What are implant dentures?
Implant dentures are custom oral prosthetics that attach to dental implants, which are posts of titanium placed beneath your gums. Because implant dentures connect to posts that fuse with your jaw, they’re much less likely to slide around. That means you can chew, bite, and speak comfortably.
Implant dentures look and feel like your permanent teeth. With daily brushing and flossing and routine visits to Patrick Ryan, DMD, they often last a lifetime.
What are the advantages of implant dentures?
Implant dentures provide various advantages, including:
- Convenience
- Durability
- Easier biting and chewing
- Improved oral health
Implant dentures also make you appear younger. Replacing missing teeth with dental implants restores structure to your jaw, making the skin around your mouth less likely to wrinkle and fold.
What does getting implant dentures involve?
At Patrick Ryan, DMD, getting implant dentures takes three appointments:
First appointment
At the first appointment, your provider asks about your goals for treatment and conducts an oral exam.
Then, they take a series of X-rays to assess the health of your gums and jaw. If you have enough bone to support the implants, they administer a local anesthetic and place a series of posts between your gums.
Following implant placement, your surgeon provides care instructions for recovery.
Second appointment
When the implants have fused with your jaw, 12-16 weeks later, you return to Patrick Ryan, DMD. Your surgeon takes digital impressions of your mouth and sends them to a dental laboratory, which manufactures a custom set of dentures.
Third appointment
When the laboratory finishes your dentures, you return to the office for the final phase. Your surgeon administers a local anesthetic and attaches the dentures to your implants, restoring your healthy and vibrant smile.
How do I care for implant dentures?
You care for implant dentures like you would your natural teeth. The team at Patrick Ryan, DMD, recommends brushing and flossing daily and visiting the office two times a year for an oral exam and professional teeth cleaning.
To prevent damage to your dentures, wear a mouthguard if you play contact sports, and avoid bad habits like chewing on ice cubes or opening objects with your teeth.
To see if implant dentures will benefit you, make an appointment at the practice of Patrick Ryan, DMD, by calling the nearest office or booking online today.
