second procedure comes several months after the first allowing the posts adequate time to grow, fuse, or integrate with your jawbone. After the second surgery is finished and the gums are healed, we will place your final set of custom designed dentures on either your ball retained, or bar retained system and your new implant retained denture is completed.
How Do Implant Retained Dentures Work
There are two versions of implant retained dentures, either ball-retained or bar-retained. With both versions, the denture appliance will be a custom designed acrylic tray from a dental lab that will look like your gums. Fabricated custom porcelain or acrylic artificial teeth, which look like your natural teeth, are then attached to the base. Both versions require at least two dental implants for support.
- Ball-retained dentures (stud-attachment dentures) — Each dental implant that is surgically placed in your jawbone aligns perfectly with a clip on the underside of the denture tray. The attachments on the top of the implant posts are ball-shaped, and they fit into sockets on the denture tray.
- Bar-retained dentures — A very thin metal bar designed to follow the exact curve of your jaw is attached to the dental implants that have been placed in your jawbone. Then clips are fitted to the denture. The denture fits snuggly on top of the bar and is secured with the clips.
Your Implant Retained Dentures Treatment Costs
The cost of your implant retained denture treatment will vary based on your specific personal needs and your individual treatment plan. We will discuss with you the cost of your implant retained dentures treatment and each of your available payment options before we begin, so that you can make the best choice for your objectives and lifestyle.
Our Specialists Tell Our Story Best
Ramsey Burton, DMD
Dr. Ramsey Burton is originally from Nashville, TN. He received both his undergraduate and doctorate degrees from the University of Louisville. Following dental school, he completed periodontal specialty training at the University of Kentucky.
Courtney Shearer, DMD, MS
Dr. Courtney Shearer was born and raised in Louisville, KY. She attended Washington and Lee University for her undergraduate degree. She then attended the University of Louisville School of Dentistry where she received her Doctorate in Dentistry.
Jodie Lusby, DMD, MSD
Dr. Jodie Lusby is a Board Certified Periodontist and grew up in Florence, KY. He attended the University of Kentucky where he received his biology degree and graduated Magna Cum Laude. He then attended the Louisville School of Dentistry.
A Warm and Caring Welcome to Our Practice
The entire staff at PerioImplant Associates has one primary focus, and that is to provide outstanding dental care for you. It can be natural for you to feel anxious about seeing a general dentist, or even a specialist such as a periodontist. Understanding those feelings, our team always take the time to explain the benefits of the procedure that is being proposed for your treatment. Both offices, Louisville, KY, and New Albany, IN, are extensively trained to address all your dental issues and concerns. We will share the aspects of periodontal treatment, introduce our staff, and explain our general office policies. Call us today about an evaluation for an implant supported dentures procedure for you. Each one of us will greet you with a huge smile and send you home with a healthy smile of your own that you will love to share.